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How to Make an Outdoor Pillow Insert Using Plastic Grocery Bags

May 24, 2012 · By Diane Henkler · 69 Comments

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How to Make a Weather Resistant Outdoor Pillow on a Budget

This is a super inexpensive way to dress up your deck or patio for outdoor living this summer.  If you are like me then you like to see a few pops of color placed around your outside living space in the way of a decorative pillow or two.  You see colorful outdoor pillows gracing chairs and chaises in every decorating magazine and catalog this time of year – they make the furniture come to life.   Not only do they provide a little bit of color, but comfort as well.  I think one or two strategically arranged pillows makes any outdoor space look more inviting.

The downside – they are a bit pricy for something that is truly an extra.

To still have my outdoor pillow decorating desire fulfilled on my small budget, I have devised a way to make outdoor pillow inserts for free.  All you need are two dishtowels and a bunch of plastic grocery bags.

How to make an outdoor pillow with plastic grocery bags

You could use a few indoor pillows or regular pillow forms for your outside décor and I do have a few of these, but I hesitate to use them outside because:

1. They fade.

2. I forget to bring them inside when it rains and by the end of the summer they are ruined, mildewed etc.  No more pretty pillow.

Why I Like Making Outdoor Pillows Using the Plastic Bags:

1. They are free!

2. I feel good that I am recycling the ever-growing pile of them that seems to multiply every second.  One trip to the grocery store and you get an average of 10 bags.  If I am getting only a few things, I take a bag into the store so I won’t get another plastic bag.  For my once a week grocery shopping trip I don’t have enough bags to hold everything so I usually end up getting plastic to haul it all home.

3.  You can make the pillow form any size you want – big, small, or even a roll style pillow.

Add more bags to make a denser pillow.  I found the dishtowels to make my pillow at the dollar store.

Outdoor Decorating Ideas

1.   Gather all your plastic bags. Find a bag that is about the size of your pillow cover or a bit larger to use as outer bag.  Try to use the same type of bag to stuff your outer bag. Some plastic bags are thicker than others and won’t form to the shape as easily. Use the thicker bags as the bag you stuff all the other thinner bags into.  Grocery store bags work the best. The kind you get at Walmart.   To get a smooth and uniform pillow shape – spread each stuffing bag out and then loosely roll it, then place in the bag.  Try to keep them lined up so the outer bag will stay as smooth as possible. If  you just bunch them into the bag, the pillow will look lumpy.

2.   Keep rolling your bags and lay into the outer bag. Press the bags down after every 10 bags or so.  I used about 60 bags to get the size and density I wanted. Use more if you want an extra-firm pillow.

3. When you get the size pillow form you desire, fold over the top of the outer bag and staple it closed.

4.  Add one more line of staples to ensure the seam is secure.

5.  Shape the plastic bag pillow form to the size of an existing indoor pillow form if you have one.

6.  Place it in the pillow cover.  Don’t be afraid to press, mold, and shape it to fit your cover like a glove.

All done.

outdoor pillow insert with grocery bags

My patio chairs are not very comfortable and having a pillow to mold to your back makes the chairs much more comfy…and colorful, too.

How to make a plastic bag outdoor pillow insert form

More Easy to Make Outdoor Pillow and Cushion Ideas:

Follow these links to learn other easy ways to cover pillows and cushions with new fabric.

No-Sew Dishtowel Pillow Cover

How To Make a No Sew Indoor/Outdoor Cushion Cover

Almost Made For You Pillow Covers

DIY Chair Cushions 

Plastic bag storage and organizing idea: If you are looking for a way to help control out-of-control plastic bags in your house you may like to see how I conquered mine. You can see it in the post I did about how I organized my pantry.

Pretty Outdoor pillow made using plastic grocery bags.

 

How-to-Recover-Your-Outdoor-Cushions-and-your-Indoor cushions, tooEasy Ways to Make Indoor and Outdoor Chair Cushion Covers
3 different sounding Wind Chimes Hanging On a PorchHow to Choose the Perfect Wind Chime For Your Outdoor Space
How to paint outdoor light fixturesHow to Paint Outdoor Light Fixtures With a Hammered Paint Finish
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Filed Under: Decorating Tips and Tricks, DIY Decorating Projects, No-Sew Decorating Projects, Outdoor & Exterior, Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose, Summer & Patriotic Decorating

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Comments

  1. Oliver John says

    02/18/2021 at 8:24 am

    Love this amazing guide of making pillow for outdoor activity. This is a quick way to make pillow you shared. I learned a lot

    Reply
  2. Smith says

    01/14/2021 at 12:56 pm

    This is awesome. Thank you so so much team

    Reply
  3. Josh Edwards says

    10/25/2020 at 6:26 am

    Thanks for your wonderful crafting ideas.

    Reply
  4. Jenni says

    08/26/2020 at 10:43 pm

    Love this amazing guide of making pillow for outdoor activity. This is a quick way to make pillow you shared. Thank you for this amazing post.

    Reply
  5. Kelly says

    07/11/2020 at 8:43 am

    Love this idea. Do you have problems with mold? Does the plastic get enough air to dry if left out in the rain?

    Reply
  6. Patricia says

    05/05/2020 at 11:34 am

    This is a terrific idea. I cannot throw anything usable away. Diane, I look forward to your posts & always open it first.
    I have pillows & white rocking chairs on the porch but pillows slide or blow off. I cut strips from a white pillowcase & sewed to each side (could staple or safety pin) then tied them onto the chair. The white ties are not obvious and the pillows are always in place.

    Reply
  7. Jamie says

    03/09/2020 at 7:32 am

    I have been doing this for a few years now. I used to pay $40 per cushion. Now i buy the big burlap coffee sacks foe $2 a piece and stuff with grocery bags. I dont bring in the cushions when it rains so the burlap bags usually need replacing every year but the plastic bags are reusable every year and they never mold or mildew!!!

    Reply
  8. cara mengatasi keputihan says

    10/03/2017 at 4:41 am

    Nice info. I wanto to try it..

    Reply
  9. Elena M. Cornide says

    08/25/2016 at 10:30 am

    Hi Diane! GREAT idea! Can you put a regular pillow insert surrounded by the plastic bags?

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      08/25/2016 at 10:53 am

      Hi Elaine – Yes of course. That would make for a very nice and waterproof pillow. Great idea. :-)

      Reply
  10. Julie says

    05/30/2016 at 5:53 am

    Awesome! Great idea and it looks simple, I’ll follow your tip. Thank you Diane for sharing!

    Reply
  11. Tally says

    03/21/2016 at 4:02 am

    That was seriously awesome!!!! Such a great idea..all my favorite things…easy and cheap! Thanks for sharing…:)

    Reply
  12. Amanda Berry says

    02/29/2016 at 3:35 am

    Great tips for me. I will follow it to make my own pillow. Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  13. Amanda Berry says

    02/29/2016 at 3:33 am

    Great tips for me. I will follow it to make my own pillow.Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  14. Carol says

    01/16/2016 at 2:38 am

    Really great ! I will follow this to make my own pillow for my kids, Love ur work…keep it up, all d best 

    Reply
  15. Laura says

    12/21/2015 at 9:11 pm

    Great idea! Now I know how to deal with a dump of plastic bags in my house. Thank you very much

    Reply
  16. b.jonh says

    08/03/2015 at 11:48 am

    Nice tip! I definitely follow it to make my own pillow.Thank you for sharing experience!

    Reply
  17. Suzanne says

    07/06/2015 at 10:23 am

    There is also a way to actually “fuse” plastic bags onto fabric making the fabric waterproof and perfect for outdoor use.

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      07/06/2015 at 1:09 pm

      Hi Suzanne – I will have to check into the process to use the bags. Thanks for taking the time to share about it.

      Reply
  18. Jo Clayton says

    06/08/2015 at 5:58 am

    What a brilliant idea. Thank you Diane for sharing.

    Reply
  19. chris says

    05/26/2014 at 8:49 am

    I can’t wait to try this. I am getting some outdoor stuff gave to me.

    Reply
  20. Bonnie says

    05/26/2014 at 8:28 am

    We made floor pillows stuffed with plastic bags as a summer project with my kids a few years ago. Just last week we made outdoor pillows using clearance sale cloth shower curtains. We’ve stuffed those with plastic bags and some ugly outdoor pillows we found at goodwill. We made 10 pillows in various sizes and shapes from one shower curtain

    Reply
  21. Amber says

    05/12/2014 at 11:59 am

    Thank you for all of your inspiring ideas Miss Diane. I used this brilliant post to make fillers for my own outdoor pillows, and I of course gave you credit, because you deserve it! Thanks for sharing!

    http://www.lovenestdesign.com/outdoor-throw-pillows-from-throwaway-materials/

    Reply
  22. Kelsey says

    12/16/2013 at 3:58 pm

    Hello! Love this idea, used plastic bags as stuffing for a baby toy for a shower a few years back.. But I’m not sure how it would be in the washing machine?
    I’m making another for my future nephew and am wondering if you have washed the pillows whole or if you just make new ones/spot clean when/if they become dirty :)
    Thanks!
    Kelsey

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      12/16/2013 at 4:22 pm

      I have never washed the plastic bag inserts with the pillow covers. I remove them first. If you are making a pillow cover – create one edge with a fold over flap so you don’t see the open top edge. A flap will hide it. you can use a pin to hold the flap down if needed. You can also use Velcro on one seam when making a pillow cover so that you can easily remove the pillow insert when the cover needs cleaning. If you don’t think the pillow is going to get super dirty or mildewed, then you can just spot clean.

      Reply
      • Kelsey says

        12/16/2013 at 4:25 pm

        Thank you so much! I’m making an octopus for him, I’ll leave my sister with little compartments to take the stuffing out if she wants to wash the toy :)

        Reply
  23. Jackie says

    08/16/2013 at 11:48 pm

    This is a great idea! I am definitely going to have to try this. Thanks!

    Reply
  24. outdoor bags says

    08/01/2013 at 3:55 am

    Thanks Melissa. XO

    Reply
  25. Deniseinark says

    07/20/2013 at 9:19 am

    One suggestion I can offer is to use the heaviest bag you can find for the outer one. I work at Pier 1 and our bags are crazy heavy-candles and dishes get heavy fast. This would be especially helpful if you want the firmest possible pillow. You might even stuff the bags into an old towel before putting them into the outside bag to lessen the noise.

    Reply
    • Diane Henkler says

      07/20/2013 at 10:46 am

      Thanks so much for taking the time to share your great ideas about using the heavier plastic bags and the towel. They both would help lessen the noise. Will have to shop at Pier One soon :)

      Reply
  26. TQ Fabulous says

    03/22/2013 at 5:29 pm

    Wonderful! I’ll have to hold back a few bag donations to local charity shop to get the pills made. Thank you!

    Reply
    • TQ Fabulous says

      07/06/2014 at 12:38 pm

      Update- thanks to your tutorial, I was able to make the plastic bag pillow insert. But I cheated and bought two shiny dollar store pillow covers. They have been on my bench for a year , all seasons, now a still look new! Thanks again!

      Reply
  27. June says

    03/14/2013 at 1:52 pm

    What a great idea! If you have sticky back velcro, that could be used instead of staples. (Or better yet, sew on velcro which won’t come off if you decide to wash the pillow case.)

    Reply
  28. Megan says

    08/06/2012 at 7:11 am

    Love this idea! Your pillow looks great. Megan

    Reply
  29. bridget b. says

    06/06/2012 at 12:55 pm

    I absolutely LOVE this idea. So sensible and a great money-saver.

    Reply
  30. MelissaJane says

    06/05/2012 at 3:05 pm

    Diane, I never stop by this blog without being impressed by how creative you are, and how practical, and how clever. You just have the BEST ideas.

    Reply
    • Diane says

      06/05/2012 at 10:04 pm

      Thanks Melissa. XO

      Reply
  31. Mrs. Handyverger says

    06/02/2012 at 12:47 pm

    What a great idea! I always hesitated to use pillows outside because of my fear that they’d get moldly and mildewy.

    Stopping by from the Outdoor Extravaganza. :)

    Reply
  32. Chara @ Stitching Hearts Together says

    06/01/2012 at 7:03 pm

    The link to the no-sew dishtowel cover seems to just bring me back here… :)

    Reply
  33. Jill Flory says

    05/31/2012 at 8:36 am

    I’m impressed! That is a really clever idea! Filing that one away now!

    Reply
  34. Holly Lefevre says

    05/31/2012 at 2:16 am

    What a great idea! I always forget to bring my pillows in…so I really need this!

    Reply
  35. [email protected] Satori Design for Living says

    05/30/2012 at 8:50 am

    Great idea! You should share this over at Amanda’s outdoor decorating party as part of the Outdoor Extravaganza we’re hosting!
    http://satoridesignforliving.com/2012/04/Join-Our-Upcoming-Outdoor-Link-Parties/

    Reply
    • Diane says

      05/30/2012 at 9:22 am

      Thanks Shauna – I will check out the outdoor link parties. I am doing another outdoor project in my next post that I will link up also.

      Reply
  36. mahoo says

    05/30/2012 at 1:05 am

    How cool! I’ll be trying this out for my deck chairs for sure. Thanks.

    Reply
  37. Paula says

    05/29/2012 at 11:43 pm

    I tried this and it turned out great. However, the pillows are extremely noisy. My family hates them because of the annoying plastic bag sound. Is the noise just what you get for using plastic bags or did I do something wrong?

    Reply
    • Diane says

      05/30/2012 at 9:20 am

      Hi Paula – The pillows do make a scrunching sound, but the denser you make the pillow the less scrunching you will hear. I would add more bags and keep pressing them down into the outer bag to get a denser pillow to lessen the scrunching sound.

      Reply
  38. gail says

    05/29/2012 at 1:00 pm

    Diane–your pillow is so cute! I can’t believe you got those towels at the dollar store, I never find anything good there.
    I use my bags for “scoopin’ the poop” I’m always having to get donations from friends, cause I shop so little. 60 bags would take forever for me to collect. ;)

    great pillow!
    gail

    Reply
  39. Cussot says

    05/28/2012 at 12:19 pm

    So you don’t have to pay for grocery store bags in the US? We do in Canada and I retrained myself to use cloth bags so well that I occasionally have to buy a plastic bag or two for my kitchen waste. And between composting and recycling programs, even that has shrunk away to almost nothing.

    Nevertheless, this is certainly a good way to put excess bags to use.

    Reply
  40. [email protected] in Pink Hi-Tops says

    05/28/2012 at 11:04 am

    Genius idea!

    Reply
  41. Coastal Femme says

    05/27/2012 at 5:09 pm

    Diane

    You’re so clever….wonderful idea. I must try this.

    Reply
  42. bj says

    05/27/2012 at 12:32 pm

    I love this idea. Will come back later to see how you made the cover.
    Thanks so much.

    Reply
  43. Sherry says

    05/27/2012 at 11:02 am

    What an ingenious idea! We accumulate so many grocery bags when we go food shopping and this is a great way to recycle them!

    Reply
  44. Susie @Bowdabra says

    05/26/2012 at 6:21 pm

    Oh my! This is fabulous! You take great pictures of your work, too! Very fun!

    We would LOVE for you to stop over and link up this awesome idea in our Crafty Saturday Showcase. The Showcase runs Saturday through Thursday. Then our Designers will pick their top linked up picks and feature them on Friday! Stop over and join in the fun! We have a linky for crafty bloggers and ETSY/Business Bloggers, too!

    Have a super weekend,

    Susie
    http://bowdabrablog.com/2012/05/26/saturday-showcase-craft-projects-3/

    Reply
  45. Gina says

    05/26/2012 at 6:17 am

    I love this idea! I make pillows out of cloth napkins a lot but usually use an insert or fiberfil and they do get nasty if they get left outside. Plastic grocery bags do seem multiply and I am always taking a bag ‘o bags to the recycle bin. Cannot wait to make some pillows for my deck!

    Reply
  46. Kelly @ Eclectically Vintage says

    05/25/2012 at 9:44 pm

    Genius! You had me at no sew – and extra points for using a stapler!

    Pinning this!!
    Kelly

    Reply
  47. barbara says

    05/25/2012 at 8:41 pm

    How FUNNY!! I also stuffed some outdoor pillows for my front porch chair with plastic grocery bags!!! One pillow was made from a 25 cent drawstring purse I got at a garage sale as I liked the fabric ( just tied the handles like a tassel in the front) and the other was an XL sweater sleeve that I stitched closed with contrasting yarn and then tied knots all over it to form a pattern. I did them both in about 20 min when I was going thru a pile of random stuff in “USE it or LOSE it mode!” love your dishtowels!!

    Reply
  48. amy says

    05/25/2012 at 11:06 am

    I am in love! I have just been struggling with spending money on outdoor pillows. I know one or two on the bench on my porch would add a lot of color and comfort, but for all the reasons you mentioned I didn’t feel like it was justified. This is it; I am so excited to go dish towel hunting now! Thanks Diane!

    Reply
  49. nicole says

    05/25/2012 at 10:14 am

    That was seriously awesome!!!! Such a great idea..all my favorite things…easy and cheap! Thanks for sharing…:)

    Reply
  50. Kim says

    05/25/2012 at 7:01 am

    What a great idea. The pillow looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing how you did it. I am looking forward to the next post.

    Reply
  51. Johanna says

    05/25/2012 at 3:00 am

    What a clever Idea! Now I have to go and search all my plastic bags to try this out!

    Reply
  52. [email protected] Nikiforoff Designs says

    05/25/2012 at 12:55 am

    I REALLY like this idea! What a way to get a fabulous outdoor pillow! But with two dogs, a lot of our extra bags get used for “yard cleanup” :-) I do want to try this though. Necessity is the mother of invention! You are great!

    Reply
    • Margie says

      07/14/2014 at 4:24 pm

      Get friends to save some for you. Gives them a way to recycle theirs through you.

      Reply
  53. Sheryll & Critters. says

    05/24/2012 at 11:19 pm

    Pure genius is what you are! I have to reiterate Jessica S.

    Just wow!

    Reply
  54. Mary Cardini-Anderson says

    05/24/2012 at 11:14 pm

    Your pillow came out beautiful. I love thatyou recycled the store bags and that your pillow is so colorful and and cheerful looking.

    Mary

    Reply
  55. Laura @Ms Smartie Pants says

    05/24/2012 at 10:57 pm

    Before I read a word I said to myself, she always finds the prettiest fabric!!! Dollar store towels, seriously???? What a smart idea with the bags, my pillow last year got eaten by a critter!

    Reply
  56. Amanda @ House Revivals says

    05/24/2012 at 5:21 pm

    Love this! Your post brought back memories of my grandmother, who used to do something similar using dry cleaning bags. Thanks for the tutorial :)

    Reply
  57. Jessica S. says

    05/24/2012 at 5:01 pm

    Your ingenuity never ceases to amaze me! Love this idea, and especially looking forward to the no-sew cover post! Thanks, Diane!

    Reply
    • Karen bonney says

      02/03/2015 at 9:07 pm

      Hello

      If you cut the bags up like paper shredding it should take less bags to make a cushion filler and maybe smoother too !

      Reply
      • Diane Henkler says

        02/03/2015 at 10:42 pm

        Hi Karen – What an excellent idea! Genius. I will try it, I bet the bags would shred just fine in a paper shredder. Thanks for taking the time to share your idea with me. :-)

        Reply
Diane Henkler Blogger In My Own Style
I love all things creative, colorful, and DIY. It is just the way my brain is wired. I can't add 2+2 to save my life, but I can help you decorate your home in a style that you will love...YOURS! LEARN MORE
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