How to Sew a T-shirt Pillow

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By veryirie
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T-shirt pillows.

You can sew a t-shirt pillow in a short amount of time. Regardless of your previous sewing experience, if you follow these simple instructions, you will see how easy it is to sew a t-shirt pillow.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

t-shirt
sewing scissors
old mattress cover remnant
iron-on interfacing
iron
sewing machine
embroidery thread & needle
pillow form insert
dental floss (optional)

Step 1

Cut interfacing.

Measure printed area of the t-shirt; allow at least a 2" margin around the graphics. For an adult size t-shirt, the square will be approx 15" x 15".

For your t-shirt pillow, cut two 15" x 15" squares from the iron-on interfacing.
Step 2

Cut t-shirt.

Lay t-shirt down flat, front side up. Cut off the sleeves. Next, with one hand firmly holding down the t-shirt, use the scissors to cut as evenly as possible up each side of the t-shirt to the armholes.
Step 3

Cutting shoulder seams.

Spread the t-shirt with the front and back fanned out. With the scissors, cut t-shirt along shoulder seams to the neck.
Step 4

Center interfacing.

Using interfacing as a pattern for the front and back of the t-shirt pillow, center interfacing over the graphics on the front of the t-shirt. Pin interfacing to t-shirt front. Cut along the edges.

If there are graphics on the back of your t-shirt, repeat this same procedure. If not, skip this part for the back.
Step 5

Iron-on interfacing.

Flip the front of t-shirt over so the inside is facing up. With fusible side of interfacing against the inside of the front, iron interfacing to fabric, following directions printed on the package.

Now, iron the interfacing to the back of the t-shirt pillow as well. Cut the back of the t-shirt pillow along the edges of the interfacing which you've just ironed in place.
Step 6

Place both sides of t-shirt pillow on top of the quilted mattress pad. Pin block in place. Do a generous cut allowing an inch or so around the t-shirt fabric.
Step 7

Sew layers together.

On sewing machine, sew three layers (t-shirt,interfacing,quilted pad) together 1/4" from all edges. Do this for both the front and back pieces.

Pin blocks with right sides together. Sew in a 1/2" seam all the way around the square, leaving an opening approximately 8" wide at the center bottom of pillow.
Step 8

Baste with floss.

This step is optional: To soften edges, thread dental floss in a sewing needle. Hand baste straight across each corner 1" to 1 1/2" from tip of corner. Cut dental floss leaving a 3" tail on each end.

Pull both ends of dental floss to gather edges of pillow. Wrap floss tightly around hand basted stitching and securely tie in a double knot.
Step 9

Inside out.

When finished with your corner treatment, the inside of your pillow should look like the picture. Turn t-shirt pillow right side out.

Insert pillow form into the opening. Pin opening together and close by hand with a slip stitch.
Step 10

Finished t-shirt pillows.

Sew a t-shirt pillow for yourself, a loved one or a friend. Some t-shirts evoke special memories, so keep those good thoughts alive by making some soft, cushy t-shirt pillows to scatter around a room. Have fun!

Comments

evascarlet said

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on 11/28/2009 Love this idea!!! I have tons of old shirts from musicals I performed in, and they're all just in a box in storage, since I no longer wear them but can't bear to get rid of them. This is perfect! This idea would also make excellent accessories for those people into the "vintage" t-shirt craze...just imagine what old shirts you could pick up for a few cents at a thrift store! (Man, I am way too inspired now...) :)

MI-Sandi said

on 4/4/2009 5* Article on How to Sew a T-shirt Pillow. I made one out of one of my sons tee shirts from when he was a little boy. It has a lot of meaning to it!