DIY Network

Swanky Sweater Pillows Turn an old sweater into a new pillow. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-128

Dress up a pillow with a recycled sweater.

Head to the dresser and rummage through the give-away bag—Michele Beschen has a way to give new life to outdated sweaters.

If you have sweaters that are out of style, don't fit or simply don't look right on you, they can still look great on pillows. Michele Beschen shows how to turn sweaters into cool pillows with a B. Original twist: She keeps them looking like sweaters, and even accessorizes them.

This easy-sew project calls for a sweater, a pillow, one or more inexpensive scarves and a necklace. Put these castoffs together, and you'll have something you want to keep for years. Scroll down for details.

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	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C

Sweater Pillow

Materials:

sweater (or sturdy shirt)
standard pillow form
inexpensive/old scarves
chunky necklace
sewing machine
needle, thread

• With the sweater right-side out, slide it over a standard pillow form with the pillow resting at the sweater's shoulders and collar.

• Smooth the sweater down over the pillow and pin at the sides for seams (figure A). Start pinning at the middle of the pillow and work your way out to the ends. Also mark and pin for the seam at the bottom of the sweater. Leave the collar and shoulders intact.

• Remove the pillow, turn the sweater inside out and sew the side and bottom seams (figure B). Cut away excess material from the stitching line.

• Turn the sweater right-side out and insert the pillow through the sweater neck.

• Add scarves at the neck to hide the pillow and baste down.

• Baste a necklace to the front of the pillow (figure C).

This project also works great with shirts. If you're using a shirt with buttons, sew the front closed along the button strip so they don't pop open.