I love to find ways to reuse and recycle things in my making. My one of a kind dolls often include vintage and recycled fabrics and buttons. When I was looking for an easy way to re-cover some cushions I realised I had all I needed to make two really simple jumper cushion covers.

My kids have a little sofa in their playroom. A couple of their cushion covers were a long way past their best so I decided to re-cover them.

I wanted a really simple and cheap way to upgrade these cushions. So I decided to recycle old jumpers and make new jumper cushion covers.

Simple cover

The first cover was a very simple one. I took a plain grey woolen jumper. I began by cutting off the top, including the arms, having measured that the area remaining was larger than the cushion pad that would go inside.

Next I turned the jumper inside out and machine stitched the bottom closed. The two sides of the jumper were still intact and sewn together. However, the width of the jumper was slightly larger than the cushion pad, so I also stitched down one side so that it would fit correctly around the pad.

With three sides together it was time to close up the final side. ‘Proper’ cushion covers would add a zip or other fastenings here so the pad could be removed for cleaning. I decided that as this was a quick project to make a simple playroom cushion. As a result I chose to simply sew the final side closed.

I turned the jumper the right way out and put the cushion pad inside. Using a thick embroidery floss cotton in the same grey colour as the jumper I ladder stitched all the way along the final side.

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Ladder stitch is a great way to neatly close up two edges. I use it all the time in my doll making. One day I will remember to post a tutorial on how to ladder stitch.

Our plan was to add on colourful pom poms to the sides, however the kids decided they liked the simplicity of this finished cushion. If we add pom poms further down the line then I’ll add an update here.

Tied arms cover

The second cushion used an old blue Superdry jumper. The cushion pad fitted almost perfectly inside this jumper. This meant very little sewing was required. I turned the jumper inside out and stitched the bottom edge closed. Next, I turned the jumper back the right way out and stuffed the pad in through the neck.

I hand stitched the top edge together to close up the opening by folding the back of the jumper over just enough to cover up the hole.

This just left the arms. Rather than cutting them off and sewing up the sides I spread them across the front of the cushion and tied them together. There was a bit of tweaking and straightening up required to make it all look neat. Once I was happy with the look I stitched the cuffs together to seal it. Then I stitched along the sleeves to fasten them to the body so it wouldn’t be pulled apart.

All done – two cushion covers to update the playroom. Made using recycled jumpers so there was no cost involved and so simple they too hardly any time to make.

I’d love to make some more covers with a lovely cable knit – I might need to keep an eye out in charity shops for one. Wonder whether Chris Evans has finished with his Knives Out sweater yet?