You loved the koosh ball shoes so much that it sparked a full-on return to a childhood favorite: Koosh balls. After wearing those shoes endlessly, we got nostalgic and decided to bring that playful energy into the home—enter koosh ball pillows. These cushions combine the tactile charm of the classic toy with a grown-up, iridescent fabric finish so you can enjoy a subtle bit of holographic whimsy without losing your sense of style.
Supplies
- Iridescent fabric (we found ours at a local fabric store)
- Pillow stuffing or a pillow form
- Koosh balls (four per pillow)
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Sturdy needle (an embroidery needle works well) and thread
How to make koosh ball pillows
- Cut two squares of fabric. Make each square one inch larger than the final pillow size you want so you can account for seams.
- Place the two squares together with right sides facing in. Sew around the perimeter with a 1/2″ seam allowance, leaving a 5–6″ opening on one side for turning and stuffing.
- Turn the cover right-side out and stuff with fiberfill or insert a pillow form. Close the opening by hand using a slip stitch; if hand sewing isn’t your thing, fabric glue is an alternative.
- Thread a needle and knot the end. Push the needle through the very center of a koosh ball and pull the knot snug against the toy so it won’t slip through.
- Bring the threaded koosh ball to a pillow corner. Make a small stitch through the corner, then pass the needle back through the koosh ball center and pull tight so the ball nests at the point.
- Secure with a repeat stitch for extra hold, tie a knot, and trim the excess thread. Repeat at each corner so four koosh balls decorate each pillow.
These pillows are an easy, inexpensive way to add personality and texture to a room. The iridescent fabric keeps the look modern and slightly refined, while the koosh balls give it playful, tactile detail. If Koosh balls were more affordable, you could imagine making a whole rug out of them—what a statement piece that would be.
Ideas for variations: use different fabric textures to change the tone (velvet, linen, or canvas), mix koosh ball colors to complement a room palette, or add fewer balls for a subtler look. These pillows also make fun gifts for anyone who remembers the original toy.
Photos by Jeff Mindell
Have fun with this project—koosh balls deserve a comeback in all the things.