Saturday, January 12, 2013

SWEATER PILLOW TUTORIAL




I have a pillow addiction... I just can't have enough of them!!!

This winter I am warming up the beds and sofas at StoneGable with SWEATER PILLOWS.

These cozy accent pillows are made from sweaters I purchased at Goodwill.

Both of these pillows took just a little over an hour to create...








If you can sew a straight line you can make these sweet sweater pillows!







STONEGABLE SWEATER PILLOWS
old sweaters
down pillow forms 
ruler
marking chalk
buttons
needle and thread
sewing machine

Chose sweaters with interesting designs and nubby textures.

Machine wash the sweaters in warm water and dry in the dryer on a normal setting.  I wanted to shrink the sweaters a little and make the knit tighter.








Put the down pillow form into the sweater and center it. Estimate where the seams will be. (I used the rows of cable to be a guide.

Remove the pillow and turn it wrong side out.  Using a ruler and marking chalk draw the pillow on the sweater. Leave an extra 1 1/2 to 2 inches on the ribbed edge.








Pin both sides of the sweater along the markings. I started at the bottom of the sweater.








Sew three sides of the sweater along the marked line (watch the pins!). Do not sew up the bottom of the sweater... you will need the ribbing to stay intact.


Cut the three sides of the sweater leaving about a 1/2 inch allowance. 







 DO NOT CUT THE RIBBED END OF THE SWEATER.







Turn the sweater right side out.







Fill with the pillow form. Sew buttons to the ribbed side of the pillow to close.  I chose old buttons from my button jar. Some of these were my grandmothers.













To make the ruffle on the larger pillow, cut off one sleeve of the sweater. Open it up by cutting the seam.
Cut off the cuff.








Cut the sleeve into even strips.








Sew a large running stitch down the center of each strip.  







Pull the top thread gently and gather up the sweater into a ruffle.








Sew the ruffles sections together at the ends and then sew the ruffle to pillow at the ribbed end closure seam.








My sweater pillows are warming up my new living room sofa...

I think I'm going to get a few more sweaters and make some for our guest room bed!









I was trying to think of other things I could make out of the sweater remnants... like this...








Look at this great tuttleneck from one of the sweaters... I made something out of it that I am giving as a gift!

Look for an upcoming DYI post!


 Save any unused sleeves... you can use them to make SWEATER PUMPKINS!


How cute are these!!!







Remember to...

Pin It








43 comments:

  1. AliciaJanuary 12, 2013 at 11:28 AM

    What a great tutorial. And there are so many different sweaters at Goodwill! Good thing part of my plan for today is to visit Goodwill. Hope I can find some with as much interesting detail as the ones you found. thanks for sharing, love this post and definitely pinning it!

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  2. Marty@A Stroll Thru LifeJanuary 12, 2013 at 11:33 AM

    Great tutorial. I looked at GW for some sweaters, but havn't found any yet. Your pillows are fabulous. Hugs, marty

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  3. Amy DeCesareJanuary 12, 2013 at 11:59 AM

    I pinned a photo of these and am so happy to see all the details of how you made them. Thank you!

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  4. SandyJanuary 12, 2013 at 12:14 PM

    Thank you for your tutorial. I really plan to try my little bit of knowledge at a sewing machine. My word for the year is "horizon."

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  5. Linda @ Life and LindaJanuary 12, 2013 at 12:23 PM

    Lovely tutorial for such a beautiful sweater pillow. How fun to have these surround you.

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  6. AudreyJanuary 12, 2013 at 1:44 PM

    What a fantastic idea, I love it! Have a great weekend.

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  7. kitty@ Kitty's Kozy KitchenJanuary 12, 2013 at 2:27 PM

    They look beautiful, Yvonne, and such a great way to recycle someone's sweater.

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  8. prince snow farmJanuary 12, 2013 at 2:53 PM

    What a sweet cozy idea...especially loving the sweet ruffle.

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  9. SewconsultJanuary 12, 2013 at 3:36 PM

    Great tutorial. I have a sweater that I have been wanting to make a special gift for my aunt. I think a pillow is the perfect solution.
    Beckie

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  10. KarenaJanuary 12, 2013 at 4:03 PM

    Yvonne I am doing this! I adore the cozy winter knit pillows!
    Thank you so much for brightening my day!

    xoxo
    Karena
    2013 Artists Series

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  11. UnknownJanuary 12, 2013 at 4:31 PM

    What an easy tutorial and they turn out just wonderful (well, at least yours did)-LOL

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  12. Pura VidaJanuary 12, 2013 at 5:21 PM

    Oh wow...what a fantastic idea..these look perfect for a cold January day!

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  13. UnknownJanuary 12, 2013 at 8:46 PM

    Yvonne! Stop it already! You have me an inch away from pulling every one of my sweaters out of my closet right now! Hmmm...maybe I'll just make pillows out the hubs sweaters instead???

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  14. AnonymousJanuary 12, 2013 at 8:52 PM

    Well I can't sew a stitch but these are so beautiful and this is such a helpful tutorial you actually make me want to try. Inspirational on so many levels!
    Melinda

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  15. UnknownJanuary 12, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    So pretty! I love the look of knit or crocheted pillows this time of year.

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  16. BonnieJanuary 12, 2013 at 9:20 PM

    I love the ruffle. I am wondering if the stitches come "undone" after a bit of time. Or did you stay stitch the edges of the ruffle before attaching it. I love these. Thanks for the tutorial.

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    Replies
    1. Yvonne @ StoneGableJanuary 13, 2013 at 8:22 AM

      Hi Bonnie, I left the edge of the ruffle raw. It did not unravel because I washed and dried the sweaters and that tightened the knit. If it had unraveled a bit that would have been okay too!

      Delete
  17. Cavie FamilyJanuary 12, 2013 at 9:43 PM

    What is a good inexpensive place to find down pillow forms?

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    Replies
    1. Yvonne @ StoneGableJanuary 13, 2013 at 8:22 AM

      Hi Cavie, I have a Pottery Barn Outlet near so that is where I get my inserts. My friend Ann from On Sutton Place gets her's at Ikea.

      Delete
  18. Rosemary@villabarnesJanuary 12, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    They're all beautiful.

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  19. Kristen WhitbyJanuary 13, 2013 at 4:35 AM

    They are so gorgeous!

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  20. Paula@SweetPeaJanuary 13, 2013 at 8:05 AM

    Thanks for the tutorial. I need to stop by Goodwill to make some for my home. They would look great on my porch with the other winter decor.

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  21. BlissJanuary 13, 2013 at 8:55 AM

    I would love to think I will make some of these, so I'm going to pin them and then I have the tutorial right there when I finally find some sweaters.

    Bliss

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  22. Shirley@Housepitality DesignsJanuary 13, 2013 at 9:18 AM

    I am definitely going thru my closet to gather sweaters to make these fabulous pillows!! Thanks Yvonne for the great ideas and tutorials!

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  23. Jennifer @ Town and Country LivingJanuary 13, 2013 at 12:19 PM

    Yvonne, I love these! I agree ... you can never have too many pillows! Thanks so much for the tutorial. Pinned it!

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  24. On Crooked CreekJanuary 13, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    Yvonne,
    I oftened wonder how to keep the sweater from unraveling...now I understand to stitch first, then cut!!! Great advice! Your sweater pillows turned out great! Thanks for this tutorial!!!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  25. Sweater GirlJanuary 13, 2013 at 3:14 PM

    What a great tutorial, Yvonne! Great pix and detailed instructions-even I (a non-sewer) can do this!

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  26. SavoringTime in the KitchenJanuary 13, 2013 at 4:05 PM

    What a beautiful idea and wonderful tutorial, Yvonne! Your found some beautiful, classic sweaters to work with. Now I wish I had some of my MIL's old Pendleton sweaters to play with~ Pinning!

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  27. Jemma@athomewithjemmaJanuary 13, 2013 at 4:58 PM

    Just started following your blog-this is such a perfect tutorial for me-your pictures are just lovely!

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  28. MaryJanuary 14, 2013 at 5:47 AM

    What a wonderful tutorial Yvonne! I adore the sweater ruffle and wonderful button details! I'm tempted to blow the dust off my sewing machine and run to GW :) Hope you feel better soon!

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  29. Marty WaldenJanuary 15, 2013 at 12:34 AM

    I adore these! I'm the yard sale queen so now I know what to look for! Seriously, they're beautiful.
    Marty@Marty's Musings

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  30. Sophie TaylorJanuary 15, 2013 at 4:52 AM

    I’m not talented in sewing, but your tutorials making me to do it. I love the ruffle a lot. Thanks for sharing.

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  31. Robin JohnsonJanuary 23, 2013 at 6:02 PM

    Oh my! I think I would be too afraid to cut up a sweater but I love the end result. What a nice way to cozy up and add texture to a space.

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  32. Shari @ turnstylevogue.comJanuary 27, 2013 at 12:56 AM

    So beautiful, yet so easy. Thanks for sharing. I love them!!

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  33. CapiFebruary 6, 2013 at 2:55 PM

    Thanks, Yvonne...I did it. Here are the pictures to prove it...I hope it works to get you there.


    http://www.flickr.com/photos/92724922@N06/with/8450559929/#photo_8450559929

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  34. UnknownFebruary 7, 2013 at 4:53 PM

    Hi Yvonne. Thank you for the inspiration. Your sweaters are so pretty. Dianna

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  35. AnonymousFebruary 26, 2013 at 1:51 PM

    I am so disappointed, when I try to pin this, it says there is nothing to pin :( Love this !!

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  36. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2013 at 11:37 AM

    I love what you did! The white color is perfect for winter and the texture gives it a cozy look and feel!

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  37. UnknownOctober 17, 2013 at 9:53 AM

    Hi! I am new to sewing and I would like to try this! Can you please tell me what kind oh thread and needle are you using for this project? Thanks!!!

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  38. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2014 at 11:56 AM

    Love your pillows. You can use the sleeves for cat sweaters. Instructions available on Interest.

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  39. AnonymousJanuary 2, 2014 at 3:08 PM

    I'm new here. Is there a reason you say "DYI" instead of "DIY"? thanks

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    Replies
    1. Yvonne @ StoneGableJanuary 2, 2014 at 8:22 PM

      No I just wrote it wrong... for about 3 years! Kinda sad... but very funny! Thanks for catching it. I made a new title page! Are you available for proofreading?

      Delete
  40. JEANNEJanuary 19, 2014 at 4:53 PM

    Yvonne, Thanks to our meeting at the grocery store last week and finding out about your blog, I just made a sweater pillow today from an old white, wool cabled sweater that I haven't worn in quite awhile. Thanks for the tip.

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