Transform Old T-Shirts Into Comfy Tie Pillows

There are many ways to make a T-shirt pillow, whether you want to sew it by hand, use a machine, or not sew at all. The first step is to choose a T-shirt, perhaps one with a design you love or one that holds sentimental value. Then, cut the sleeves and sides of the T-shirt, and cut off the top, leaving the bottom hem intact. Depending on the type of pillow you want to make, you may need to cut the T-shirt into a specific shape, such as a square or rectangle. You can then sew the pieces together, leaving a small opening for stuffing, and then finish the pillow by sewing the opening shut. If you don't want to sew, you can make a knotted pillow by cutting fringe around the edges of the T-shirt and tying the top and bottom fringe together.

Cut the sleeves and side seams

To cut the sleeves and side seams of a T-shirt when making a pillow, you will need a sharp pair of scissors. You can use fabric scissors or any other sharp scissors you have at home.

Lay the T-shirt flat on a table or another hard surface, ensuring it is smoothed out and free of any wrinkles or creases. Starting at the top of the sleeve, cut a straight line down the whole left side of the T-shirt, then repeat on the right side. This will leave you with one front and one back piece of fabric.

If you are using a men's size large T-shirt, it is recommended to cut just a little more fabric if you are using an extra-large T-shirt. You can also trim the sides again if the fabric looks uneven after the initial cut.

Now, cut along the side seam and shoulders. This will separate the front and back pieces of the T-shirt and create two distinct pieces of fabric. Be careful not to cut through any images or designs on the shirt that you want to preserve.

Once you have cut the sleeves and side seams, you can move on to the next step of making your T-shirt pillow!

Prepare the T-shirt

Select a T-shirt: Choose a T-shirt that holds some significance to you, perhaps one with a memorable design or one that you simply like the feel of. Consider the size of the T-shirt; a Men's Large or X-Large T-shirt is recommended for an 18"x18" or 20"x20" pillow insert.

Wash and press the T-shirt: If needed, wash the T-shirt to ensure it is clean, and use an iron to remove any wrinkles. If the T-shirt has an iron-on transfer, remember to press from the wrong side and protect the image with a pressing cloth.

Cut up the sides: Place the T-shirt on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Starting at the top of one sleeve, use a pair of scissors to cut a straight line down the left side of the T-shirt, and then repeat on the right side. This will separate the front and back pieces of the T-shirt.

Remove the sleeves and collar: Cut off the sleeves and collar of the T-shirt. Cut a straight line across the top of the T-shirt, just below the neck. Be careful not to cut too much, as you want to preserve as much of the desired design as possible.

Trim the bottom: Cut off a few inches from the bottom of the front side of the T-shirt. The amount you cut off will depend on the size of the T-shirt and the desired placement of the image. For a Large T-shirt, cut off 2-4 inches, and for an X-Large, cut off 3-5 inches.

Set the pieces aside: You should now have two separate pieces: the front and back of the T-shirt. Set these pieces aside, keeping in mind that you will need to cut them to the desired size and shape later on.

Cut out the T-shirt material

Now that you have your T-shirt, it's time to cut out the material and get started on your pillow!

First, lay the T-shirt flat on a table or another hard surface. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases so that you have a clear view of the T-shirt's design and shape. If there is a design on the T-shirt that you want to preserve, make sure to keep this in mind when cutting.

Next, use a pair of sharp scissors to cut the sleeves of the T-shirt. Cut straight lines starting at the top of each sleeve, down the entire side of the T-shirt. You should now have one front and one back piece of fabric.

Now, cut off the neckline. Cut a straight line across the top of the T-shirt, just below the neck hole. Be careful not to cut too close to the neck hole, as you want to ensure a clean edge.

At this point, you can also trim the bottom of the T-shirt if needed. If you are using a Large T-shirt, you may want to cut off a few inches from the bottom to ensure the front and back pieces are even. For an X-Large T-shirt, you may need to cut off a little more.

Once you have the basic shape, it's time to refine the edges. Cut the sides of the T-shirt to create a more defined rectangle or square. If there is a design on the T-shirt, make sure to cut in a way that keeps the design centred.

Now you should have two pieces of T-shirt material that are mostly rectangular or square-shaped. If there are any uneven edges or stray threads, take this opportunity to trim them and create clean lines.

Your T-shirt material is now cut out and ready for the next steps in making your pillow!

Sew the pieces together

Sewing the pieces together is a crucial step in creating your T-shirt tie pillow. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Pin the Pieces

Before you start sewing, it is important to properly align the pieces of your T-shirt. Place the front and back pieces of the T-shirt with their right sides facing each other. This means that the printed or outer sides of the fabric should be facing one another. Smooth out any wrinkles and ensure that the edges of the fabric are aligned. Use pins to secure the pieces together, inserting them perpendicular to the edges of the fabric. Space the pins about 2 to 3 inches (5.1 to 7.6 cm) apart along the edges of the pillow.

Sew the Outer Edges

Now, it's time to sew! Set your sewing machine to the straight stitch setting and sew along the outer edges of the pinned pieces. Maintain a distance of approximately 0.5 inches (1.3 cm) from the raw edges as you sew. Remember to remove the pins as you go to avoid sewing over them, which could damage your sewing machine. Leave a small opening of about 4 inches (10 cm) on one side, which will be used for turning the pillow right side out and stuffing it.

Invert the Pillow and Stuff

Once you've sewn around the outer edges, it's time to invert the pillow. Reach through the opening you left and pull the fabric through, turning it right side out. Make sure to push out the corners to ensure they are nice and crisp. Now, it's time to stuff your pillow! Use polyester filling or any soft filling of your choice. Push the filling into the corners and edges to ensure your pillow is plump and evenly filled.

Sew the Opening Closed

After stuffing your pillow, it's time to close the opening. Fold over the raw edges of the fabric along the opening, tucking them inside the pillow to create a neat finish. Secure the folded edges with pins, then sew along the pinned edge to close the opening. Again, remember to remove the pins as you sew to avoid any damage to your sewing machine.

Your T-shirt tie pillow is now complete! You can add additional stitching along the edges of the pillow for a more defined look, sewing about a 1/4 inch (0.64 cm) from the edge. Enjoy your new pillow and the memories it holds!

Stuff the pillow

Now that you have the front and back pieces of the pillow separate from one another, it's time to stuff it!

Turn the front and back pieces of the pillow so that the right sides are facing each other. Pin around the edges to hold the fabric in place as you sew. Sew around the cut edges, leaving a margin of 1/2 inch. Leave the bottom edge or hemmed edge of the t-shirt open for stuffing.

Turn the pillow right side out and stuff with filling as full as desired. You can use the stuffing from an old pillow, or buy new filling. Make sure to use a filling that won't beard or work its way through the fabric. Be sure to push the stuffing into all corners and edges of the pillow to ensure that it is nice and plump!

Once you have stuffed the pillow, stitch the bottom closed. As the bottom hemmed edge was left intact, you can just sew across the bottom on the right side of the fabric about 1/4 inch from the bottom edge. To make the edges a little more crisp, you can sew around the other three sides about a 1/4 inch from the edge of the pillow to make a nice edging all the way around.

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