Introduction
A shirt pillow is a unique way to repurpose an old shirt or other fabric. It’s easy to make, and can add a personal touch to any room in your home. Whether you’re looking to craft something from scratch or want to upcycle an old shirt, making a shirt pillow is a great way to get creative and make something special.
There are many reasons why you might want to make a shirt pillow. Perhaps you’re wanting to spruce up your living space, or you’re looking for a fun project to do with your kids. Whatever the reason, it’s easy to make a shirt pillow with just a few materials and some basic sewing skills.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Shirt Pillow
Making a shirt pillow is simple. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started.
Gather Materials
The first step is to gather the materials you’ll need. You’ll need a shirt, stuffing or batting, scissors, pins, thread, and a needle. If you’re planning on making a patterned pillow, you’ll also need fabric paint or markers and a stencil.
Cut the Shirt
Once you have all of your materials ready, you’ll need to cut the shirt. Cut two rectangles that are the same size. The size will depend on the size of the pillow you’d like to make. Once you’ve cut the rectangles, you’ll need to cut a small hole in one of the rectangles. This will be used to turn the pillow right side out once it’s been sewn.
Assemble the Pieces
Once the pieces of the shirt have been cut, it’s time to assemble them. Place the two rectangles together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the two pieces together and set aside.
Sew the Pillow
Now it’s time to sew the pillow. Start by sewing around the edges of the pillow, leaving a few inches open at the top. Once you’ve finished sewing, turn the pillow right side out through the small hole you cut earlier. Stuff the pillow with the stuffing or batting and hand stitch the opening closed.
Sewing 101: Crafting a Shirt Pillow from Scratch
If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can make a shirt pillow from scratch. Here are some tips to help you get started.
Preparation Tips
Before you get started, it’s important to prepare your materials. Measure the size of the pillow you’d like to make. Cut two pieces of fabric (front and back) that are slightly larger than the desired size so that you have enough fabric to sew around the edges. If you’re using a patterned fabric, you may want to use a stencil to trace the pattern onto the fabric.
Cutting the Fabric
Once your fabric is ready, you’ll need to cut it. Place the two pieces of fabric together and pin them in place. Cut along the edge of the fabric, making sure to leave a few inches of extra fabric on each side. Once you’ve cut the fabric, remove the pins and set aside.
Sewing the Pillow
Now it’s time to sew the pillow. Start by sewing around the edges of the pillow, leaving a few inches open at the top. Once you’ve finished sewing, turn the pillow right side out through the small hole you cut earlier. Stuff the pillow with the stuffing or batting and hand stitch the opening closed.
How to Upcycle Old Shirts into Pillows
Upcycling is a great way to give new life to old clothes. Here’s how to transform an old shirt into a pillow.
Choose a Shirt
The first step is to choose a shirt that you’d like to upcycle. Look for a shirt that has an interesting pattern or design, or a shirt that has sentimental value. Once you’ve chosen a shirt, wash it and lay it out flat.
Cut the Shirt
Next, you’ll need to cut the shirt. Cut two rectangles that are the same size. The size will depend on the size of the pillow you’d like to make. Once you’ve cut the rectangles, you’ll need to cut a small hole in one of the rectangles. This will be used to turn the pillow right side out once it’s been sewn.
Piece Together the Pillow
Once the pieces of the shirt have been cut, it’s time to assemble them. Place the two rectangles together with the right sides facing each other. Pin the two pieces together and set aside.
Sew the Pillow
Now it’s time to sew the pillow. Start by sewing around the edges of the pillow, leaving a few inches open at the top. Once you’ve finished sewing, turn the pillow right side out through the small hole you cut earlier. Stuff the pillow with the stuffing or batting and hand stitch the opening closed.
DIY Shirt Pillow Tutorial for Beginners
If you’re a beginner sewer or just starting out with crafting, making a shirt pillow is a great way to practice your skills. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial to help you get started.
Preparing the Shirt
The first step is to prepare the shirt. Wash the shirt and lay it out flat. Measure the size of the pillow you’d like to make. Cut two pieces of fabric (front and back) that are slightly larger than the desired size so that you have enough fabric to sew around the edges.
Cutting the Shirt
Once the fabric has been cut, you’ll need to cut the shirt. Cut two rectangles that are the same size. The size will depend on the size of the pillow you’d like to make. Once you’ve cut the rectangles, you’ll need to cut a small hole in one of the rectangles. This will be used to turn the pillow right side out once it’s been sewn.
Sewing the Pillow
Now it’s time to sew the pillow. Start by sewing around the edges of the pillow, leaving a few inches open at the top. Once you’ve finished sewing, turn the pillow right side out through the small hole you cut earlier. Stuff the pillow with the stuffing or batting and hand stitch the opening closed.
Creative Ways to Transform Your Clothes into Pillows
Making a shirt pillow doesn’t have to be boring. Here are some creative ways to transform your clothes into pillows.
Adding Embellishments
One way to make your shirt pillow stand out is to add embellishments. Try adding buttons, ribbons, or patches to the pillow for a unique look. For a more subtle touch, try adding embroidery or appliqué.
Creating Unique Designs
If you’re feeling creative, try creating a unique design for your pillow. Use fabric paint or markers to draw a design on the front of the pillow, or use a stencil to create a pattern. You can even use different fabrics to create a patchwork design.
Repurposing Other Clothing Items
You don’t have to limit yourself to just shirts when making a pillow. Try repurposing other clothing items such as jeans, sweaters, or scarves. This is a great way to give new life to clothes you no longer wear.
Conclusion
Making a shirt pillow is a fun and easy way to repurpose an old shirt or other fabric. With just a few materials and some basic sewing skills, you can make a unique and creative pillow. Whether you’re looking to craft something from scratch or want to upcycle an old shirt, making a shirt pillow is a great way to get creative and make something special.
By following the steps outlined above, you can easily make a shirt pillow. From gathering materials to cutting the fabric and finally sewing the pillow, you can make a beautiful pillow in no time. You can also get creative by adding embellishments, creating unique designs, or repurposing other clothing items.
