Bow-Tie Sweater Pillow

Ahh, another sweater refashion.  Seriously, refashions make me happy.  And add in sweaters for winter...?  Fun!  Is anyone getting sick of them yet?  Oh well.  "You get what you get and you don't get upset" (-quote, Pinkalicious book).Anyways, since I've been so inspired by those lovely sweater pillows, I figured I'd try it out myself!
My Bow-Tie Sweater Pillow!

And, of course, I have the tutorial for you to make your own!!  (Just a heads up, sorry the pictures are not great since it was taken at night.)
First off, get yourself an old sweater that is fairly long (thrifted or one you don't wear).  Optional:  Try to find a sweater with a belt like the one shown below to create the bow tie.

I always loved how comfy this sweater, but it was getting on and it needed to retire.  But it was still in decent shape to refashion into a pillow!  I loved the chunky, yet tightly woven knit, it was perfect for a pillow!

I used the center/back of the sweater for my pillow, so I had to remove the belt loops.  If you have them be sure to be very careful and precise not to snip the sweater, just the threads holding the loops.

Next, I laid the pillow form onto the back of the sweater, right side facing the pillow.

Using the bottom hem of the sweater, fold it over half of the pillow like so.

Now pin along the sides of the pillow, making it fairly snug (since sweaters tend to stretch/lose shape when sewn).

Now, fold over the remaining end (top portion) of the sweater, overlapping the other end.

Again, start pinning it snug against the pillow.

Be sure the top is overlapping the bottom so there is no gap.

Once you've finished pinning, carefully remove the pillow from inside the sweater.

Sew along the pinned lines, then sew a zig zag stitch over it.

Now you can place your pillow inside and see how it fits.  The sweater may have gotten stretched out a bit (you can remedy that by putting it through the wash as the sweater is directed) or just shape the sweater around the pillow as it needs.

If your sweater is a tad boring like mine, you can then add a bow tie.  

I used the belt that came with the sweater.  If you don't have one, you could also use thick ribbon (although it may not have the same 'look' as mine).

Cut about an 18 inch piece from the belt.

  

Fold the two ends toward the middle and pin.

Sew a straight line down the middle, connecting all of the layers of the sweater.

Then, cut another piece of the belt, about 6 inches long.  Place it under the middle of that sewn piece (to create the middle of the bow).

Fold over the flaps and hand sew it onto the other piece.

  

Then, hand sew it onto the middle of the pillow front.

 Yay!  You are done!  Place it on your bed/sofa/chair and admire.

This is how the back will look.  Envelope closure style.

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