Memory pillows provide a cozy, comfy way to remember loved ones while traveling since they are smaller than a memory quilt.
Materials needed for this project include sentimental shirts. You may wish to embellish them further by adding embroidery details or appliques, photo transfers, buttons, or ribbons for added flair and visual interest.
Preparing the Shirts
No matter what the shirt is from, be it from your travels or one belonging to a dearly departed, turning it into a cozy pillow is an easy and thoughtful way to keep it alive for future generations. These step-by-step instructions will guide you through this transformation into a kind keepsake.
Start this project off right by gathering all of the required materials, including any sentimental shirts you might use as inspiration. Next, establish an area with enough light so you can execute each step more smoothly while quickly seeing any errors or modifications needed during pillow making.
Once all your materials are prepared, you can begin the pillow-making process. Begin by unbuttoning and turning your shirt. Lay it flat across your work surface and use a ruler to draw straight lines down each side using arm seams as guides. When satisfied with the line length, use pins to keep both the front and back sides of the shirt tightly aligned as you sew along each side.
After sewing the side seams, place your pillow insert in the opened bottom of the shirt. Button up and turn right side out to ensure that it fits snugly within its opening. Once your pillow is filled to your liking, fold its raw edges inside before stitching the opening closed using either needle or machine stitching.
Personalizing a memory shirt pillow further requires adding custom embellishments that reflect its meaning and design. These embellishments may include embroidery of names or dates or patches with important symbols like dates or patches; fabric markers for creating personalized messages or quotes meaningful to you or loved ones; decorative buttons or ribbons added for additional flair and visual appeal; and adding decorative buttons or ribbons that give it visual flair and extra flair.
Cutting Out the Shirt Panels
The key to creating your memory pillow is cutting out shirt panels for its body. Here, you can showcase your creative side to craft something genuinely one-of-a-kind as a keepsake!
Beginning your pillow-making adventure requires selecting an item of sentimental value to you or someone special, plus other essential materials like scissors, needle and thread (or sewing machine), fiberfill/pillow stuffing material, straight pins, and optional marking tools like fabric markers. Next step? Layout the shirt(s) you have selected before visualizing how you want the final pillow design to look; consider patchwork or quilting techniques for an original touch!
Once your shirt panels are cut out, the next step is sewing them together. Whether using a sewing machine or doing this by hand, use a strong and durable stitch that matches the color of your shirt panels for best results. When finished, leave an opening so that the pillow can be turned inside-out before filling it; if sewing with a machine, it might help to close this opening with a simple running stitch to close any gaps left between.
Make the most of your memory pillow! Now is an ideal opportunity to remember someone special in your life or give something extra special as a thoughtful present.
Kidderbug Kreations would be pleased to transform any shirt into an unforgettable memory pillow for you or a loved one. We can personalize each pillow by including embroidery or other details in its design – please reach out with your order! Once it is received, production takes approximately 1-2 weeks, after which it will be sent directly home with you as an unforgettable keepsake!
Stuffing the Pillow
Tara Rex of Tara Rex uses a white cotton shirt in this video to demonstrate how simple pillows can be sewn and stuffed quickly and easily – an excellent gift idea for loved ones who have experienced the loss of someone special – or for yourself!
Step one is to prepare the pillow cover. Your shirt should be clean, without rips or holes, and any buttons or snaps from its collar and pocket areas should be removed, if applicable.
Next, cut a piece of fabric large enough to cover the front of your pillow plus 2″ on either side – solid colors work best here; for patterns or prints, use pins so they won’t shift while sewing; use matching thread to sew around this edge leaving a 5-inch opening in one side for stuffing purposes.
Turn the shirt right-side-out and clip corners as needed to ensure they’re straight. There is no need for precision, as you will turn and stitch it later in the process.
Stuff your pillow with stuffing, making sure that all areas are filled up and that all corners are pressed in as you work. Shredded memory foam inserts work well, or polyester batting may work too. As with other hard materials like microbeads or seeds, occasionally redistribute and add more stuffing as necessary.
Step four is stitching the pillow together. You have several options when it comes to stitching the pillow – either hand stitching it by hand or sewing machine, depending on what works for you and what resources are available. When using a sewing machine, be sure to select a thread color that either complements or at least blends with your shirt color for the best results.
Memory pillows are a fantastic way to remember and honor a departed loved one, providing comforting reminders of their kindness and warmth – especially useful for people suffering from anxiety or depression.
Sewing the Pillow Closed
Closing your pillow can be done in various ways. Ribbon ties work great for this type of pillow while adding buttons adds a decorative flourish. Another popular approach is envelope-style closure, which creates a neat back while still leaving an opening for inserting and removing pillow form efficiently – perfect for laundering purposes as well as for those looking for quick projects to complete quickly and effortlessly.
When making an envelope closure, start with a piece of fabric the size and shape of your finished pillow cover front. Fold it with right sides together so the two ends meet at one center (right sides together), right sides facing out, so right sides together; make two sewing passes down each side, leaving an opening 3-4 inches wide at one end – this opening will allow for stuffing your pillow!
Once your two sides edges have been sewn together, fold down the bottom edge and pin along both sides. Align two outer edges of your zipper half with two corners of the fabric panel and sew along them – remembering to allow for a 2.5cm (1 in) seam allowance each time – being sure to stitch right through zipper stitches to tuck them inside of the pillow cover panel.
Attach the second panel to the top of your pillow cover by aligning its zipper center line with the ironed crease line that was created earlier. Pin this panel down, aligning its zipper center line with that ironed crease line created earlier, and sew along that same seam allowance of 2.5cm as you did previously (using your machine if possible).
Once both panels have been sewn together, trim off any excess fabric from the corners and clip your corner clips before turning your pillow right-side out through its 3-4 inch wide opening at one end. If adding a zipper, now would be a good time to insert it.
This quick and straightforward pillow project can be completed in under 30 minutes! Customize it to suit your tastes with different fabrics and colors to find your design – or give it a unique present!
