Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Nesting with a Sweater Pillow


While shopping a few weeks ago...sorry, don't remember where...I came across a gorgeous pillow that looked like it was made from a knitted panel. It was gorgeous and oh so cozy, but the price? $35 was way too rich for my blood. And then I thought...I can MAKE that.

Since I didn't own a sweater that I just wanted to chop up, off I went to a nearby thrift store. Now you know what I decided to do with one of those sweaters I bought the other day, the beautiful cotton knit one. I'm sure the employees were wondering why I was browsing through every single size they had! It really doesn't matter what size you buy. I ended up with an adult small that I picked up for $6. It was in great condition with no pilling. I love cotton and that is a good fibre to buy as it holds up well and works well for all seasons. Wool or wool blends would also be lovely. I'd probably stay away from acrylic though unless it's really not going to be used much as acrylic tends to pill. Here it is...

Sweater Pillow Tutorial



To create the "fabric" for my pillow cover, I trimmed off the bottom of the sweater just below the armpit of the top. This gave me a nice rectangular piece the perfect size for a lumbar style pillow. If you have a longer sweater you may be able to make a larger square pillow. Work around your particular material.


After turning the panel inside out, I stitched one seam with a straight stitch and then again along the seam edges with a zig zag to make it secure and prevent raveling. Turn back right side out and insert your pillow form. I was lucky to get a nice edge on this sweater and so I just hand stitched it closed.


Here it is...the quick project that took half an hour to do and the hand stitching was done in front of the tv. I love fun quick projects and I love how cozy this pillow is. The solid neutral color just highlights it's beautiful texture. Doesn't it look great on this chair? Leather can be a little cool sometimes and I love how it cozied it up.


If this post inspires you to try out a sweater pillow, leave me a link and a comment. I'd love to see what you've created!

This post links up with Kimba's DIY day...



Have a beautifully creative day!

Julia

18 comments:

  1. Who would ever think you took a used sweater and gave it new life! I've seen these before and am always in love with them! Great job and the directions are always helpful for people like me who need to be shown how to do it! :)

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  2. Love the pillow. I have been wanting to do this for a while but haven't found a nice sweater like yours. I'm gonna keep serching.

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  3. I love that pillow! I've seen white ones in the stores and they're so expensive. I made a red one last year but I'm liking your white one!

    Manuela

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  4. Love it! I saw something similar... I think it was at Pottery Barn. I've even pulled out an old sweater to attempt to make my own... thanks for the tut!

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  5. I did the same thing with a cable knit sweater! Love it.

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  6. What a great idea! I'm definitely going to have to do one too!

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  7. I love this! We are re-doing a room in our house, and I need pillows for a couple chairs. This would be perfect :)

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  8. Love, love, love the texture of this and how quick and easy it seems to be to make it. Thanks for sharing!

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  9. I've got some pillows to recover after we move. This is a GREAT idea! Thanks. Polly @ http://helpinglittlehands.blogspot.com/

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  10. That's incredible. Love it. I have a dress that I would love to turn into "something" because I love the fabric so much :)

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  11. Oh, and I signed on to Follow. Your blog is beauteiful.

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  12. Very nice! I love the contrast of textures with the leather chair.

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  13. This is an awesome idea, and you did such a great job! It looks professionally made. Love the texture too...

    pk @ Room Remix

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  14. I am SO doing this!! I have been coveting all those GORG sweater pillows I see at Pottery Barn and else where... now I can have one too! And I love that you picked up your "fabric" at a trift store! AWE. SOME.

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  15. You are definitely talented. I am "this close" to attempting that myself but I will not be doing the hand sewing! :o) Some day I will have the courage to try it! Becki

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  16. This pillow is awesome. I am off to rummage through my closet right now!

    Chelsea

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Thanks for stopping by Finding Beauty @ Home. And thanks for your lovely comments. I appreciate each one. Have a beautiful day!

Julia