Introduction: Mini T-Shirt Pillows

By Art by Ariana on Instagram
About: I am a conceptual artist, and my DIY projects are mostly inspired by pop culture (movies, music, sports, TV). I mostly specialize in painting, graphic design, drawing, digital photography, performance art, and…

These old t-shirts turned little pillows may be a bit small in size, but they're obviously big on style, personality, and creativity!

Step 1: What You'll Need

This project is very easy! All you need are...

  • old t-shirts
  • a 12 x 12 inch canvas
  • small pot lids
  • pencil
  • marker
  • scissors
  • straight pins
  • sewing machine
  • needle & thread
  • pillow stuffing

Step 2: Prep T-Shirt

First, use your canvas or pot lid to create your pillow shapes. Here, I am using a blue tank top from the CRUSH by ABC Family clothing line for Wet Seal. You can trace around the canvas with a pencil or marker, so you will have a path on which you cut through the shirt. Make sure that you pin through the shirt, so that way, you'll be able to cut 2 pieces from it.

Step 3: Prep 2 Pieces of Fabric

Next, after you cut through the shirt, take out the pins, and you should have 2 pieces. These will be hints of what to come when you start sewing them together into an actual pillowcase.

Step 4: Sew Together

Then, sew the pieces together, using a 1/2" seam allowance. You will do all the sides, but make sure you leave a small hole on one of the sides to fill with stuffing.

Step 5: Prep Pillowcase

Then, turn the pillowcase inside out, so that the pattern or design will show on the front and back.

Step 6: Fill and Sew

Then, fill the pillowcase with stuffing to the desired amount and hand sew it close.

Step 7: Circle Pillows

These are just some step by step photos on how to follow the same concept, but in the making of a circle shaped pillow. This one is probably one of the more difficult pillows to complete, because these were supposingly circular shaped. The t-shirt that I'm using for this one is a Muppets t-shirt.

Step 8: Complete!

These mini pillows make great gifts, and also adds some color and fun to any bedroom, dorm room, even your couch. These also make great travel pillows, too! Best part? you can actually save money just by making your own pillows out of old t-shirts!

The t-shirts I've used are:

  • Elvis Presley
  • Minnie Mouse
  • The Muppets
  • Crush by ABC Family for Wet Seal