How to Make a Pumpkin Pillow From Recycled Sweaters

A pumpkin pillow is a wonderful way to recycle beautiful old wool sweaters into a cozy decoration for fall. Wool is easy to work with and the whole project is simple to accomplish. The pumpkin is an easy primitive design that need not be perfect. Instructions are given for each pattern piece, but they can be cut free hand for added rustic appeal. Enjoy a few evenings stitching this pumpkin pillow as you sit in front of the television watching your favorite shows.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gray wool sweater
• Tan wool sweater
• Off white wool sweater
• Black wool sweater
• Lace
• Two black buttons
• Stuffing
• Scissors
• Pins
• Embroidery needle
• Black embroidery floss
• Lightweight cardboard
• Compass
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Sewing machine
• Matching thread

1. Wash and dry the wool sweaters in hot water and a hot dryer to felt the wool.

2. Cut two pieces 15 inches by 16 inches from the gray wool sweater for the body of the pillow.

3. Draw a 7 1/2 inches by 12 inches rectangle on the lightweight cardboard. Round the corners and shape the rectangle for the pumpkin pattern and cut out.

4. Draw a 1 1/2 inch circle, 1 1/2 inch by 3 inch rectangle and a 1 inch by 2 inch rectangle on the lightweight cardboard. Draw a 2 inch square and shape for the pumpkin stem.

5. Trace the pumpkin pattern on the tan wool sweater and cut out. Trace two 1 1/2 inch circles and one 1 1/2 inch by 3 inch rectangle on the off white wool sweater and cut out. Trace one 1 inch by 2 inch rectangle on the tan wool sweater and cut out. Trace the pumpkin stem on the black wool sweater and cut out. Cut out two lace circles slightly larger than the off white circles.

6. Center and pin the pumpkin 2 inches from one 16 inch side of one gray pillow piece. Center and pin the 1 1/2 inch by 3 inch off white rectangle, vertically, on the pumpkin. Center and pin the 1 inch by 2 inch tan rectangle on top of the off white nose. Layer one lace circle and one off white wool circle on top of each other and pin them even with the top of the nose and 1 1/2 inch on one side. Repeat with the other circles on the other side of the nose. Center and overlap the stem at the top of the pumpkin and pin.

7. Blanket stitch around the pumpkin and the stem using the black embroidery floss. Whip stitch around the wool eyes and nose rectangles using the black embroidery floss. Create a running stitch mouth across the pumpkin using black embroidery floss.

8. Attach the black buttons over the off white wool eyes using the black embroidery floss.

9. Place the two gray pieces of the pillow together with the right sides facing. Sew a 1/4 inch seam on all sides, leaving a 4 inch opening for turning and stuffing.

10. Turn the pillow right side out and stuff. Close the opening.

11. Blanket stitch the edge of the pillow on all sides with black embroidery floss.

Tips & Warnings

• Use three strands of embroidery floss or use black crochet thread.