Just about anyone can purchase fabric that coordinates with their room and make matching throw pillows, but here are some ideas for making throw pillows that you may not have thought of yet.
1. Make bright terry cloth pillows for kid’s rooms and play rooms by folding beach towels in half and sewing two sides closed. Insert a pillow form and close with Velcro. This way you can remove the covering and wash it as often as you need to.
2. Transform favorite pieces of clothing into throw pillows. You can take a t-shirt, cut off the arms and sew the openings closed for a neat pillow covering. You can also use fine adult clothing to make pillows. Instead of discarding a tweed skirt or angora sweater cut two squares out of the fabric, and the lining as well. If the item does not have lining, cut a lining out of old sheets. Place the fabric front sides of the fabric in with the on both sides and sew it shut leaving enough space to turn and stuff the pillow. Finish sewing the pillow after stuffing it. You can do the same with a silk blouse. Cut the front side of the pillow from the front of the buttoned blouse. This would make a lovely circular pillow. Sew the pillow all the way around and unbutton it to stuff with a pillow form. You can purchase the pillow form from the store or make it from cheap cotton fabric and batting cut the same size as the circle pillow. Re-button the pillow and use invisible stitching to ensure the pillow stays closed. Another idea for a clothing pillow is a combination pants and shirt. Start by turning a pair of Jeans or pants into a pillowcase by cutting off the legs and sewing them closed. Take a pillow made from a t-shirt or blouse, the same width as the Jeans or slacks but longer, and insert so that 1/3 or more of the inner pillow is showing. Hand stitch the pillows in place and top it off the pillow off with a belt through the belt loops.
3. Make pillows to match your throw blankets. The next time you purchase new throw blankets for your room, purchase an extra blanket or two to make matching pillows. Cut the pillow shapes out of the blanket and lining, sew, and stuff your pillows.
4. Make fuzzy and textured pillows from bath floor mats. Make sure you choose mats with a thin rubber backing so you can get a needle through it. You will probably have to sew it by hand. You can cut both sides of the pillow from the floor mat, or use shower curtain material for the backside. These pillows will look great in your bathroom.
5. Accessorize your pillows. Dress up a plain pillow by sewing buttons onto it, or by hot gluing silk flower heads on the pillow. Cover the entire pillow front. Create an Asian themed pillow by wrapping a short bolster pillow with a bamboo placemat, and tie it with raffia. Sew or attach junk jewelry to your pillows for extra pizzazz.
