While decluttering closets and swapping out winter items recently, I found myself with a pile of clothes I no longer wore. Instead of donating everything, I kept several pieces that had great fabric and textures and repurposed them into throw pillows. Pillows are a fantastic way to give new life to fabric remnants—almost any textile can become a cozy, decorative cushion. Below I share five simple, creative ways to make pillows from leftover sheets, dresses, sweaters, tea towels and more.
Until recently, the living room featured a set of warm, fall-toned pillows made from fabrics I had on hand. They were a quick fix after our pup went through a destructive phase and shredded several cushions, and those replacements served well through autumn. When I added a new blue-and-grey rug, however, the fall colors clashed. That inspired me to sew new neutral covers with soft blue accents that coordinate better with the room and an upcoming metallic holiday theme.
Here’s a closer look at the updated cushions and how each one was made from ordinary fabric remnants.
1. Sheet Upcycle: A Soft, Year-Round Neutral Pillow
This pillow began as a sateen sheet that had worn thin and torn in the center, but the pattern and hand were still lovely. I cut away the damaged section and used the rest to sew a pillow cover. The fabric’s neutral tones make this cushion versatile enough for any season, and the soft sateen gives it a comfortable, polished look.
2. Lace Dress Remnant: Pleated Lace Pillow Cover
A pretty lace dress with a white lining became this delicate pillow. The lace layer was larger than the lining, so I draped it over the pillow form, gathered the excess, and stitched it down like a simple concealed pleat. After trimming away the top of the dress and removing any skirt pleating seams, the lace lay flat and created a subtle center pleat that adds texture and visual interest.
The finished effect is an elegant, textured pillow that looks more expensive than the materials suggest.
3. Sweater Pillow: Cozy Knit Texture with Yarn Accents
A snug sweater that no longer fit my son was a perfect candidate for a cozy pillow cover. I cut the sweater into panels, sewed them into a cushion shape, and left the knit edges for a soft finish. To embellish, I used leftover yarn from recent craft projects to create a ribbon-like wrap across the pillow—securing one end, winding it around several times, and stitching the other end in place. Fabric glue works fine for this step if you’d rather avoid more sewing.
That knitted surface and the yarn detail make the cushion feel handcrafted and festive—perfect for colder months or to add layered texture to a sofa.
4. Blue Sheet Turned Pillow with Tassels
A blue sheet that fell victim to a laundry mishap—faded with unwanted pink from a stray red item—still had plenty of usable fabric. I cut and sewed a simple envelope pillow cover and used leftover yarn to make tassels at each corner. Tassels are an easy, high-impact embellishment that give a handmade pillow a playful finish.
5. Antique Tea Towel and Linen: A Boho Two-Sided Pillow Cover
An antique handwoven tea towel from Greece had beautiful detailing but wasn’t large enough on its own to cover a standard pillow form. I paired it with a scrap of linen from my fabric stash—this linen had a small pink wash mark from another laundry mistake, but the frayed edge added charm. I folded the towel so the decorative edge showed, layered the linen across the center, and stitched it in place half an inch below the towel’s fringe. After sewing the top and bottom, the pillow has a bohemian front with fringed detail and a simple checked linen back.
Working with small, unique textiles like tea towels or linen scraps is a great way to add personality to your cushions. The frays and woven details contribute a handcrafted, boho vibe.
Repurposing fabric remnants into pillow covers is an easy, satisfying DIY that reduces waste and refreshes your decor on a small budget. Tips to keep in mind: measure your pillow form before cutting, allow for seam allowances, test embellishments like yarn wraps or tassels before permanently attaching them, and embrace mismatched textures for a layered look. If you tire of one style, you can always swap covers or create new ones from other discarded garments.
Which style would you try first?
I enjoy reading your comments and will do my best to respond—your feedback and ideas inspire future DIY projects.
This blog post is for inspiration and entertainment; the project notes are friendly tips rather than professional advice.