Categories: Decor, Pillow, Cushions

Let’s just admit that you probably have a pile of old jeans in your closet (and if not, you know someone who does). Why not transform those jeans into something cuddly and useful?

The DIY Denim Log Cabin Pillows are ultra plush and cuddly because you’re combining soft, worn in jeans with Poly-Fil Low-Loft Quilt Batting and a Decorator’s Choice Luxury Pillow Form. The jeans pocket is great for keeping track of remote controls, crochet hooks, or other small belongings that have the tendency to get lost in the couch. You can find the complete tutorial here.

What you need to make this project

Materials: Poly-Fil Low-Loft Quilt Batting.; Decorator's Choice Luxury Pillow Form.; Two pairs of jeans destined for the scrap pile.; Cotton fabric for pillow back – ½ yard.; Cotton fabric for pillow interior backing – ½ yard or fat quarter.

Supplies: Fiskars 45 mm Easy Change Ergo Control Rotary Cutter, Fiskars 18″ x 24″ Self-Healing Rotary Cutting Mat, and Fiskars 6″ x 24″ Acrylic Ruler.; An iron and an ironing board or other heat-safe surface.; Sewing machine with cotton thread.; Basic sewing supplies (i.e., fabric scissors, seam ripper, pins, fabric pencil/marker, etc.). I used my Fiskars Amplify Mixed Media Shears since they cut through denim very easily.; Optional: Denim needle for your sewing machine.

Instructions

Step One

These DIY Denim Log Cabin Pocket Pillows are simple and easy to make and the tutorial will walk you through the process, step-by-step.

Be sure to start with sturdy cutting supplies. Denim can be difficult to cut up, so ergonomic tools can help a lot. (Actually, cutting up the denim will be the longest part of this project!)

Step Two

I used pieces of two pairs of jeans, which I designated as “light” and “dark,” and a pocket from a third pair of jeans. You can combine denim from more pairs of jeans for more interesting designs. The tutorial includes three variations on the log cabin quilting block. Choose your favorite, or make all three.

These pocket pillows are made using a combination of quilt-as-you-go techniques and strip piecing techniques for the front panel.

You start by creating a “quilt sandwich” of denim, Poly-Fil Low-Loft Quilt Batting, and fabric for the pillow interior backing. The pillow interior backing won’t be seen in the finished project, so you can use muslin, pieced scrap or orphaned quilt blocks, or “ugly” fabric.