How to Recycle Sweaters into Beautiful Accent Pillows

Learn how to craft beautiful accent pillows using old sweaters. Sweaters come in a wide variety of colors, patterns and textures which make them ideal for creating fabulous pillows. You can choose to use a sweater you no longer wear or visit your local thrift shops or garage sales for inexpensive finds. When choosing your sweater imagine it re purposed into a pillow. Does the pattern work? Is it a pleasing texture? Is it visually appealing? Let your imagination take over and see how much fun it is to turn something old into something new again!

Materials: Pillow form (any size), tape measure, chalk, knit sweater, scissors, sewing machine, thread, straight pins and a sewing needle.

Tip: When deciding on a sweater for your pillow it is best to choose a sweater with a tight knit, this way the pillow form doesn't show through.

Directions: Use the tape measure to determine the dimensions of your pillow form and add 1 inch to each measurement. Example: If the pillow form measures 8" X 8" document the measurements as 9" X 9". This will allow for a 1/2" seam allowance when sewing the pillow cover.

Now lay your sweater out nice and smooth on a flat work surface. Using the measurements required for your pillow form, measure and mark the sweater to those specifications. Now using a sharp pair of scissors, cut along your marks through both layers of fabric to create the front and back panels of the pillow cover.

Lay the the front and back panels together with the right sides of the fabric facing each other. Pin the panels together to hold them in place. Use the sewing machine to sew a straight stitch around 3 sides of the pillow cover. Turn the cover right side out and insert the pillow form. Turn the edge of the opening inward a 1/2" on both sides and slip stitch it closed.

Tips: If you would like to embellish your sweater pillow with trim, be sure to place the trim between the panels before pinning and sewing the sides together. Be sure to place the trim with the border lined up to the edge of the panels and the decorative edge facing inward. Now when the cover is turned right side out, your trim will be facing the right direction.

Hints: Ribbons, buttons, lace, doilies, tassels, sequins and gems make gorgeous embellishments!

I hope you enjoy crafting beautiful sweater accent pillows for your home.