12 Fabulous Ideas For Making Pillows Out Of Sweaters
Inside: How to make upcycled sweater pillows with 12 unique designs.
Are you seeking a creative and sustainable way to spruce your living space? Look no further than recycled sweater pillows! They are a fantastic way to upcycle those beloved sweaters you no longer wear and add a cosy and unique touch to any room.
I'll guide you through turning old sweaters into charming pillows that will bring warmth and style to your home. Before giving you 12 different ideas for upcycled sweater pillows.
This is a sustainable way to reuse un-donatable clothes.
How To Make A Pillow From A Sweater
Old wool sweaters are great for crafting as they are perfect for transforming into lovely soft, cosy pillows (cushions).
- Gather materials: old sweaters, scissors, sewing machine or needle and thread, pillow stuffing or inserts, and optional embellishments.
- Prep and cut sweaters into desired shapes.
- Sew the pillow covers, leaving one side open for stuffing. (There are some no-sew patterns below).
- Fill the covers with stuffing or inserts.
- Close the open side of the pillow cover.
- Optional: Add personal touches like buttons or decorative stitching.
How To Felt Old Sweaters
If the wool sweater you are upcycling is machine knitted rather than hand-knitted, there is no need to felt the sweater first as long as the sweater doesn't unravel when cut. But if it is at least 80% natural wool, then you may want to felt it before crafting with the material.
For lazy sewers like me, felt is the perfect fabric. Unlike other fabrics, felt doesn't fray, which is excellent as there is no need for seams, and the material can easily be glued. It is also a dream to hand sew.
Felting sweaters is ridiculously simple, and I do it all the time, mostly by accident, Like when I mistakenly put my (often favourite) sweater in a hot wash, and it shrinks to a toddler size.
- Put the sweater in the washing machine.
- Add detergent
- Set the wash programme to hot
- The wool fibres should shrink and mat with the heat and agitation
- Dry the sweater in a tumble dryer to further mat and shrink the wool.
Fabulous Upcycled Sweater Pillow Ideas
With their soft textures and varied patterns, sweaters offer endless possibilities for crafting one-of-a-kind pillows that will make a statement in any room. Here are 12 delightful and innovative ways to transform old sweaters into stylish, personalized pillows. Unleash your imagination and give your home decor a cosy, eco-friendly makeover!
DIY Knot Pillow From Old Sweaters
Most recycled sweater pillows are made from the body of the garment, but this tutorial makes a unique Scandinavian knot pillow using the sleeves.
Fall Upcycled Acorn DIY Sweater Pillows
These cute pillows are not only in fall colours but also in the shape of an acorn and an oak leaf. This upcycled craft can be made either by sewing by hand or on a machine.
5 Minute DIY: No-Sew Sweater Pillow
A quick tutorial on how to turn your favourite sweater into a pillow without delving into the sewing box.
How To Make An Upcycled Sweater Mountain Cushion (Pillow)
Do you love the mountains? Or have a log cabin? This upcycled sweater mountain craft is for you. The D also includes a tutorial on how to feel wool sweaters for crafting.
Simple Sweater Throw Pillows
These upcycled woollen pillow covers don't have zips but fasteners instead.
Felted Wool Sweater Woven Pillow
If you are looking for something different, why not make a woven pillow out of felted wool sweaters? There's also a denim woven pillow version.
How To Make A Christmas Tree Pillow Form A Sweater
Add a bit of holiday cheer to your couch with this pom-pom decorated Christmas tree pillow.
Free Pattern For An Upcycled DIY Bunny Pillow
The kids will love these fun spring bunny pillows from their old jumpers. You'll find more bunny craft ideas here, including another bunny pillow from an old shirt.
DIY Upcycled Sweater Pillow Case
These are made from repurposed Arron cardigans. I love how the design incorporates the original buttons.
Valentine Heart Shaped Pillows
Never mind Valentine's Day; these pillows will look great all year round. I especially love the heart-shaped pink pringle sweater. You'll find some more fabric heart crafts here, including recycled sweater heart decorations
PB Knock Off - Fur Trimmed Sweater Pillow Cover
Add a bit of Pottery Barn-inspired decor to your couch with these furs-trimmed pillows; The trim looks similar to that on these upcycled Gucci tiger pillows.
Free Pattern For A Fabulous Easy Frida Kahlo Cushion
Ok, this pillow is made from an old wool blanket and not a sweater, but the pattern could easily be adapted, and the flowers are made from felted wool jumpers.
Other Upcycled Pillow Ideas
Denim is another excellent fabric to repurpose into pillows. Check out all these denim pillow ideas, including these unique fish-shaped pillows and denim pocket pillows that combine old sweaters and jeans.
Ugly Christmas sweaters make for great Christmas pillows.
You can make many more things for the home out of old sweaters, such as a felt rug, sweater upcycled Christmas ornaments, a patchwork sweater blanket, and even a repurposed felt succulent garden.
Wool sweaters are only one of any upcycling fabrics that can be used for home DIYs and crafts.
What a great collection of pillows, Claire. Thanks for sharing @Vintage Charm!
Cheers!
I love the bunny and the heart! Thanks for sharing on the Pleasures of the NW's DIY party!
Thank you, those too are very seasonal Valentine's and Easter.
I love sweater pillows and these ones are great! I'd never seen anything like the last one with the scales. Very cool! 🙂 Lisa
Thank you, the last one is very cool!
OMG! What wonderful ideas, I love them all! My favorite is the mountain pillow. So creative! Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you so much, the Mountain pillows are my favourite too!
These are great ideas. Pinned! Thank you for sharing with us at #HomeMattersParty . We would love to see you again next week.
Thank you! I'll be there next week.
The fish scale one is my favorite, but they are all fun! Thanks for sharing on the Waste Less Wednesday Blog Hop!
Thank you!
Such cute sweaters! I have a cardigan of my grandfather's that I try to wear but really it has never fit that well. This would be the perfect solution. Pinned!
Thank you so much, you should make a pillow out of it for sure.
I have so many favorite old sweaters that I want to sew into pillows! I love this post, now I'm inspired!
Thank you, Janine.
So much beautiful inspiration. Visiting from the Vintage Charm Link Party.
Thank you so much.
Love those mountain pillows!
Thank you so much.
I have never heard of felting pillows. Love the valentine one so much. Also a big fan of the button down with the pocket. Good stuff!
Thank you, old wool sweaters are great for felting.
Love the mountain pillows! Also love the arran cable jumper ones, wishing now that I'd kept the cardies Mum made me when I was little!
Jillxo
Thank you, I hang on to all the families woolen jumpers now just in case.
Thanks for sharing my tutorial!
Thank you, for a great tutorial.
I don't think there is anything cozier than a sweater pillow. Thanks for sharing such great inspiration.
Lisa
Thank you, especially if they are made from an old lambswool or cashmere jumper.
thanks for the inspiration! I 'm ging to dig in my closet, searching for sweaters 🙂
Thank you, hope you find some suitable ones.