T-shirt Throw Pillow

I made this pillow for my son Truman for 2 reasons: 1) to preserve his two favorite shirts in a way he would like, and 2) because I was sick of him wearing only these two shirts.  You decide which reason influenced me more to break out the sewing machine.

Truman is almost 11, and this pillow is going to be one of his birthday presents.  The thing is, I know the main reason he wore these two shirts all the time was more because they were always in the top of his shirt drawer than anything else.  I don't think he has even noticed that the shirts are gone, because now he is wearing whatever 2-3 shirts are currently in the top of his drawer.  I need to go in his room and rotate his clothes if I want to see him dress with any variety.  But I digress . . .

Start with two shirts (clean & pre-shrunk)

Use a template to cut out equal-sized squares
(I used a 12-inch square of corkboard I had lying around)

Cut four rectangles the same length as the side of your squares,
you determine the width
{PS- the fabric I used came from a $2 red tablecloth
I bought at the D.I. specifically for this project---sweet.}

Sew right sides together on the tops and bottoms of your t-shirts

Cut four new lengths to match the long side of your sewn shirts

Sew right sides together along both sides of each piece, then sew
right sides together of both finished squares, leaving a hole for stuffing.

Stuff that pillow like a Thanksgiving turkey!
{I used stuffing from an old body pillow,
fluffing each piece before adding it to my new pillow}

Sew up the hole and present it to your intended recipient with love.

I like this project because it is super simple--much easier than making a t-shirt quilt, but still meaningful to your little basketball camper :).  Right now, Truman is sporting his 2012 basketball camp shirt about 50% of the time, so maybe in 2013 he'll get another pillow after attending Cardinal b-ball camp again.