turn a favorite dishtowel into a pillow

Have a favorite dishtowel? One that makes you laugh? One that’s sentimental? Don’t put it to work in the kitchen. Instead, turn a favorite dishtowel into a pillow and display it where it can be seen and enjoyed. It’s incredibly easy!

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supplies needed:

• dishtowel
• 1 yard fabric
• pillow insert
• sewing machine

I spotted this funky dishtowel in a little beach shop while on vacation. Now, you might see a pig. But I see a whole lot more. I checked running a marathon off my bucket list a few years ago when I completed the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati. So, you might see a pig. With wings. But I see courage, and dreams, and a finish-line moment that fundamentally changed my self-confidence. I had to buy it. Besides, I like the homespun flavor of this sassy swine. And because a kitchen drawer just didn’t seem regal enough for this important purchase, I upcycled it into a throw pillow.

step 1 – preparing the fabric

I used a 20″ square down pillow insert, so I cut the dishtowel into a 20″ square, keeping the pig design centered. Next, I cut 2 pieces of cotton fabric, each measuring 20″ x 20″. 

I then turned the fabric under twice, creating a narrow hem, and stitched it down. I did this on one side edge of each of the 2 pieces of fabric.

Next I turned the hemmed edge down about 4″ and pressed it in place. I did this for both pieces of fabric.

step 2 – assembling the pillow cover

With right sides together, pin one piece of the fabric to the dishtowel, as shown below.

Now place the second piece of fabric on top, as shown below, and pin in place around all 4 edges. Stitch together along all four sides, using about a 1″ seam.

To soften the corners, stitch diagonally across each of the four corners. Trim the corner tip, as shown below.

step 3 – finishing touches

Turn the pillow right side out and press.

Insert a pillow form, and that’s it! Just a little cutting, a few straight seams, and you end up with a unique throw pillow. I mean, even if you haven’t heard of Cincinnati’s famous Flying Pig Marathon, this has to be the cutest damn pig you’ve ever seen.

The biggest compliment is a little share – please pin the photo below!