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How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Introduction

Do your kids ever seem to grow out of clothes in a matter of months? Although I have a network of recipients among my siblings and friends, from time to time my children find it difficult to part with certain items of clothing. Since we do a lot of road trips, I decided to put one of my son's favorite (too small for him) sweatshirts to good use and pack a travel pillow to keep him comfortable on long drives.

Step 1

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Preparation template

Print and cut out two copies of the travel pillow template (get the free printout above) and glue them together. Lay the 1s back to back to form a U-shaped pillow template (see step 5 below).

Step 2

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Remove hood

Cut just below the seam line, remove the hood from a hoodie.

Step 3

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Open the hood

Cut out the front area where the hood is attached.

Stage 4

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Trim

Cut the seam from the bottom of the hood.

Step 5

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Cut body

Place the pillow template on the front of the sweatshirt over the logo or design. I wanted the pockets to be part of the pillow, so I made sure a good portion of the bottom of the template was above the pocket. Pin template down. Cut the front and back layers of the sweatshirt around the pattern, creating two pieces.

Pro Tip

In order for the template to form the "U" shape, you will need to flip one side of the template over and then tape it down.

Step 6

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Attach Hood:Part 1

Lay the top of the cushion fabric (with the pocket) up quite a bit. Fold the hood in half and lie down. Place the cover on top of the cushion, aligning the center of the back of the cover to the center of the inside curve of the top of the cover.

Step 7

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Attach Hood:Part 2

Open the hood and attach the bottom of it to the inside curve of the cushion piece. Sew along the pinned edge, securing the hood to the top cushion piece.

Step 8

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Fold

Tuck the top of the hood under itself.

Step 9

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Sew the background

Place the bottom cushion piece (right side down) on top and pin in place. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance around the cushion, making sure not to sew the hood. As I sewed around the cushion, I periodically lifted the seam to make sure the hood was out of the way. Leave a two-inch opening at the top of the cushion.

Step 10

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Things

Turn the pillow to the right and fill it with polyester fiberfill.

Step 11

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Ending

Use a whip to close the opening at the top closed.

Step 12

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

How to Recycle a Hoodie into a Cozy Travel Pillow

Debbie Wolfe

Enjoy

The hooded neck pillow has small pockets on both sides of the hood that are large enough to hold a cell phone or earphones, perfect for travel!

Pro Tip

Aren't you preparing one of these pillows for yourself or your family? They make great inexpensive gifts for your travel-loving friends.