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Sweater Pillows the Easy Way!

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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! 

2 old sweaters before, Sweater pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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.

sewing the vest, Sweater pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

 And here is my white sweater pillow next to the fleece scarf pillow… yes I had a lot of sweater vests. 

white vest pillow with fringed pillow, Sweater pillow the easy way - the boondocksblog.com

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.

Where to sew the patterned  sweater, Sweater pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

 Fold the sleeves inward…  

Folding the sweater, Sweaer pillows the easy way - the boondocksblog.com

…and the cowl/neck towards the body.

Folding the sweater,  Sweater pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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. 

gathering the ends of sweaer, sweater pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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.

Adding fillig and folding sweater, Sweater  pillow the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

I took the gathered bottom part and folded the rest into it. It’s not hard, just think in terms of thirds. 

Folding into the pocket, Sweater Pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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. 

The sewed top of the pillow, Sweater pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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.

Gathered end of pillow, Sweater pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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. ​

Full picture of sweater pillow, Sweater pillows the easy way -  www.theboondocksblog.com

What do you think of my no-cutting, easy-peasy sweater pillows?

Detail of pillow, Sweater pillow the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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!

closeup Pin size, Sweater Pillows the easy way - www.theboondocksblog.com

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!!

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15 Ways to Re-Purpose Old Clothes into Something New - The Boondocks Blog

Wednesday 21st of October 2020

[…] were all sweater pillows. The round bolster pillow was actually not cut at all because the neck and sleeves were tucked into the body […]

Krista

Thursday 18th of February 2016

You sure made those look easy. Hmmmm.... I am still not sure but I'm pondering the possibility of trying one. I do have a lot of old sweaters. :)

Mary

Friday 19th of February 2016

That's the spirit! These are so easy anyone who can sew a button can do it. Those old sweaters are calling you Krista!

Katrin

Thursday 18th of February 2016

So clever Mary! I would have never thought of just leaving the rest of the vest and sweater on and cut it off. But this way you have stuffing! I love the sweater pillows, the white one would look lovely on my white sofa, but I also like the patterned one a lot, and the way you sewed it is so unique. I don't think I'm able to do that! I also like that it's a roll, a different shape is always fun! You always come up with great repurposes Mary! Love it and love stopping by to see what's going on! Have a great Thursday!

Mary

Friday 19th of February 2016

Katrin these are very easy. It's like making a pocket and rolling the rest into the pocket. The way I was able to achieve the roll was by doing a simple sew on the bottom sides and then just pulling the thread tight so that it bunched up. If you have any old sweaters lying around this is the perfect idea. Have a great weekend.

Martie

Thursday 18th of February 2016

What a pretty rolled pillow! I would get all tangled up in the extra fabric, but you managed to get it all in there and make it beautiful! Great ideas, and now I have ideas for all my old sweaters, too. Thanks!

Mary

Sunday 21st of February 2016

Thank you Marite. I'm glad I was able to give you some ideas. And it's a shame to get rid of favorite sweaters especially when the patterns are so cute.

Keri

Thursday 18th of February 2016

Mary, love these sweaters pillows!!! I have an old sweater in my to-make-into-a-pillow stash but just haven't gotten to it yet, but you have given me the inspiration to go get sewing. Like you said it should be quick and easy!! :) Not to mention comfy, beautiful, and inexpensive!! You did a lovely job on these pillows!! I really like the pattern on the roll pillow!!!

Mary

Sunday 21st of February 2016

It was an old one of mine, but didn't fit that well anymore, so I had the option to give it to charity, but then I discovered some holes and decided against it. In the end all turned out well. Can't wait to see yours.

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