DIY Network

Coat Pillows Turn old coats into new pillows. From "B. Original" episode DBOR-606

Turn castoff coats into posh pillows.

Tattered, battered and hopelessly out of date: Those old coats may seem trashed, but in the right hands they can become treasures.

Just ask Michele Beschen. A pro at finding new uses for old items, the B. Original host gives old coats a fabulous new life as stylish pillows. You'll be surprised how good those old coats can look – and how easy these fun pillows are to make. Scroll down to get started.

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Coat Pillows

Materials:

wool or fur coat with lining
pillow form or old pillow
straight pins
scissors
needle and thread
sewing machine

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• Head to the closet, basement or thrift store to find outdated winter coats. Keep an eye out for decorative details to showcase in the pillows; Michele Beschen likes to use wool or fur coats for this project.

• Use scissors to remove the coat lining.

• Determine which part of the coat will become the front of the pillow.

• Create a pattern. Michele Beschen used the packaging from her 18" by 18" pillow form as a pattern (figure A).

• Position the pattern on the coat, pin it into place and cut out the material for the pillow front.

• Use the same pattern to cut out the pillow back. Michele Beschen used the coat’s lining for the back of her pillow.

• Line up the fabric pieces with right sides together and pin around the edges.

• Set up the sewing machine with a heavy-duty needle and thread. If working with a fur coat, consider using a leather needle.

• Sew a straight stitch about 1/2" in from the edge all the way around, leaving an opening about 6" long on one side (figure B).

• Remove the pins, turn the project right-side out and insert the pillow or pillow form.

• Smooth out the pillow, filling the corners (figure C).

• Turn the edges of the opening in (figure D), pin and stitch closed with a needle and thread.