When COVID hit, you might be so bored in the house. Chances are you’ve accrued quite a few pillowcases that you no longer use. And if you don’t have any spares, you can easily pick up some old ones at yard sales or thrift stores. Why would you want to? Why not create some fabulous pillow case crafts instead?
Well, there are just so many ways to repurpose pillowcases! From cute dresses to making cleaning the ceiling fan so much easier, you definitely need to check out these frugal tips. Enjoy the hacks that you can do in a very simple way to give your pillowcases a fresh start and a new life. You know how much we love to repurpose and reuse!
You probably have heard how successful the Sheboygan Central High School Project was in Sheboygan Falls. It was even featured in New York Times! That project inspired so many elementary schools in different states to create projects for donation in Haiti, Africa, and many places around the globe. The Haitian government was so grateful for the answered Haiti call after the calamity struck Southwestern Haiti. Actually, many people from Nashville, Tennessee, Ohio, and Sheboygan Area School District employees and many more states responded to the call. Old pillowcases made a big difference when Haiti’s children office received the first shipment of pillowcase dresses as a relief response to the country’s need. Now, we may not be facing the tropical depression Grace or any cases of displacement, but you can still create something beautiful our of those pillowcases instead of letting them collect some cobwebs in the shelf.
So get your embroidery machine and knitting and quilting talents out as we present to you crafts that will give an extra meaning to your favorite linen napkins. You can easily do these projects even after COVID-19 pandemic. {winks}
How to Make Pillow Case Crafts
1. Repurpose Some Pillowcases To Contain The Dust On Cleaning Days
Don’t you just HATE it when cleaning ceiling fans the dust gets everywhere?
Here’s an easy hack: Repurpose some pillowcases and use them to clean your ceiling fan blades instead. Simply place the pillowcase over the blade and slide it back and forth to remove and collect the dust all in one go.
2. Want Breathable Garment Bags?
Notice how you always get extra pillowcases each time you buy a new pair of sheets. Now here’s a vacation/ travel hack: Why not put the extras to good use and repurpose the extra pillowcases and turn them into a garment bag? Your clothes no longer have to be covered in plastic, as plastic doesn’t allow clothes to breathe, or allow the cleaning chemicals to evaporate. Now you have clean clothes!
And for the environmentally conscious, you’ll be happier knowing that you’re doing your part to reduce the world’s plastic bag usage.
It’s so simple to make a garment bag out of a pillowcase – simply cut a slit in the middle of the closed end of the pillowcase, and slip a hanger through it. Voila! A garment bag that won’t cut the cheese! (You can even turn it into a drawstring laundry bag for the dirty laundry!)
3. Easily Repurpose Old Pillowcases Into One-Of-A-Kind Tote Bags
You might have seen it on Facebook, so you know that yard sales or thrift stores are the best places to hit if you’re looking for unique pillowcases, especially vintage ones. And the best part is how cheap they are. I’ve gone thrifting and often find pillowcases at old yard sales for a quarter or so.
The next time you visit a yard sale, why don’t you pick up a few next time you spot one and turn it into a tote bag? This would be terrific new step for the farmer’s market or for a day at the beach. You can even make some purses out of the extra fabric stash!
As a similar project, if you have the adequate supplies, you can also turn it into a reusable grocery bag. It’s a really good incentive!
Tip: To give your pillowcase tote bag stability, line and interface it.
4. With Old Pillowcases On Hand, You”ll Never Ruin Your Child’s Favorite Stuffed Toy Again
Just like with their favorite blankie, there’s always that favorite stuffed toy that your kiddo can’t sleep or be without. But have you ever ruined your child’s favorite stuffed toy, and because you hadn’t planned on doing so, you weren’t prepared with a backup toy to calm them down? That has to never happen again. The toy is safe in the washing machine!
This surplus of fabric is a good choice to save the day. You can repurpose old pillows or just keep one on hand, solely to wash your child’s favorite toys. Just put the stuffed toy in the pillowcase, secure the top, and launder on a gentle cycle. You can keep it inside the pillowcase while it’s in the dryer, too, and dry it in low. The pillowcase helps contain any loose fluff or parts that may come off during the wash.
5. Repurpose Some Pillowcases To Help With Your Organization
Good wishes can be fulfilled in an inexpensive way, with the basic things! Checkout this storage project you’re gonna love to share in your next youth leadership meeting! Make a no-sew pillowcase hamper to stay on top of your laundry. This would be perfect for a college student. You could also use it as a toy bag for your kids’ stuffed toys. As for me, I’ve had one of these made for everyone and practically every room in my household because when it comes to organization, I’m EXTRA like that!
To repurpose your pillowcase and make this no-sew hamper, you’ll only need 2 items: a large pillowcase (King Size should do), and an embroidery hoop (12″ -14″ should work perfectly).
To make:
- Open up the embroidery hoop and then slip your pillowcase through the inner hoop.
- Even out the pillowcase around the hoop and place the other hoop on top of the hoop where you’ve got your pillowcase.
- Secure the outer hoop and tight a piece of heavy-duty string around the screw top of the outer hoop.
- Your no-sew pillowcase hamper is ready to hang and for use.
Clever Ways To Repurpose Pillowcases
6. Repurposing Pillowcases Makes For Organized Linen Closets
How messy is your linen closet? If you’re operating a large household like I am, you’ll agree that’s one of the areas that give every mom a headache. Especially when it comes to looking for a clean set of bed linens and thanks to the pillowcases that are part of the bed linen sets, you can now have organized linen closets.
The youngsters can now be proud to share this stuffing organization with their friends as a unique “pillowcase dress project”. Keep matching sheets and pillowcases together by folding them and storing them in a pillowcase. This idea is BRILLIANT and has totally changed how we organize the linen closet. This polyester hack helps me feel a sense of dignity and better self-worth when it comes to organizing my linens. It’s really the little things that make my heart flutter!
And did I mention how it makes it so easy for me when I want to change my bedsheets? I simply pull out the pillowcase I need and leave all else still intact and neatly organized.
7. When You Want Cute Dresses For You & Your Little Girl…
Got some donated pillowcase? This can be a great project to introduce to teenage mothers if you have a mission trip anytime soon! Repurpose pillowcases to create cute seasonal dresses for your little girl! You can make some cute little ballerinas out of these fabrics.
Pillowcase dresses are super cute and affordable. But don’t fret… if you really want one for yourself, you can find patterns for adult pillowcase dresses, too! Or skirts, dress shirts, or off-shoulder tops for that matter…especially if you’re too tall for the pillowcase dresses, lol. Too cute for hugs in this lovely little dresses!
8. Go From Having Rejected Pillowcases To An In-Demand Cozy Pillow Bed
Kids have a way of changing their tastes and preferences on a whim. And sadly their beddings are not spared either from these sudden changes. Got a bunch of rejected pillowcases? Worry not because you can repurpose the pillowcases your child is tired of to create a fun pillow bed/chair. Don’t be surprised when those repurposed pillowcases turn into their new favorite item in your household for shelter: pillow bed or floor cushion! You won’t mind if a candy or jam drops or it’s marked with markers. The patch is easy to clean!
This is because it makes a wonderful addition to a reading nook and isn’t a bad place to take a quick nap, either. Oh, and it will come in super handy during their sleepovers. Psst…you didn’t get this from me, but the girls have a tendency to fight over who sleeps on the pillowcase bed. Your niece or even grandma can help creating this. And it’s both good to use in a hot weather or during heavy rains day. It’s that good! You don’t need a lot of spare time to make this one!
And it does make for a luxurious and comfortable bed whenever we go camping, with the good thing about it being that the pillows fit in snuggly – we’ve never had to use Velcro or anything to keep them in. (Some good pet beds can be made out of pillowcases too!)
9. Quickly Make Chair Covers By Repurposing Pillowcases
Not a crafter or want to skip the complex dress-making process? Here’s for you! When you need to quickly change the look of your dining area, dress up plain chairs with pillowcases. That’s a first real total buy-in!
This adds a touch of class to your next dinner party or holiday get-together. Simply slide a pillowcase over the back of the chair, and tie it with a ribbon. You can add embellishments or keep it simple. And I bet you no one will realize that your chair covers are repurposed pillowcases, especially if they come in a unique print. Get those pillowcases out of the shelf. New pillows? No! New chairs!
10. Cleverly Repurpose Pillowcases Into Pretty Half-Aprons
Got extra pillowcases from your last thrifting stash? Even if you don’t, go out and get some because this is a pillowcase repurposing project you wouldn’t want to miss out on. Make a utilitarian pillowcase apron out of the vintage pillowcases you found at yard sales. Aren’t these SO pretty? It’s not injuring anything!
And if you don’t use aprons as much in the kitchen, something like this would at least be handy while cleaning or working in the yard. Or for those days you help out in the soup kitchens.
11. Upcycle And Repurpose Old Pillowcases Into Canvas Boxes
Skip the sweaters or tie-dyeing or dressmaking for now. I insert a crafting project that turns an old cardboard box into a canvas box or bins by repurposing some old pillowcases. There’s some measuring and sewing involved here though we promise it will be totally worthwhile.
Plain white linens make for a crisp look, while you can use whimsical patterns for kids’ rooms or add splashes of color to your organizing tools.
12. Treat Your Windows With Some Nifty No-Sew Pillowcase Valances
Still not feeling like sewing anything yet? (Or maybe just don’t want to make those arm holes of the dress project.) Here’s another no-sew project for those of us who are not crafty-inclined: no-sew pillowcase valances! Hope you’ll agree with us that spending $2 on this DIY version definitely sounds better than the price of most window treatments these days.
You don’t need a lab program coordinator or instructional coach to give your old pillowcases some new true meaning! To make your unique pillowcase valances, start by cutting open the pillowcase lengthwise and also cut open the side to end up with one open piece of fabric. Next, put the two ends of the fabric back together and then cut about 1 1/2″ apart and about 5″ down to make the tabs and line them up.
If you enjoyed this post on how to repurpose pillowcases, you may also want to read on how to repurpose more items around the home:
- 17 Ways to Repurpose a Cookie Sheet
- 15 Genius Ways to Repurpose Changing Tables
- 16 Brilliant Ways to Repurpose an Old Spice Rack
- Recycle and Repurpose TP Tubes
- 14 Cool Things to Do with Oatmeal Canisters
Which repurposed pillowcases project are you going to create? You can also make them as a lot of donations for people who got hit by natural disasters. It’s a noble response and a crisis relief!
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