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You are here: Home / Denim / Easy Way To Make Colourful Boho Style Jeans Pillows

Easy Way To Make Colourful Boho Style Jeans Pillows

23rd August 2017 by Claire Armstrong 51 Comments

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A tutorial on how to make some on trend Boho style jeans pillows.

The trouble with staying in gorgeous accommodation whilst on holiday, my home looks knackered on returning. It seems too cluttered, tired looking and a lot of it in desperate need of redecoration.

The solution is to either go on camping holidays so that I appreciate my home comforts more or to tackle the house. As I hate camping it will have to be the house.

So I made a pathetic start by chucking out a load of very old and worn throw pillows. And then I used up some of my craft stashes and made some fresh replacement boho-style jeans pillows.

Boho Jeans Pillows With Upcycled Sari Trim and Pom Poms

I’m a bit of a craft hoarder. As well as piles of fabric and old jeans I have a large stash of yarn. Every time, I catch a glance of my yarn pile in the craft room I feel that it is mocking me for being a terrible knitter and average crocheter. I’m now just resorted to using my yarn to make pom poms.

As well as recycling jeans and using more yarn to make pom poms, I used some vintage sari trim. I found the trim in my craft stash, I had totally forgotten about it. The sari trim was just what I needed to give the jeans pillows that boho feel.

Vintage sari trims are gorgeous strips of brightly coloured and embroidered fabric that were used to adorn lovely Indian saris. I know you may be thinking where on earth do I get sari trim. As with most things, it’s actually really easy to find on eBay and Amazon.

These gorgeous recycled jeans pillows will brighten up any home.  They made from upcycled denim and have colourful pom poms and sari trim for that boho look.


This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.

What you need to make upcycled boho jeans pillows

  • Old denim jeans
  • Vintage Sari trims – As I’ve already mentioned this readily available to buy on eBay and Amazon. You will need a piece of trim about 90cm length for each jeans pillow.
Jeans and Sari Trim for Boho Pillows DIY
  • Colourful yarn to match your trim
  • Pom pom maker kit
Yarn and pom pom maker kit
  • Needle, thread and 30cm (12″) zip
  • Pillow insert – I used a 65cm X 45cm (16″ x 26″) Ikea fjadrar insert

How to Make Boho Jeans Pillows

  • Each pillow side was made up of 3 panels of fabric (6 in total). The width of vintage sari trim will vary from piece to piece. To start with I measured the width of the sari trim and then calculated the width of denim I would need on either side. I was making a cover for a pillow 65cm by 45 cm. Don’t forget to allow for a seam allowance.
  • 2. For the front of the pillow, pin 2 pieces of denim and 1 piece of sari trim right sides together and then sew. Repeat for the back of the pillow.

    Pinning Boho Jeans pillows panels

    3. Next, lay both the pillow sides (front and back) flat front sides up (see picture below). Then pin a zip between them and then sew in the zip to join them together. If you are not sure about how to sew a zip into a pillow there is a video tutorial here.

    boho jeans pillow panes zip

    4. Next, pin the rest of the pillow both sides together leaving the newly attached zipper open.

    panels pinned right sides together

    4. Then, using a sewing machine, sew the pillow sides together. Then turn the cushion/pillow cover right sides out and add the pillow insert. I used IKEA 65 cm by 45 cm inserts for these Boho Jeans Pillows.
     

    5. Finish off by making multi colour giant pom poms with your pom pom maker and hand sew one on to each corner of the pillow. To get the mixed coloured effect just wind different coloured yarn in bands around the pom pom maker.

    DIY pom poms
    stitching pom pom onto jeans pillows
    Finished upcycled boho jeans pillows with vintage sari trim and pom poms

    I love how these pillows/cushions turned out. I just love the fact that they are made from recycled jeans but are still so colourful. The only thing is I can’t quite decide where to have them in my home. I think I will need to make some more.

    Another way to have combined the sari and denim fabric were to have made a denim pillow first. Then, to applique sari fabric hexagon patchwork to the pillow.

    I’m also really pleased that I found a use for the gorgeous vintage sari trim I bought on a whim a couple of years ago.

    For more Boho upcycles, check out these DIY wooden ornaments made from old curtain fixings.

    DIY boho style recycled jeans pillows with pom poms and vintage sari trim.
    boho jeans pillows bench
    Yield: Upcycled Jeans Pillow

    Boho Jeans Pillows With Sari Trim

    Finished upcycled boho jeans pillows with vintage sari trim and pom poms

    Make gorgeous Boho style jeans pillows with sari trim and pom poms

    Prep Time 30 minutes
    Active Time 30 minutes
    Total Time 1 hour
    Difficulty Easy

    Materials

    • Old jeans
    • Sari Trim
    • Wool
    • Zip

    Tools

    • Sewing Machine
    • Pom Pom Maker

    Instructions

    1. Cut the denim to make a panel 65 cm by 45 cm made up of 2 pieces of denim and one of Sari trim. Make 2 of these panels for each pillow.
    2. Next, lay both panels face up and join together at one end with a zip sewn in.
    3. Then, pin the panels right sides together with the zip open
    4. Next, sew up the sides of the pillow, then turn right sides out.
    5. Finally, make four multi-colored pom poms and sew one into each corner of the pillow
    © Pillarboxblue
    Project Type: Sewing / Category: Denim

    For more upcycled jeans pillows check out these posts.

    • iPhone Denim Pocket Pillow
    • Repurposed Denim Fish Pillow
    • World Map Denim Floor Cushion
    • All The Best Denim Pillow And Cushion Tutorials

    For more Boho DIY’s and crafts check out these tutorials.

    • Leather Boho DIY Vase
    • Indoor Recycled Hanging Planters
    • Velvet Upcycled Small Wooden Drawers
    • Boho Velvet Upcycled Planters
    • Upcycled Felt Succulent Garden

    Filed Under: Crafts, Denim Tagged With: boho, cushion, denim, denim cushion, denim pillow, jean, jeans, jeans pillows, pillow, pillows, pom pom, pompom, recycled jeans, sari trim, upcycled, vintage sari trim, yarn

    Previous Post: « How To Make A Gorgeous Recycled Jean Planter
    Next Post: How To Use Mapbox for An Amazing IKEA kids table hack »

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marie

      25th March 2020 at 3:10 pm

      Your boho pillows are fabulous, Claire! Love the bright colors you paired with the denim – so pretty!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        26th March 2020 at 9:03 pm

        Thank you, Marie I love to add a bit of colour when I can.

        Reply
    2. Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting

      17th September 2017 at 9:35 pm

      Another fantastic idea! I love the pop of color the sari and pom poms give the jeans! Great idea! 🙂 Lisa

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        18th September 2017 at 6:20 am

        Thank you Lisa. That was the plan to bring a bit of colour to the denim.

        Reply
    3. Lins @ Boo & Maddie

      7th September 2017 at 8:03 pm

      Wow is there anything you can’t do? These look so so pretty! Thank you for linking up to #HomeEtc X

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        7th September 2017 at 9:19 pm

        Thank you so much. Denim is one of my favourite things to upcycle.

        Reply
    4. Sharon@BlueWillowHouse

      1st September 2017 at 9:11 pm

      You are a wizard when it comes to recycling jeans. These boho pillows are adorable. Thank you for sharing at Snickerdoodle. I am featuring your pillows at Snickerdoodle tommorow.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        2nd September 2017 at 6:45 am

        Thank you Sharon. Not sure about wizard, but obsessed with recycling jeans, yes I’m guilty of that.

        Reply
    5. Sandra Garth

      30th August 2017 at 9:15 pm

      My former daughter-in-law is Indian and she gifted my granddaughter with lots of her niece’s beautiful outfits complete with lots of sari trim to play dress up. My granddaughter has outgrown them and they’re taking up space in a closet. I need to channel my inner Claire and get busy with some of that trim. The pillows are gorgeous and thanks for the inspiration and for joining us at Celebrate Your Story.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        31st August 2017 at 12:56 pm

        Thank you Sandra. You could combine the old trim with their jeans they have outgrown too to make some special pillows.

        Reply
    6. Katherines Corner

      29th August 2017 at 3:51 pm

      thank you for sharing your awesome craftiness at TFT. You were pinned and featured. Hugs!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        29th August 2017 at 6:09 pm

        Thank you, Katherine. I look forward to seeing the feature.

        Reply
    7. Grandmas House DIY

      29th August 2017 at 3:21 pm

      Thanks for sharing this with us at the To Grandma’s house we go link party! I’ll be featuring on my site tomorrow morning when the new party starts!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        29th August 2017 at 6:09 pm

        Thank you, that’s great I look forward to seeing it.

        Reply
    8. Julie

      28th August 2017 at 10:34 pm

      These cushions are beautiful. I love working with sari fabric, I must warn you it doesn’t wear like denim though. We have a cushion cover I made a few years ago from a charity shop purchase sari and it’s starting to wear in a few patches now. Luckily I have a little more so I’m just going to make up another one. It’s one of my favourite cushions! It might be that my teens are just a bit rough with the cushions in our house though!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        29th August 2017 at 6:33 am

        Thank you, Julie. I will bear that in mind. That is why I used the trim of sari as this tended to be the thicker fabric as it was the edging and hopefully more robust. They are holding up very well so far but let’s just wait and see.

        Reply
    9. Dalwi Szyje

      28th August 2017 at 8:55 pm

      Great idea!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        29th August 2017 at 6:33 am

        thank you!

        Reply
    10. Pam @Threading My Way

      28th August 2017 at 12:10 pm

      You are the queen of jeans refashioning, Claire. Such fun and colourful cushions – and sturdy, too. I’ve featured your tutorial today…

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        28th August 2017 at 2:08 pm

        Ah that’s awesome, thank you so much Pam.

        Reply
    11. Leanna

      28th August 2017 at 6:14 am

      Boho always brings me back to my teenage years. I love all the bright colour and laid back attitude of your cushions. Very very pretty and cheerful.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        28th August 2017 at 8:07 am

        Thank you Leanna. I do love a bit of bright colour. My mums house was very Boho in the seventies lots of macrame hanging plants and colour.

        Reply
    12. Cecilia

      26th August 2017 at 10:30 pm

      How fun, Claire! Thank you for sharing @ Vintage Charm!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        27th August 2017 at 7:42 am

        Thank you so much Cecilia.

        Reply
    13. Ann

      26th August 2017 at 8:55 pm

      I’ll be adding this to the projects for old denim jeans I’ve got in my mental list. LOVE the bright colors of the sari trims and the pom poms you added.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        27th August 2017 at 7:42 am

        Thank you Ann, I can’t resist a pop of colour.

        Reply
    14. Julia - Vintage with Laces

      26th August 2017 at 2:20 pm

      I hate camping too. I did it once when I was 19 and never again. The sari trims work so well with the denim. The pillows turned out lovely and cheerful, Claire!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        26th August 2017 at 8:14 pm

        Thank you Julia. The thing is I’m supposed to like camping as I’m a Beaver scout leader so shh don’t tell anyone I actually don’t like it.

        Reply
    15. Michelle Leslie

      26th August 2017 at 8:02 am

      Love, love, love. The way the hard wearing denim contrasts with the soft, embroidered sari trim is stunning. So completely my style Claire

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        26th August 2017 at 8:12 pm

        Thank you Michelle. The idea was to soften the denim by combining with the trim.

        Reply
    16. Susanne

      25th August 2017 at 11:18 pm

      these are so cute! Love the color and pompoms, you are a genius with denim 🙂

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        26th August 2017 at 7:48 am

        Thank you Susanne. 8 couldn’t believe how lucky I was when I found yarn in my stash that matched the colours in the sari trim.

        Reply
    17. Toni

      25th August 2017 at 2:44 pm

      Those are super fun and you can really customize them for any color scheme or style decor you want. You are so creative 🙂

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        25th August 2017 at 8:29 pm

        Thank you Toni. The sari trim comes in loads of colours nd styles so you should find one to suit your decor.

        Reply
    18. Janine

      25th August 2017 at 3:03 am

      This is so incredibly cute! I love how you have combined such beautiful colors! I’ll have to check out Amazon for supplies. Btw, I’m a hoarder of ribbon!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        25th August 2017 at 6:27 am

        Thank you Janine. My collection of ribbon isn’t that big but my washi tape collection on the other hand is pretty impressive,

        Reply
    19. Sam - Raggedy Bits

      24th August 2017 at 10:56 pm

      Such a clever idea Claire!! I love the bright happy colours!! It amazes me with all of the clever things you make with denim. So creative!!!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        25th August 2017 at 6:28 am

        Thank you Sam. I have a big stash of denim to get through so that’s partly why I keep on thinking of things to make from old jeans, plus I love indigo.

        Reply
    20. Lea

      23rd August 2017 at 9:47 pm

      These pillows are so pretty!!

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        24th August 2017 at 12:07 pm

        Thank you so much Lea.

        Reply
    21. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled

      23rd August 2017 at 5:44 pm

      Very cool, Claire! Love the addition of the pom poms and the silk scarf. Visiting from Welcome Home Wednesday party.

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        23rd August 2017 at 8:30 pm

        Thank you Victoria, they are vintage sari trims I’d almost forgotten about.

        Reply
    22. Liz

      23rd August 2017 at 4:15 pm

      Love what you do with old jeans. x

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        23rd August 2017 at 8:30 pm

        Thank you, I just love recycling jeans. I’m always looking for new things to do with denim.

        Reply
    23. Maarit

      23rd August 2017 at 1:10 pm

      Very nice! I love these pillows.?

      Reply
      • Claire Armstrong

        23rd August 2017 at 8:31 pm

        Thank you so much ?

        Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Linky Thursday | StacySews says:
      7th September 2017 at 2:43 pm

      […] Get into the boho trend with this tiered dress (with trim) tutorial. Want to bring the boho trend into your home? Learn how to upcycle jeans into fun sari and pompom trimmed pillows. […]

      Reply
    2. September 5th: Recipe & DIY Linky - The SITS Girls says:
      5th September 2017 at 10:01 am

      […] Pillar Box Blue: Boho Jeans Pillow […]

      Reply
    3. Show and Tell, Link Party Time! - Sugar Bee Crafts says:
      5th September 2017 at 12:01 am

      […] Boho Jean Pillows via Pillar Box Blue […]

      Reply
    4. Snickerdoodle Create ~ Bake ~ Make Link Party #197 says:
      2nd September 2017 at 8:57 pm

      […] DIY Boho Style Jeans Pillows […]

      Reply
    5. Simple Nature Decor says:
      30th August 2017 at 12:09 am

      […] BoHo Jean Pillow:  Pillar Box Blue […]

      Reply

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