It's Craft Time - Bath Mat Pillow

So I had this white shaggy bath mat that I purchased for our bathroom. I don't know what I was thinking, but it was way too small. As I was folding it to put it in the bag to return it, I noticed how cute it looked, almost the size of a pillow. Ding, Ding, Ding, Ding.... Why not make it into a pillow? I loved the fluffy texture (I have this thing about texture). And I have been wanting some "summer" looking pillows. A match made in heaven.

But what to use as a pillow form? I didn't have any spare ones laying around, especially a rectangle. And then I remembered this guy, shoved into the back of the linen closet. My taste had changed and it no longer worked for me. I unzipped the cover and wrapped the bath mat around it to see if it would fit. It was a little snug, but I thought I could make it work.

This project had to be easy. I wasn't going to cut the mat to fit a special pillow form. If needed, I would have purchased some of that craft filling stuff and used that.

It was easy enough to whip stitch the ends right sides together. Then I turned it right side out and shoved the pillow form in. Oh oh, the length was OK, but the width was tight, very tight. I had to pull the edges of the pillow closed and shove the form in as I stitched. My hands cramped up and I had to stop every few inches and rest them.

My super bright son was watching me struggle and suggested I use a binder clip to hold the pillow edges together while sewed. It worked like a charm and made the rest of the end go so much easier. A binder clip - who would have thunk it?

I was crafting at night again and had to use a flash so the pictures aren't stellar. My project cost $6.99 for the bath mat and I had the pillow form already. I know, kind of expensive for my craft projects, isn't it? I'm usually well under $3. I think it was worth the splurge.

I like my pillow. It's very plump and shaggy and very summery looking. It makes me wonder what else I can make out of a bath mat? Wouldn't a stuffed bunny rabbit look cute or a cat or lamb? I think some catnip mice for my cat Starbuck would be much appreciated. I couldn't keep her away from the pillow as I stitched.

Have you used a bath mat for something other than as a mat? What else do you think can be done with one?

Linking up to these fabulous parties.