Home improvements: A case for old sweatshirts

A lot of old, unused clothes come with memories, making them difficult to part with. Luckily, there’s something you can do with these much-loved mementos.

Many of us have old and worn sweatshirts that have been banished to the back of our wardrobes. While donating these unwanted garments to charity might seem an ­obvious choice, a lot of these pieces come with memories, making them difficult to part with. Luckily, there’s something you can do with these much-loved mementos: make sweatshirt pillow covers.

You’ll need a sweatshirt, scissors, needle, thread and a measuring tape. First, draw out the dimensions of your pillow on the sweatshirt, plus one inch. Cut matching front and back pieces along these measurements and discard the remaining scraps. Place one piece of fabric on top of the other, with the inside facing out on both sides. Sew up three of the sides, making sure the stitching is tight and straight. Once finished, pull the cover over the pillow – the outside of the cover should now be showing.

Finally, stitch the last side of the cover closed with the pillow inside. Those who would like to alternate pillow covers on a regular basis – and are more experienced with a ­needle and thread – consider attaching a zip to the fourth side for easier access.