How To Reuse Old Clothes For Pillows: Crafty Ways To Give New Life To Your Fabrics

Each of us likely possesses a collection of unused garments that linger in our closets. Instead of allowing them to gather dust indefinitely, why not transform them into charming cushions? This offers an excellent opportunity to repurpose your clothing rather than discarding it, and it also allows for artistic exploration with diverse fabric choices.

1. Collect Your Old Clothes

Search through your wardrobe and locate garments you've ceased wearing but that possess appealing colours or patterns suitable for a pillow. Opt for clothing in decent condition, as you'll be reusing the fabric. Ideal choices for this transformation are items like denim jackets, flannel shirts, and long skirts or dresses with ample fabric. (fabric for summer) Prioritise clothing with intriguing designs or patterns, such as floral motifs or plaid, as these can add a dash of flair to your pillow's aesthetics.

2. Measure The Correct Size For Your Pillow

Utilise a ruler or tape measure to determine the size and shape required for your pillow. Cut out squares or rectangles from the fabric to create a straightforward pillow. Ensure that you add an extra inch to your intended pillow size to account for seam allowance. To guide your cutting, use chalk to trace along this measurement.

• If your clothing item is identical on both sides and you're confident in your cutting skills, you can trace the measurement with chalk once and cut both fabric pieces simultaneously.
• If you're using two distinct clothing items for your pillow, it's advisable to mark both sides of the fabric with chalk to ensure precision.
• If feasible, consider cutting both the front and back of the clothing simultaneously to obtain two symmetrical fabric pieces. However, if you intend to use two distinct styles of fabric for your pillow, you only need to cut one piece from each garment with the appropriate measurements.

3. Sew The Pillow Cover

Position the fabric pieces on top of each other in a way that, when you sew them together, the pillowcase (wash pillow by hands) will be turned inside out. Secure the fabric's shape by placing pins along the edges of the fabric. Sew the three sides of the pillowcase where you've placed pins, ensuring that the seam is approximately 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the cut edge of the fabric. If you prefer a neater finish, you can also employ a slip-stitch method to conceal the stitching on the pillow.

4. Stuff Your Pillow

Utilise the opening that you've left in the pillowcase to insert the stuffing material of your choice. Adjust the amount of stuffing according to your preference. To ensure even and uniform stuffing:

• If you're using softer stuffing materials like cotton or down, gently pull them apart and fluff them to ensure softness and remove any clumps.
• Begin the stuffing process by adding small portions of stuffing to the corner of the pillow that's farthest from the opening. Apply gentle but firm pressure, using your hand, a spoon, or a rod to assist in the stuffing.
• Continue stuffing the other corners in the same manner, gradually working your way toward the pillow's opening.

Once you're satisfied with the pillow's appearance and level of stuffing, hand stitch the opening that was used for stuffing. Alternatively, if you want to retain the ability to open the pillow, sew a zipper into the opening to close it securely.

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