Wednesday, December 10, 2014

sweater pillow

I'm sure by now you know how much I love throw pillows. You probably know how much I love to reuse things, as well. This project combines the two! It was a quick project, if you don't count the amount of time I spent thinking about doing it.
My husband was done wearing this sweater, but rather than donate it, I used one of the sleeves to make a pair of mittens. That was a few years ago. The body of the sweater and one sleeve was still in tact, and I figured I would use it somehow, someday. Last night I sewed a zipper into the bottom, sewed up the sides and then chopped it down to size. It makes a FABULOUS pillow cover for the couch.
The zipper was one (of many) from a bag of zippers I bought at the thrift store years ago. (I'm starting to sound like a hoarder, aren't I?) I could tell that someone had ripped it out of something a long time ago, so it's been repurposed as well. It was the right length and the color was close enough! I love the metal teeth, but they are dangerous to sewing machine needles if you aren't careful. (Yikes!!)
I was concerned about the stretchiness of the material, so I sewed it a little smaller than my pillow form...and it wrapped around perfectly. The texture is so wonderful!!! I'm pleased as punch! It measures about 21" square.
 
I do believe that this is the start of a whole "winter" pillow cover series. (Hurray!!!) You can see the summer look here. (Hahaha!) I may need help, but I certainly don't care to change my ways quite yet....

36 comments:

Lisa said...

Wonderful repurposing of old sweater! My husband doesn't wear sweaters but I have some old ones. Thanks for the great idea.

Kat said...

Great idea! I bet it feels wonderful to nap on!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

what a wonderful idea! I had never thought of a sweater pillow

Svetlana said...

no, no !!! Don't change a thing. I love to see all the gorgeous pillows you make and this one is no exception. What a great re-purposing of a sweater.

Debbie said...

Very cool! I mean warm? ;-)

Nana said...

You are sooooooo good at using everything. Great pillow.

tink's mom said...

Love it love it love it. Don't change a thing about your vision.

What Comes Next? said...

fabulous repurposing of a sweater!

Ann said...

It looks lovely, especially with your quilt and other pillow. Thanks for sharing the idea.

Di~ said...

Oh My Word!!!!! :) you are killin' me again! a zipper in a sweater, wow. Love it.

margaret said...

this has worked a treat, love the other cushion in the photo too

Lorna McMahon said...

The new pillow looks so cozy! And when you are missing him..... You can always hug a pillow. Looks great!

Jill said...

Great idea. I hope to make one out of an aran sweater that I hope to find at a thrift store.

Suzanne said...

Do your kids fight over your pillows like mine do? This one would be sure to cause a rumble in my house. :)

Nancy said...

I LOVE your pillows! "Choose Joy" is my theme for life! Thank you for the inspiration! :o)

Wilma Lee said...

Excellent idea!! I'm starting to use more and more pillows on my couch, lol.

Little Quiltsong said...

You know - you gave me an idea - for all those sweaters I was hoping would fit me again :) - but might make beautiful pillows instead! Your pillow looks so cozy and perfect for those cold winter days ahead. I love it!

RMorgan said...

This is fantastic! I would love to see a tutorial. I have put zippers in pouches but have always done an envelope back for pillows. Just beautiful!

Unknown said...

I Love It!!

Always In Stitches said...

Great idea. I think my husband would have a heart attack if I started to make all those pillows.

Daytona Damsel said...

I saw a sweater pillow on a decorating blog the other day and thought it would be a great idea to repurpose sweaters and here you are doing just that. It looks so snuggly and soft.
Debbie

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

And for Christmas you could make Ugly Christmas Sweater pillow covers!

Vicki H said...

Brilliant!!

Beth said...

I love it! You're giving me courage to actually make pillows out of sweaters I have been saving for that very purpose! Any helpful hints about sewing a zipper onto a knit sweater?

Melissa Corry said...

I love that pillow!!! Now I totally want to raid my husbands closet and make one ;)

Thanks for the inspiration ;)

Julierose said...

Love that sweater pillow--and that quilt behind it on the sofa is fabulous--is it one of your patterns?
Hugs, Julierose

Carla said...

I've thought about knitting pillow covers after seeing expensive ones, but this looks much faster ; )
Beautiful

Terri Ann @ ChildlikeFascination.com said...

It's never occured to me to use sweater material for a pillow but it's a brilliant idea. I agree that it's a great winter pillow ccover. A good fall one too around where I live.

simple :: dream :: quilts said...

When I make a handmade gift for someone I'm giving of myself and usually my taste in colors/style. So far the recepients appreciate and use the gifts.

My sister (the non-sewer) shared with me that she recently make pillow covers from sweaters and I actually saw them this evening while at her house for dinner. They turned out really nice. I'm proud of her.

Jennifer C. said...

I like the sweater cushion -it looks so cosy and cuddly - but I am also glad that you posted a picture of your Choose Joy cushion. I loved it when I first saw it on your blog. Now I am inspired for a gift for a wonderful girl, just entering the scary stage of adolescence.

Unknown said...

I've seen an entire armchair covered in patchwork Aran squares cut from Op Shop sweaters and cardigans. Wish I had a photo of it.

Susie Q said...

for future pillows if the sweater is wool you can felt it first to minimize stretching.

Stephie said...

Oh yes, that's perfect for this time of year! Love the colour and texture - that would definitely be my cushion, lol!

Pat said...

I really like that pillow. I've been thinking lately about making some covers from old sweatshirts and/or
t-shirts that have souvenir value to them but are really too worn to wear.

Two Wednesdays said...

What a great idea - I have a pink sweater I wasn't sure what to do with - now i know :-)

Unknown said...

Pillows are SO satisfying! I often use orphan blocks. Like the sweater idea! Lyn