Make a Throw Pillow from Jeans

Preserve Pretty Embroidered Jeans as a Special Gift for Grandma

Mar 11, 2008 Melissa Howard

What is more fun than a clever brag pillow for Grandma that is made from the jeans of her grandchildren.

How to make a throw pillow from reused blue jeans:

Supplies

• worn-out or outgrown jeans
• pillow with removable case
• scissors
• sewing machine
• thread
• embroidery floss
• computer fabric
• photo
• buttons
• needle

Instructions for the Block of Denim Squares

1. Measure the top of the pillow. Divide the length and width by three. This will determine the size of your blocks. For example, if the pillow measures 18” square. You would need three 6" blocks for both the width and height of the pillow, which means you will need to cut out nine 6" square blocks.
2. Take out all the jeans you’ve saved. Look at the jeans and search for creative ways to cut them up so that you add interest to the pillow. For instance, if the jeans have a fancy pocket or cool embroidery, make sure to cut the squares to include these features. Cut out nine blocks.
3. Spread your blocks and decide how you want them arranged on the pillow. Once you’ve decide on the arrangement, it is time to sew the blocks together.
4. Gather the blocks from the first row. Using a quarter-inch seam width, sew the first block to the second block and then the second block to the third block.
5. Do the same for the second and third row. Now you have three rows of blocks.
6. Sew the top row to the second row. Then sew the second row to the third row.
7. Your pillow top is finished unless you happen to have some ruffled denim trim. The sample pillow features trim from the bottom of a denim dress sewed along the two horizontal seams.
8. Trim threads and wash the square in the wash several times to fray the ends. Trim the long strings from the frayed ends.

Instructions for the Photo Patch

1. Select a picture of the grandchildren to use on the front of the pillow.
2. Open the photo in your favorite photo-editing software. Resize the photo to the size you want for a patch. Add text if it is desired. A fun motto would be a pun on jeans such as “My grandchildren have great jeans!”
3. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for printing the photo onto the fabric.

Assembling the Pillow Top

1. Select a complimentary shade of embroidery floss.
2. Use the floss and a herringbone stitch to sew the patch onto the top of the block.
3. Use more floss and a collection of buttons to sew the block onto the top of the pillowcase. Sew a button at each corner of each block to hold the block onto the top of the case.
4. Insert the pillow into the case and your project is complete.

About the Sample Project

One thing that is important to consider while choosing and cutting blocks is your ability to deal with stretch. Many styles of jeans today are made with stretchy fabric, which makes keeping the blocks even much more difficult.

Ideas and Suggestions

This would make a great Mother's Day gift or Grandparent's Day gift.

The copyright of the article Make a Throw Pillow from Jeans in Crafts is owned by Melissa Howard. Permission to republish Make a Throw Pillow from Jeans in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Jean Pillow

Close-up of Patch

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