Quick and Easy Crafts: Toddler Shirt Pillow

Do you have a favorite shirt that your toddler outgrew too fast? Kids grow faster than the clothes wear out. The options after that are to give them away or save them for the next child. I prefer to use them in my crafts and recycle them. This latest creation is an example of that.

One day my sister gave me a bunch of clothes that she no longer wanted. In the box of clothes were two of her favorite Bon Jovi concert shirts. She said that they were now too big for her and she didn't want them anymore. A friend of mine gave me an idea; sew the ends of the shirt and surprise my sister with two Bon Jovi couch pillows. I told my sister about the idea and she loved it. While going through my children's clothes, I found a few favorite shirts that they outgrew too fast and decided to take this idea a step further.

Follow these steps to make your own "Shirt Pillow".

Materials needed:

- A favorite t-shirt: any size will do. I used my daughter's 2T Pooh Bear shirt. 1 bag of Poly-fil or Mountain Mist polyester fiberfill (stuffing).

- Sewing machine with thread that matches your shirt.

- A few quilting pins (optional).

Take your freshly laundered t-shirt and flip it inside out. The first seams you will do are the arms. If you are using a long sleeve shirt, it is best to cut the sleeves short. Also, Polo shirts or button downs are not recommended if the child will sleep with this pillow.

Line up the seams on the sleeve and machine sew them closed. Do this for both sleeves. The neck is a bit tricky, as most t-shirts have a slight scoop in the front. Line up the neck seams, inside out, and pin them. Sew along the seams. Try to stay at least ¼ inch from the edge to make sure the seam will not rip out as easily.

Next, it is time to sew the bottom of the shirt. Line up the seams and sew all the way across, but stop about 3-4 inches from the edge. This is where you will fill your new pillow. Flip the shirt inside out and take a look at your seams. If there are any gaps, go back over it again. You don't want the stuffing to stick out of any holes.

Take the stuffing and, using small bunches, slowly fill your new pillow. The polyester fiber-fill is great for this because it does not bunch and is not heavy like cotton filling. Make sure to fill all areas, especially the sleeves.

After your pillow is filled to your specifications, it is time to sew the final hole shut. Fold in the bottom seam to have it match the rest of the seam and machine sew it shut.

There you are. You have a new recycled couch or bed pillow for you or your child. This is a great way to save not only money but your memories as well. I love the pink Pooh t-shirt and so did my daughter. When I finished the pillow and asked her to hold it for the photo, she hugged it tight and didn't want to give it back. That is okay with me. It was for her, anyway. Enjoy!

Sources:

Personal ideas and experience

Michaels Craft Store

Joann.com