Band Tee

DIY: Fitted Tee Pillow

By B.Nova - Thursday, May 16, 2013

So if you are like me, there are a few fitted tees that I refuse to part with, especially novelty and band tees. I came up with the idea of making them into a pillow because it was a lot easier than cutting it into a square for a t-shirt quilt. (Trust me when I say the more stretch a shirt has the harder it is to quilt it.) This project will also work for regular t-shirts too!

This seemed like something anyone could with or without a sewing machine and can be finished in a couple hours or an afternoon depending on which you use. I used a sewing machine but both would work here. The best part is there is little waste left once this project is finished! These make great gifts too!

As always if you have any questions be sure to send me a message or place it in the comment section below!

Here is what it looks like when all is said and done:

 
This is one of my favorite shirts that I refuse to part with and now I won't have to worry if it would last another wash in the washing machine!
 
So here is what you need:
 

 
 - Fitted tee - that is clean and not too worn
 - Fiberfill - used to stuff the inside of the pillow (it can be found at any store with a fabric section)
- Needle and Thread - try to match your thread as much as possible to your tee
 - Scissors - (not pictured but very important - I totally forgot to put them in - oops!)
- Pins - these will keep your seams from moving
- Ruler
- Sewing Machine (optional)
 
 
1. Turn the shirt inside out and lay it flat. Measure about 2 to 2 1/2 inches up from the bottom hem and cut. (If you have a tag on the side of the shirt like mine, you can use that to mark where to cut also). Don't throw this piece away because you'll need it for the next step.
 
 




 
 

 2. Using the piece you cut off, pin the bottom hem together. Stitch across the folded hem. Once stitched then cut off the edges. This will give you a flat piece. Leaving the bottom as is will make it difficult to sew in later steps.

 
 
This is how it should roughly look when it is laid completely flat:
 
 
 
 
3. Turn the shirt back to the right side. Pin the bottom piece you just sewed together to the neck hole of the shirt. Stitch them together on the neck hole. (Note: If you are using a sewing machine, don't rush this step. When stitching a curve like this it is very easy to break your needle as it goes over the pins.)
 
Turn the shirt back on the inside and trim off your extra fabric. The main reason why I waited to trim at this step is to make sure you have enough to fit the the entire neck hole.
 

 
 
 
4. With the shirt still on the wrong side pin and stitch ONLY ONE of the sleeves. It doesn't matter which, but just don't do both. Next pin the bottom of the shirt and stitch. (If you choose to, you can trim some of the extra fabric from the seam, but it's not going to change too much if you don't)
 

 
 
 
5. Now all of your shirt should be stitched up with the exception of one sleeve. Pull the shirt through the open sleeve to the right side where the logo/graphic is showing. It's stuffin' time! Fill your shirt with as much stuffing as you desire. The more you stuff the fluffier your pillow will be. Don't forget corners and the sleeves!
 
 
6. The final step is to hand stitch the sleeve closed and now you have a pillow!
 
When I found out how quick this was for me and the fact that it would allow me to preserve some of my favorite shirts, I jumped on it! This is not the only shirt I plan on converting into a pillow either. I have a Paramore shirt from when I saw them during the Honda Civic Tour in 2010 I'm dying to turn into a pillow!
 
Well here you are fabulous people! Another D.I.Y.! Leave me comments and if you make one I'd love to see it!


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