DIY: Sweater Pillow

The warm clothes are coming out of hiding, blankets are getting dusted off and the firewood is starting to stack up.  The cooler weather has definitely arrived and probably here to stay for a while.  It makes me want to cuddle up on my couch with a steaming cup of tea and my favorite blanket.  But there is something that has been missing.

I’ve been seeing cozy store displays that include the thing that I’m itching to add to my favorite spot – cable-knit pillows.   Like these:

Sweater-Knit Pillow Cover, Pottery Barn

Sculpted Origami Pillow Cover, West Elm 

Cashmere Cable Throw Pillow, Ralph Lauren

However, the ones I’ve fallen in love with have been a bit out of the price range I feel comfortable spending on a cushion.  But they’re so cute!! So, I figured I’d try to make some myself!

First, I went to my local Salvation Army Family Store and snagged 2 men’s sweaters in the colors and textures I liked.  Each sweater was $3-$5, and I believe there are certain days of the week when clothes are discounted even more deeply.  (Check with your local Family Store for specials).  Then, I scored a couple of cheap pillows from Bed Bath & Beyond.  One was a travel pillow that was around $3-5 with my 20% coupon.  The other was about the same price- a clearance pillow plus my 20% coupon!  This one was basically a pillow form with a cover.  I simply removed the cover and voila!  And finally, I purchased a couple of packages of buttons from Hobby Lobby.

Then I got to sewing!  Below are the basic steps I used for my pillows.  There is a caveat- I am a new sewer!  And I did not use a pattern of any sort.  I just stumbled my way through this project.  So please be kind and feel free to overlook any imperfections (especially the buttonholes!).  But I must say that, overall, I really like the finished product and they are happily residing beside me while I catch up on my DVR!

I placed the pillow within the sweater to get the basic size I needed to cover it and cut the excess sweater off.

 Then I cut the excess from the sides, turned the sweater inside-out, and sewed the seams on 3 sides.

 I left a longer end open because I wanted a “flap” to button down over the main part of the pillow.  I did sew a hem around the edges of the “flap”.  

 Finally, I sewed the button holes, sewed on the buttons and added them to my couch!

So, what do you think?!

 Other ways to make it yours:

- Add rosettes as embellishments.

- Use a holiday sweater (maybe one with a reindeer?) and center the image on the pillow

- Leave pockets on sweaters for added interest

DawnT

Dawn is a commercial interior designer who has worked on the East Coast before recently returning to her home state of Oklahoma. She is also growing as a photographer who loves to capture family moments, and is learning to sew and craft accoutrements to incorporate into photo shoots and celebrations for her friends. A volunteer for the youth at her church, an avid reader and Oreo dunker, Dawn believes a home should be artistic, personal and functional for the owners. She has recently purchased her first home and is looking forward to working on a Before and After process of her own!

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