How to Make a Pillow Cover by Repurposing Old Jeans
Find out what to do with old jeans with this easy, step-by-step sewing tutorial.
Before you finish cleaning out your wardrobe, learn how to make a pillow cover by repurposing old jeans. This free step-by-step sewing tutorial will teach you how to make a denim pillowcase by upcycling jeans that no longer fit or have holes in the knees.
Use jeans in varying washes for a lovely contrasting effect. You can offset the colors by sewing in orange ribbon and really highlight the chevron shape. If you're looking for old jeans ideas, this is a fantastic project for making denim pillow covers. Denim is so sturdy, too, so this new DIY pillowcase will last you for years to come!
From the blogger: "One of my go to fabrics is denim – its so versatile and strong. One of my all time favorite makes is a denim rag quilt. Today I am going to share with you a chevron denim rag cushion. It’s perfect for using up scraps of denim from other projects."
Estimated CostUnder $10
Time to CompleteIn an evening
MaterialsFabric
Primary TechniqueSewing
Project TypeMake a Project
Materials List
- 3 pair of old jeans or more
- 18″ navy zip
- 6 meters of thin orange ribbon
How to Make a Pillow Cover By Repurposing Old Jeans
Directions
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Start with the back of the cushion cover. Check your jeans, pick the pair with a wide and straight leg. Cut off the hem of the jeans and then cut the leg off at 18″. Cut down the seam with the most curve leaving a straight line. Next cut a further piece of denim 18″ long from the other leg.
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Place together – check the two pieces will make a 18″ square. If not add another panel.
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Turn and press an edge, place along the zip. Pin and stitch using a zipper foot. Repeat for the other side of the zip. Trim the back of your cushion to 19″ square.
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For the front panel cut a 18″ square of denim. If necessary piece together pieces of denim.
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Using a quilters ruler and tailors chalk mark down the center. Fold a square of paper diagonally in half. Place on your denim to use as a guide to mark the stitch line for your strips of denim. Mark several stitch lines both sides of the center.
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Cut a number of strips of denim measuring 1 1/2″wide. Pin to the cushion with ribbon down the center of the strip. Stitch in place to secure.
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Place your next strip parallel, with your ribbons being approximately 1″ apart. Stitch to secure. Continue until you have finished one side.
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Repeat for the second side, ensuring you are aligning the ribbons at the center of the cushion.
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Snip in the denim strips up to the ribbon. Snip 1/4″ apart down both sides of every strip.
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Partly unzip the zip. Place right sides together of the cushion. Stitch with 1/2″ seam allowance.
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Turn right side out – lastly wash your cushion to roughen up the edges. Tip – do not place in the washing machine with other items unless you wish to be pulling lots of threads of denim off your clothes (learn form my mistake!).
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Fill with an 18″ cushion.
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Cheryl E
Feb 20, 2018
This is a great idea to recycle old jeans into a colorful pillow. The instructions call for using three pairs of old jeans which seems like a lot. However, I found I could use a plain muslin square to stitch all the denim strips and ribbon onto and use muslin for the back of the pillow and only used one pair of jeans. Fun project.
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