Sweater Pillows the Easy Way!
Sweater pillows are a great way to repurpose those old or damaged sweaters. Learn how to make your own easy sweater throw pillow covers.
A week ago I showed you how to make a pillow using a fringed fleece scarf. But I’ve also made them with old sweaters. Today I’m going to show you an easy way to make sweater pillows, because who doesn’t love easy! The best part is you use up the whole sweater – zero waste, here we come!
Turning Sweaters into Throw Pillows
Let’s just start by saying I have a lot of sweaters to work with! If you don’t have them, ask family and friends if they have any they’re ready to let go of. Or check your local thrift store – they’ll have lots of different types and patterns to choose from!
Here’s what I started with, an old patterned sweater with sleeves and a turtle neck and a sweater vest. As you’ll see, any sweater shape will do!
Supplies Needed to Make Sweater Pillows
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- old sweater ready to be upcycled
- scissors
- needle and thread in coordinating color
- another piece of soft clothing for the stuffing (or cotton/polyester batting)
How to Make a Throw Pillow Cover from Sweaters
Let’s start with the vest. All it needs is a running stitch going across, just under the arm openings. Then it is flipped over and stuffed and sewn shut. You don’t need to cut it at all.
And here is my white sweater pillow next to the fleece scarf pillow… yes I had a lot of sweater vests.
Now let’s look at that other larger sweater with sleeves and see how I made that sweater pillow.
I turned it inside out and sewed it across about two-thirds of the way down. If you want a more “square” pillow, rather than the rectangular style I made, simple sew farther down, even at the hem of the sweater.
Fold the sleeves inward…
…and the cowl/neck towards the body.
At this point I wanted the pillow to look bunched together on the sides so I used a gathering stitch. Just do a regular stitch and pull tight.
Here you can see the gathered ends more clearly. I added an old soft scarf inside for filling and then folded it on top of the scarf. No need to buy extra stuffing or batting! Simply use another piece of clothes if you don’t have a scarf.
I took the gathered bottom part and folded the rest into it. It’s not hard, just think in terms of thirds.
Once all the inner stuffing is inside the pocket simply sew it shut. You can see that nothing was cut or thrown out. I used everything.
Here is the pretty gathered end. I wanted the look of a roll pillow. It reminds me of these no-sew candy throw pillows over at Sustain My Craft Habit.
I used the same approach to make this sweater pillow from a buttoned sweater with a hounds tooth embellishment. I did exactly the same way as the vest but just fastened the buttons closed first.
What do you think of my no-cutting, easy-peasy sweater pillows?
I don’t think this pillow will fit in my upcycled basket, but that’s alright! If I can repurpose something old and give it a new life I’m more than happy!
This concludes my project on making sweater pillows the easy way, because why make it difficult when you don’t have to? And with this post I think we are done with winter things. Winter begone!!
I love upcycling my old sweaters. Not seen this method before, thanks for sharing it !
Claire, my method is easy! And because there is no cutting the thread will not unravel. Give it a try and let me know how it turns out.
Mary, what a clever tip–I learned something new! Thank you for sharing your pretty pillows & tutorial @Vintage Charm!
Thank you Cecilia. Someone also suggested that it is better this way beacuse the yarn does not unravel.
That’s so clever! I think I’ve got some old jumpers that I never got round to taking to the charity shop 🙂
Thank you Anna. This one is a no brainer anyone can do it, especially you who are so talented with the needle.
These are so gorgeous and cozy! What kind of thread did you use for the stitching?
Thank you Katerina.I used regular sewing thread and used a running stitch. The easiest kind!
What an interesting idea Mary! You truly are a creative master! Thanks so much for linking up with me at #manicmonday
Michelle it’s thrifty and you get to save things from the garbage dump. A win win for me!
What a clever way to keep a favorite sweater and to reuse and recycle to decorate. This would be a lovely way to gift a special item to a child. Thanks for sharing your craft with us at the Over the Moon Link Party.
Sandy I have done just that. I repurposed an old sweatshirt of my daughter’s as a pillow to give to her best friend. This way they get to be close without actually being together.
I share your love to upcycle and repurpose. Thanks for sharing with us at Merry Monday. I really like the way you were able to use all parts of the sweater.
Thank you Shirley. I figured since its a reuse nothing should go to waste.
I love the pattern on this jumper, it makes such a nice cushion.
Sally @ Life Loving
#LifeLovingLinkie
Thanks Sally, it’s my favorite that’s why I decided to repurpose it, because of the lovely pattern.
Mary, you’re amazing. Now I wish that I wouldn’t have taken all our old clothes to the goodwill. I could have made tons of cozy pillows out of old sweaters that no one wore anymore. These are the cutest little pillows, so much character. I love the bolster pillow and how you filled it, this would make for a great neck pillow. You know I love your creativity!
Aww, Nikki, if you kept them you would have a treasure right now. Don’t worry I’m sure you’ll collect more by the end of the winter. Just save them up for next winter when you can make these pillows. Thank you for your sweet words!
Hello my lovely friend. Just like me. If there’s an easy way to do something, I’m onto it. These will be fantastic for our upcoming winter. Thanks so much for sharing last week at Thriving on Thursdays. I’m featuring this at tomorrow’s party. Thanks for coming lovely!
Anne xx
Anne, that’s right, you are getting ready for the winter time. I always forget that. So this will be perfect for you now. Thank you also for freaturing it on your fantastic link party!
Now that pillow makes me want to go to the ski lodge. And I don’t even ski! (Truth be told, I’m with you…winter be gone!!)
Kim, it served me well all these years, but now I’m getting too round in the middle to fit into it. So this was the best way to keep it near by without actually wearing it.
This is such a great re-purposing idea Mary, lovely and simple, but the resulting cushions look fab 🙂 Will definitely be trying this x
Glad to hear it Sarah. It is so easy and the possibilites are as limitless as your sweaters
Τέλεια τα μαξιλαράκια!!!Έχω βάλει και εγώ στο μάτι κάτι παλιά πουλόβερ για να γίνουν μαξιραλάκια και γενικά τα μαξιλαράκια πάντα χρειάζονται,αλλάζουν όλη την εικόνα του καναπέ!Kαλημέρα!!!
Ηταν πολυ ευκολο Ιωαννα μου. Και φεραν μια φρεσκαδα στα δοματια.
Ingenious! You made that so simple. I would never have thought to NOT cut it and had all those unraveling ends to deal with…
Loving the gathering on the ends of the bolster pillow too.
gwingal
Love this sweater pillow idea. Found you on bloggers pit stop link party
I’ve always wanted to try making pillows from old sweaters. I often just don’t know what to do with them other than giving them away. But yours turned out so well that I may give it a go! Thanks for the step-by-step tutorial – easy to follow 🙂
What a great way to re-purpose old sweaters! A craft job perhaps even I could do!
Mary, I love projects like this. I am a woman with too many old sweaters and it’s time to do something with them.
Sweater pillows are so fun. Warm and cozy feeling for winter! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
You literally made a cushion out of a jumper – Mary you are quite brilliant!