How To Make A Cushion From A Jumper

Upcycle your old clothing to stunning effect, with this easy tutorial showing you how to make a cushion from a jumper.

I love a bit of upcycling. I’ve already shown you how to make a tote bag from upcycled materials, but when it comes to what to do with old clothes that can’t go to charity shops, it can be tricky knowing where to start.

Thankfully, the lovely Juliet Bawden from the blog Creative Colour is here to teach us how to make a cushion from a jumper. It’s ideal if you have an old jumper with damaged or ripped sleeves, as this DIY doesn’t use that part.

The good news is that you don’t have to be too crafty to be able to turn your old jumper into a cosy cushion. All you need is some very basic sewing skills – you don’t even need to have a sewing machine!

How To Make A Cushion From A Jumper

Here are the full steps you need to know to turn an old, unloved jumper into a beautiful cushion:

You Will Need

• 1 old, clean jumper
• Thread
• Wool
• A cushion pad – reuse an old one if possible.

Equipment Required

• Sewing machine (optional)
• Scissors
• Pins
• Seam ripper – try Hobbycraft
• Tapestry needle – again, try Hobbycraft
• Clothes shaver (optional) – I have the Steamery model from Dunelm, and I love it!

Instructions

• Before you start to make your cushion, wash and dry your jumper. If it’s particularly bobbly, use the clothes shaver on it to remove any bobbles.
• Using the seam ripper, open up the side seams, as shown in the photo below:

• Cut two identical rectangles – one from the front and one from the back of the jumper. It helps to make a paper template first, which you can pin to the jumper to guide your cutting. Be sure each rectangle includes the jumper’s bottom edge, as that finished hem will give you a neat edge for your project.
• With the two right sides facing each other, pin them together so that when pinned together, the jumper is now inside out.
• Using a 1 cm seam allowance, sew the rectangles together around 3 of the sides. Leave what was the bottom of the jumper open, as the welt (the bottom of the jumper) will have a neat, un-frayed edge. For the sewing, if you are not using a sewing machine, then I would recommend using a back stitch to give more durability.
• Turn the cover inside out, so that it is now the right way up. Insert the cushion pad, close up what was the bottom of the jumper with an oversew stitch, and you’re done!
• Cosy up on the sofa with your new cushion, a cup of tea, and a good book!

More Upcycling Tips

Thanks, Juliet – I am going to be trying this for sure! I have a lovely jumper that my youngest daughter has almost grown out of. My eldest wore the same jumper too, and I’m far too sentimental to part with it, so I think it would make a brilliant cushion when it no longer fits.

If you are looking for more upcycling tips, I’ve got some for you:

• Try my post on no-sew ways to upcycle your clothes if you like easy crafts.
• Meanwhile, this post on ways to reuse old clothes has heaps more creative upcycling ideas.