Warm and Cozy Pillows

Cuddle with some denim pillows during the chilly autumn nights.

• Ruler
• Tracing paper
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Vintage or worn 100-percent wool sweater
• Denim jeans
• Sewing machine
• Sewing thread
• Iron
• Ironing board
• Sewing needle
• Buttons in assorted sizes
• Polyester fiberfill or a ready-made pillow insert
• Long needle for button-tufting (optional)

1. Determine pillow size and draw a tracing-paper pattern. Add a 1/2-inch seam allowance all around and cut out the pattern.

2. For added texture, felt the sweater or woven wool by immersing in a large Dutch oven filled halfway with water. Bring the water to boiling and boil for 30 minutes. Carefully remove the sweater. Wring out the excess water when the sweater is cool enough to handle. Dry the sweater in a dryer.

3. For the pillow front, cut pieces from the felted wool and denim. Sew the pieces together, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance, for a patchwork appearance.

4. Use the tracing-paper pattern to trim the pillow front to size.

5. For the pillow back, cut and piece two pieces of wool to the same size as the pillow front. Right sides facing, sew the front to the back, using a 1/2-inch seam allowance and leaving a long opening in one side for turning. Clip the corners, turn the pillow cover to the right side, and press.

6. Stuff the pillow with fiberfill or a ready-made pillow insert. Slip-stitch the opening closed.

7. To tuft the pillow, securely sew a button to the center front, using a long threaded needle. Push the needle through to the pillow back and return it to the front through the button hole, pulling the thread tight. Secure a button to the back of the pillow. Pull the thread tight, knot the end closest to the button, and cut the thread.

• Sew together alternating squares of felted wool and denim for a patchwork throw.
• Sew together scraps of clothing, such as plaid flannel shirts or wool skirts, to make the pillows.