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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:

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

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

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

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  4. 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.

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  5. Very cool! I mean warm? ;-)

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  6. You are sooooooo good at using everything. Great pillow.

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

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  8. fabulous repurposing of a sweater!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  17. 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!

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  18. 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!

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

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  20. 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

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

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  22. 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?

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

    Thanks for the inspiration ;)

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

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

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  26. 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.

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  27. 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.

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  28. 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.

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  29. 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.

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

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

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  32. 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.

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

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

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