I realized that over the years I’ve aquired lots of shirts from Threadless. I found myself not wearing them–for some reason graphic tees don’t really leave my closet. I really like the designs on my old shirts, so I wanted to put them to good use & decided on making some pillows!
Pick out a couple different fabrics. I used 4 pieces of vintage fabric that weren’t big enough for a project, you can use more than four if you want it extra patch-y. This is super great for using up fabric scraps.
Lay your shirt flat & cut off the sleeves and a straight line under the neckline. Then figure out how big you can/want to make your pillow image. Pin & cut a square around your t-shirt image, use the same width and height. Mine was 11.5 inches–leave 1/2″ for seam allowance.
Cut strips of fabric that are 3 inches tall, at varying lengths. Use less than 3 inches if you want a smaller border/pillow, or more for larger. Lay out the strips so that each side has that 3 inches overhanging on one end–Except for one side.
I messed this part up at first! Arrange the strips something like this, I made my pattern reversed on opposite sides. **One side needs to be just the same size as the t-shirt side, with no extra–this is #1. Trim extra fabric that’s on each side.
Once you have it all figured out, sew or serge the patches to each other making a strip for each side. Sew to the t-shirt starting at #1–the strip with a bit less fabric. Then sew strip #2 and so on. Hopefully that wasn’t too confusing :)
Now that the front of your pillow is all done, use it to trace around some fabric or t-shirt material for the back. My finished pillow front was about 17″. Sew the front to the back right sides together, leaving a few inch gap on one side. Turn right side out & stuff or use a pillow form. Admire your pretty pillow!
The shirt I used is called, ‘A day in the life of a decadent designer.’ Isn’t the design rad? This is what my mother had to say about the image–”It’s like a mess, just like you!” Uhh..thanks Mom? Hah. I prefer to call my messes ‘Hodgepodges of creativity.’ ♥
great idea! i don’t wear a lot of graphic tees either–maybe i can turn them into pillows too! =]
Talent! I’ve been turning all my old graphic T’s into derby practice clothes ;)
Amie Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 9:34 am
Awesome :] I think my next project is going to be an attempt at making derby shorts!
I love it! Such a cute idea. :)
The pillow is adorable!!! I just got a sewing machine for christmas and ::kinda: know how to use it. The pillows I made before were actually by hand. It is so hard not to get lazy when hand stitching :)
I like your idea very much, I rarely have t-shirts, but I will consider the idea as I have a sweatshirt from a vacation….I have made many pillows and I prefer the folded back-side that over laps itself so you can remove the cover from time to time to wash…just a good idea for households with kids and pets.
Thank you for sharing this, great idea.
Suzanne
Amie Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 9:37 am
Thanks Suzanne! I wanted to use a pillow form so the cover could be removed, but I didn’t have any on hand. Next time I’m definitely going to change it up.
Maybe try two tees one on each side. I have a lot of volleyball tees from high school, this would be perfect! Thank you for sharing you great idea!
Amie Reply:
January 20th, 2012 at 9:33 am
Love that suggestion!
Wow, I can only dream of having talent like yours! This is just incredible.
Oooh. I’ve got some tees I think I may want to do this to.
oh wow, awesome!! I’ve been thinking about something like this for a long time, so glad you shared this , thanks :)
THATS AWESOME… I love my threadless shirts too but I rarely where them because they are not “work appropriate”. Super soft and comfy… and you sew? I’ve had this sewing project I wanted to have done for the longest time, can’t find anyone for the job. I tried to find someone on etsy… if you’re interested let me know?
I love that pillow. Great idea. :) I’ve been wanting to do something with patch work.
i love that pillow so much! i had a bunch of shirts i just recently got rid of too from the move. poop!