Turning Special T-shirts {and Old Jeans} Into Cute Pillows

Shannon berrey design
by Shannon berrey design
My daughter wanted a special old t-shirt sewn into a pillow. Using a pair of hardly-ever- worn jeans of her brothers {they had the best color and distress!}, I cut them up and fused the t-shirt on, and voila! A special new pillow for her college dorm! For more detailed directions visit my blog: http://shannonberrey.com/_blog/Shannon_Berrey_Design_Blog/post/is-that-a-t-shirt-on-your-sofa/
Pick your favorite shirt and cut out the area to be used.
Iron HeatnBond fusible adhesive to the back of the shirt.
Using a ruler, draw out the area into whatever shape you choose and cut through both the shirt and the fusible adhesive.
Using an old pair of jeans, cut up the side hems of each leg about 24".
Open up the piece of denim and draw a line to create the edge of the pillow and then cut through both pieces of denim.
Pull off the paper backing and center the t-shirt on the denim. Iron it following the directions on the adhesive.
Using a decorative stitch, go around the edge of the t-shirt. Put right sides together, sew the pillow up.
Fli it right sides out and stuff it. Then hand sew the opening.
The back shoulder of the t-shirt had this cute little design that I couldn't leave out, so I fused it on the back corner of the pillow!
Frequently asked questions
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  • Edith M. Harless Edith M. Harless on Sep 27, 2017

    Where did you find that cute t-shirt? I'm from N.C. and would love one of these. I may be old but I still love cute things.

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  • Debbie Pratte Debbie Pratte on Sep 10, 2021

    Die the jeans red and use some of those “ugly Christmas sweaters “ or Christmas t-shirts for Christmas presents. Use batting or holiday ribbon instead of stitching, maybe? Also great for a camper, places I’ve been in pillows 😀. Only thing, might not be anywhere to sit haha

  • Susan Custer Costa Susan Custer Costa on Mar 01, 2022

    This sounds great! Those State shirts can be found a Altar'd State stores. I lost my second husband to cancer. I saved his ties, with the idea that I would make a pillow or a vest or something else in his memory. Haven't done this as yet, but still have thoughts of it. Thanks again for showing us your pretty pillow.

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