Home >> Hobbies >> Sewing

Do-It-Yourself Shirt Recycled Into a Pillow

Anyone who volunteers, plays team sports, goes to camp or attends college is likely to collect more t-shirts than he can possibly wear. When t-shirts are worn out or don't fit but still have sentimental value, making throw pillows is an ideal way to keep them in your life without having t-shirts cluttering your dresser drawers. This quick project requires only basic sewing skills and can be sewn by hand or with a sewing machine.

Things You'll Need

Pillow insert
T-shirts
Ruler
Chalk
Scissors
Pins
Sewing needle
Matching thread

Instructions

- 1
  Choose your pillow. Pillow inserts filled with either polyfill stuffing or down and feathers can be purchased at a craft store. Choose a pillow of any shape, as long as it is at last 1 inch narrower than the front of your t-shirt.
- 2
  Decide what part of the shirt you want on the front and back of the pillow. Use the front and back of the same shirt or use the fronts of two different shirts for a pillow with a reversible design or message.
- 3
  Put the shirt on a flat surface and draw a shape 1 inch longer and 1 inch wider than the pillow on the front of the t-shirt with chalk. Use the ruler to measure accurately and to draw straight lines and right angles.
- 4
  Cut out the shape. If you are using one shirt for the front and back, pin the layers together and cut both out at the same time.
- 5
  Pin the two layers of fabric together with the right sides facing. The picture will be on the inside.
- 6
  Sew around the three sides of the pillowcase, .5 inch from the edge of the fabric. Leave the bottom of the case open.
- 7
  Turn the pillowcase inside out, leaving the needle and thread attached. Put the pillow insert inside.
- 8
  Tuck the raw edges of the pillowcase's open side inside, and sew the open side of the case closed. You will be sewing through four layers of fabric to keep the raw edges tucked in.
- 9
  Sew several small stitches over one another at the end of the seam to reinforce the seam. Tie a knot in the thread close to the fabric and cut the thread.

Sewing