Easy T-Shirt Pillow DIY

Salutations my fellow DIYers! I have been playing softball since I was 8, and with sports, you often get to keep the jerseys you sweat in for three months. Most of the shirts I have collected through the years ended up being donated, but I was inspired by this t-shirt quilt to recycle old remains of past seasons into something that can spice up a plain bed. Even though I am a teenager who loves this idea all the same, I would really recommend this décor for younger kids that have old jerseys that are no longer in use.

 

 

What you will need:

T-shirt or jersey

Fabric scissors

Old pillows or polyester fiberfill

Sewing machine or the good ol’ fashioned needle and thread

Ruler

Sewing pins (optional)

Pencil or chalk

First decide how big you want your pillow to be (keeping in mind the size of your jersey or shirt).  Mark where you are planning to cut with a piece of chalk or a pencil. Something that is easily removable works best to avoid long-lasting marks on the exterior. I did this step in the picture above, but light grey pencil doesn't seem to show up on fluorescent fabric (surprising, I know).

 

Cut along the lines you prepared on both sides. Most of the cuts will remain unseen, but one side will be exposed for all to see. Personally I think it is wisest to do your best cut on the bottom so that is the side that is shown. This will truly be hidden behind blankets or other pillows anyway, so I find this to be the best location for the exposed side.

 

Flip both sheets of the t-shirt or jersey you cut out over so that the logo and number are facing each other.

 

Start sewing three of the sides, leaving one side open to flip the soon-to-be pillow inside out and to stuff. For this part, I would recommend picking thread that matches your cloth closely (I didn’t have lime green thread shockingly, so I used this shade).

 

After completing 3/4ths of the stitching, flip the fabric back to how it was before with the design sticking out. Tear open your old pillow or open your polyester fiberfill bag and stuff until you think that your cute pillow is stuffed enough for your liking while still being able to sew it shut.

 

Do your last side of stitching. This side of thread, unless you go with the ladder stitch, is going to be revealed. After three sides of practice, though, you should be a pro!

 

Once you are done, throw your new pillow on your bed and flaunt it!

For any more requests, email me here.

The Power of DIY

The Power of DIY

Every holiday, millions of dollars are spent as people try to find ways to show their affection or appreciation for someone else. Every week before Christmas, people ram through the malls like a pack of Spartans trying to maul their way through to victory, or in this case, a new pair of shoes. Every week before Valentine’s Day, the shelves of Hallmark are swiped clean by romantics everywhere and become even emptier than Death Valley. Thousands of shoppers, left with no choice but to buy the cards that say “Happy 3^rd Birthday,” are forced to scribble all over the front cover as they try to make the 3 look like a sideways heart and try to somehow manipulate the word “Birth” into looking like the word “Valentine’s”.  Since when exactly did a holiday turn into this commercialized affair? Why do people feel like they need to buy something in order to express their love for someone? What happened to the saying, “the best gifts come from the heart?”

To me, the best gifts are the ones that are made by the hand and heart. People can go out and buy anything they want, but things that are homemade are unique and priceless. By doing something yourself, or what some people call “DIY-ing”, you also show others that you are willing to spend the time and effort on them.

Many of you must be thinking to yourself, “Well I can’t even draw a pony to save my life. Nobody is going to actually like what I make.” However, it’s the imperfections that make something look truly handmade. After all, we aren’t robots (hopefully).

By DIY-ing, you can make anything that you could possibly ever want to. Want a new lamp? Make it yourself! Need a new bookshelf? Do it yourself! You do not have to go to the store every single time you need something new. You can make everything with your own hands in the comfort of your own home. (Plus, just think of the money that can be saved!)

Still don’t believe me or need to get some creative juices flowing? Check out some of my favorite and effortless DIY activities. 

              

   

DIY Bookcase

 DIY Jars

DIY Mugs

DIY Curtains

Just look at all the things you can make! The instructions are relatively simple to follow, so it will be easier for you to create an end product that you can be truly proud of. No need for mom to feel embarrassed when she displays one of the DIY projects that you gift her.

Have any suggestions or questions or want more ideas?

Email me at evasdu@gmail.com