Easy T-shirt Pillow Upcycle Craft

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You may have gathered that my family likes science, Big Bang Theory and other nerdy pursuits.  I was at the thrift store looking for items to repurpose when I found the perfect t-shirt to amuse my family. I immediately knew that I wanted to whip up an easy t-shirt pillow upcycle project.  Amazingly, this cute pillow only took me about 10 minutes to make.

black pillow on red couch. Pillow says, "Back in my day we had nine planets." with reading glasses laying on couch.

Easy T-shirt Pillow Upcycle Craft

You can use a t-shirt you already have or you can head to the thrift store to look for one.

The great thing about making a pillow from a t-shirt is that the t-shirt fabric is soft and perfect for a comfy pillow. You can also find t-shirts in every color imaginable and in endless choices of designs.

T-Shirt Pillow Supplies

  • T-shirt in good condition
  • Pillow form that fits inside the body of the t-shirt with 1/2 inch extra fabric on each side.
  • Sewing machine – You could hand sew the fabric.
  • Matching thread
  • Scissors

Craft Project Tutorial

The t-shirt I found at the thrift store looked like it had never been worn, so all I had to do was wash it and cut it 1/2 inch larger than my pillow form. My pillow form was 12 x 12 inches so I cut my t-shirt into a 12 1/2 inch x 12 1/2 inch square. 

I wasn’t able to center the image in the middle of the square because it was printed higher up on the t-shirt.  But hey, it’s just for a fun pillow, so it’s no big deal.

black t-shirt on green cutting board with image cut out in square

If your shirt has a design, turn the design side down and place it on top of the other square of fabric.

I used a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

I sewed around each side twice to make sure the knit material was secure. (I am by no means a seamstress and this is my not-a-seamstress solution.  A real seamstress would know exactly the correct stitch to use is.  But again, hey, this is just a fun pillow, so no big deal.)  

I turned the pillow cover inside out.

I inserted the pillow form and sewed the opening shut by hand.

overhead view of pillow with final seam to be sewn closed

In just 10 minutes I created this fun pillow. I was quite pleased.

black pillow made from t-shirt with planets on it sitting red couch with pair of glasses in foreground

My son immediately adopted the pillow for his room. (And as any mom knows, that’s the highest compliment!)

black pillow that says "Back in my day we had nine planets" on a red couch

My entire family was charmed by this cuddly pillow.  The t-shirt material makes it super soft and cozy, so be on the lookout for fun t-shirts you can repurpose into a pillow.  You could easily repurpose a favorite t-shirt you already have into your own keepsake pillow.

Be sure to pin this easy T-shirt pillow upcycle craft so you can find the tutorial later when you find the perfect t-shirt for your own pillow.

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11 Comments

  1. Hi Susan – We don’t have 9 planets any more? The second I saw this t-shirt, I knew that your son would be stealing it! It’s so very…. My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nine Pizzas! Hugs, Holly

  2. Pingback: CraftCrave | DigiFree | CraftCrave
  3. I love this t-shirt pillow! I bet all of your kids end up “owning” the pillow at one time or another. If I were you, I would be on the search for another great t-shirt.

  4. I like to make my pillow covers removable for washing; so cut out the back piece a little longer to accommodate cutting in 2 pieces. Fold over 1/2-1 inch of each edge, and sew in a zipper. If your skills aren’t zipper friendly, sew snaps instead

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