Tutorial: Quirky Shirt Pillow Idea
If you have an old or worn out button-up shirt, you can easily turn it into a funny throw pillow to decorate your space. This is a very simple sewing project that’s great for beginners. I made this for a 14″ square pillow, but you can also follow the instruction and adjust the size you’re cutting out to accommodate whatever size pillow you want.
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. That being said, I encourage you to use your local sewing shop whenever possible, or to look for supplies second hand.
Supplies Needed:
(all of my patterns include 1/2″ seam allowance)
Step 1
line up the square pattern with the shoulder seam
The top of the pattern should be more-or-less in line with the shoulders of your shirt.
Step 2
cut the bottom and sides of the square
Cut around the bottom and sides of the square pattern. Do not cut the top where the collar is.
Step 3
sew a scrap piece of fabric the the back of the neckline and shoulder seam
We need to add a flap of fabric to the top so that the pillow won’t be visible through the collar when this pillowcase is finished.
There are two ways of going about this. The first is to take one of the scrap pieces of fabric you just cut off and sew it to the back neckline and shoulder seams inside the shirt.
Some shirts have an easier way of doing this. Many times that top, back section of the shirt (called the yoke) actually has 2 layers. So all you have to do is cut the inside layer loose. It’s already connected to the neck and shoulder seams so you don’t have to sew anything extra on.
Step 4
baste the fabric flap to the front of the shirt
Fold the flap over to the front of the shirt and baste it along the sides.
Step 5
sew the sides and bottom of the shirt
Now, fold the shirt in half with right sides together and sew along the bottom and sides.
Step 6
turn the shirt pillow to the right side through the button strip
Step 7
Stuff a pillow into the shirt
Insert a 14″ pillow into the shirt pillowcase. Tuck it underneath the flap at the top so that the pillow won’t show through the neckline. Button up the shirt in the front and you’re finished.
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