Transform Thrift Store Finds into Trendy Throw Pillows: A DIY Guide

Want to add a personal touch to your living space without breaking the bank? Pillows are a fantastic way to inject personality and style into any room. While buying new pillows can be expensive, there’s a budget-friendly and creative alternative: making your own using thrift store clothing! This DIY project is not only affordable but also allows you to create one-of-a-kind pieces that reflect your unique taste. Instead of discarding old clothes, give them a new life as stylish and comfortable throw pillows. It’s a fun, eco-conscious way to decorate your home.

This guide will walk you through the process of transforming pre-loved garments into beautiful, custom-made pillows. We’ll cover everything from sourcing materials to the final stitching, ensuring you have all the information you need to complete this rewarding project. Get ready to unleash your creativity and craft some truly unique home décor!

Materials You’ll Need to Create Your Thrift Store Pillow

Before you begin, gather the following materials:

• Thrift Store Clothing: Look for garments with interesting patterns, textures, or colors. XL or plus-sized shirts and large dresses provide ample fabric for larger pillows.
• Pillow Insert: Choose an insert that fits your desired pillow size. Common sizes range from 16 to 20 inches.
• Sewing Machine: A sewing machine will make the process much faster and more efficient, but you can also sew by hand if you prefer.
• Scissors: Sharp scissors are essential for clean and accurate fabric cuts.
• Thread: Select thread that matches or complements the fabric of your chosen garment.
• Marker or Chalk: Use a marker or chalk to mark cutting lines on the fabric.
• Ruler or Measuring Tape: A ruler or measuring tape is crucial for ensuring accurate measurements and square cuts. A right-angle ruler is especially helpful.
• Iron and Ironing Board: Ironing the fabric before cutting and sewing will make the process easier and result in a more professional-looking pillow.
• Pins: Pins are essential for holding fabric pieces together securely while sewing.
• Pom Pom Trim (Optional): Add a touch of whimsy and personality to your pillow with pom pom trim. You can find this at most craft stores.

I was lucky enough to find a floral shirt and a dress, both on clearance. The floral shirt even had shoulder pads, adding a fun vintage touch!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Pillow from Thrift Store Clothing

Step 1: Prepare the Fabric

Start by cutting down the sides of the shirt or dress. Remove any unnecessary elements like shoulder pads or linings. Cut down the shoulder seam to separate the front and back pieces.

Step 2: Iron the Fabric

Iron the fabric thoroughly to remove any wrinkles or creases. This will make it easier to cut and sew accurately. Lay the fabric flat on your cutting surface.

Step 3: Cut the Fabric into Squares

Use a right-angle ruler to ensure your cuts are square. This is important for creating a well-shaped pillow. Measure and mark the desired size of your pillow squares. Remember to add extra seam allowance (about 1 inch) to each side.

Step 4: Cut the Front Pillow Square

Cut out the front square of your pillow. If the fabric is difficult to work with, don’t worry about making perfect cuts initially. Cut it slightly larger than needed and then use your ruler to even out the edges. For example, for a finished 20″ x 20″ pillow, cut your square to 21″ x 21″. This gives you some room to adjust and clean up the edges.

Step 5: Cut the Back Pillow Pieces

Cut the fabric for the back of the pillow slightly differently to create an overlapping closure. Cut a rectangle that is the same width as the front square (e.g., 21″) but twice the height (e.g., 24″). Then, cut this rectangle in half to create two pieces. Iron the inside edge of each piece by about 1/2 inch and stitch it down to create a clean, finished edge. This creates a clean edge that will allow the pillow insert to be hidden.

Step 6: Assemble the Pillow Cover

Pin the right sides of the fabric together. The two pieces of the backside should overlap to create the removable pillow cover. Make sure the sewn edges of the back pieces are positioned in the middle of the overlap.

If you’re using silk or light cotton fabric, use plenty of pins to secure all sides, especially around the overlap edges. Pinning the overlap edges together in the middle will help keep the two sides aligned while you sew.

Step 7: Sew the Pillow Cover

Sew all four sides of the pillow cover with a sewing machine. Use a seam allowance of about 1/2 inch. Once you’ve sewn all the sides, turn the pillow cover inside out and iron it to create a crisp, clean finish. Now you’re ready to insert your pillow insert!

Step 8: Create a Pillow from a Dress

To create a pillow from the thrifted dress, follow steps 1-4. However, this time you will be sewing down the sides of the dress.

Step 9: Using the Dress Buttons for Pillow Enclosure

Use the front of the dress as the back of the pillow. A great thing about this is that you will not have to cut the square into two pieces because of the button-down front. Cut the square the same size as the front square while the dress is buttoned. The buttoned side will work as the pillow enclosure! Since there is a button enclosure, there is no need to sew the inside edges. Put the two right sides together and sew all the way around. When you turn the pillow right side out, this is what the pillow should look like on the back side.

Step 10: Add Pom-Poms (Optional)

Add pom-poms to the side by hand stitching them on before putting the pillow insert inside the case.

And there you have it! I loved this project! It was easy and so affordable — the dress cost $3 and the shirt was 50 cents!

Do you love stylish decor on the cheap? Check out these DIY butterfly chairs!

DIY butterfly chairs!