Don't Toss Old Shirts & Sweatshirts. Repurpose Them Into Unique Custom Pillows

Most of us have a bunch of old T-shirts lying around that we never wear, but with which we also can't bear to part. That being said, whether it's that novelty tee you bought on a trip, your kid's first shirt worn to daycare, or that sweater you donned on a first date with your now-partner, there is a great way to hold onto them a little longer without putting adverse pressure on yourself to wear them. Even better, you can even make them a part of your home decor as you do so. In just a few easy steps, you can repurpose the old shirts that are taking up space in your home by turning them into unique, super personal pillowcases. 

With this hack you can use both T-shirts and sweatshirts, so whatever you have in your collection is totally workable. To start, grab everything you want to use, flip it inside-out, and place a pillow insert inside. For a fully upcycled DIY, use one from a cushion you already have but aren't loving anymore. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to keep your existing cushions as they are, grab some on Amazon for around $20. Wherever you source the inner, once you have it positioned inside, create a border around it with pins, keeping the bottom open, and you're on your way to what's sure to become one of your favorite throw cushions yet. 

Once all of your pins are in place, remove the pillow and sew the top and sides of the shirt together. From there, you can snip off the sleeves or any other remaining fabric. As for that unsewn open section, that's where you'll place your zip or buttons. What you choose to close up your pillow will depend on personal preference. If you are more partial to travel-themed decorating and have a collection of shirts from camping trips or visits to more rustic locations, wooden buttons would look great (and are available on Amazon for around $10 for a pack of 50). Alternatively, choose a button that reminds you of the trip, like airplanes.

Using your child's special first-day-of-school shirt? Pick something related to their interests at the time — the trick is to think outside the box. As for zips, these could easily be matched to the color of the shirt itself. They'll create a cleaner line, alongside making for easier removal, but the downside is that putting zips in is a considerably tougher task. If you need pointers, DIY Sewing Tips has a great YouTube tutorial for newbies. Nothing helps bring character into a home like personal touches, and few things are as personal as your old tees and sweatshirts so this hack will definitely be both a talking point and a precious memento.