DIY Sweatshirt Pillow: Give Your Thrifted Find a Second Chance

A little school spirit, a little sewing and a whole new reason to hit the sweatshirt racks.

That college sweatshirt on the rack? It could be the missing piece in your dorm room, game-day setup or favorite cozy corner.

With a little cutting and sewing, you can transform a thrifted sweatshirt into a throw pillow that puts your school spirit—or simply a design you love—on display.

Even better, details like logos, pockets and graphics don't have to go to waste. They can become part of your finished design.

Watch the Full Tutorial

Ready to see how it all comes together? Watch the full Second Chance Studio tutorial as Jane shops Goodwill for the perfect sweatshirt, deconstructs her find, preserves its original details and walks through both ways to turn a sweatshirt into a cozy throw pillow.

What You'll Need

• Thrifted sweatshirt
• Pillow insert or stuffing
• Measuring tape
• Fabric scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Zipper
• Extra batting (optional)

Don't want to sew in a zipper? Keep reading for an easier alternative.

Step 1: Choose Your Sweatshirt

Start with a sweatshirt featuring a graphic or detail you'd like to showcase.

College and sports sweatshirts are perfect for adding school spirit to a dorm room, bedroom or game-day space, but don't stop there. A favorite character, destination, graphic or other design can work just as well.

Before cutting, look at the entire garment for details you might want to save. A sleeve logo, pocket, hood or other element could become part of this project—or your next one.

Step 2: Deconstruct the Sweatshirt

Cut the sleeves from the sweatshirt along the seams. If there's a sleeve graphic you'd like to use, cut the sleeve open along its seam and set that section aside.

Next, cut along the shoulder seams, remove the hood if there is one and separate the sides of the sweatshirt.

DIY Tip: Saving the hood for another project? Leave about an inch of fabric below it so you'll have material available for attaching it later.

Step 3: Measure Your Pillow

Measure your pillow insert before cutting your sweatshirt panels.

For this project, a 16" x 16" pillow insert is paired with two approximately 15¼" x 15¼" fabric panels, including seam allowance.

DIY Tip: Making the cover slightly smaller than the pillow insert helps create a fuller finished pillow.

Before cutting, decide which sweatshirt details you want on the front and back. A large graphic can become the focal point on one side while a kangaroo pocket or smaller logo can add interest to the other.

Step 4: Build Your Front Panel

If your sweatshirt graphic doesn't fill the entire size needed for your pillow cover, don't worry.

Use additional fabric from another section of the sweatshirt to build out the panel. Pieces added above and below a graphic can help center the design while creating an intentional, symmetrical look.

Sew your additional pieces together until you've created a square in your desired dimensions.

Step 5: Create the Back Panel

Repeat the process for the back.

This is a great place to get creative with details from elsewhere on the sweatshirt. For example, combine a kangaroo pocket with a logo cut from a sleeve to create a completely different design on the reverse.

Measure and piece together your fabric until the back panel matches the dimensions of the front.

You should now have two equal squares.

Step 6: Add the Zipper

Open your zipper and place its right side against the right side of the fabric along the bottom edge of your front panel. Pin it in place and sew.

Repeat on the back panel, attaching the other side of the zipper with the right sides together.

Once both sides of the zipper are attached, close it and place the front and back pillow panels with their right sides facing each other.

Step 7: Sew the Pillow Cover

Pin the sides together and sew the side seams.

Before sewing the top, open the zipper at least halfway. You'll need that opening to turn the pillow cover right side out once you're finished.

Pin and sew the top edge.

For a more even pillow shape, slightly curve the stitching at each corner rather than creating a sharp 90-degree angle.

Trim away excess fabric along the seams and corners.

Step 8: Turn, Stuff and Style

Turn your finished pillow cover right side out through the open zipper.

Insert your pillow form and add a little extra batting if you'd like even more fullness.

Zip it closed and your thrifted sweatshirt officially has a new job.

Want an Easier No-Zipper Version?

You can make a removable sweatshirt pillow cover without installing a zipper.

Cut open the sides of your sweatshirt, then cut straight through the armholes and across the neckline.

Sew the sides and top together, turn the sweatshirt right side out and slip it over a pillow.

Try thrifting the pillow from Goodwill, too, for an easy secondhand home decor transformation.

Because the cover remains removable, you can swap your sweatshirt designs whenever you're ready for a different look.

Make Your Space More You

One sweatshirt can add school spirit to a dorm. A collection can completely change the room.

Try mixing college logos, sports teams, characters, graphics or colors that work with your space. Whether you're decorating campus housing, a bedroom, game-day hangout or favorite chair, thrifting gives you plenty of ways to make it personal without starting from scratch.

Head to your local Goodwill Store & Donation Center and see what inspires your next DIY.

Because sometimes that sweatshirt isn't just a sweatshirt.

It's decor waiting to happen.