Pillowcases can follow up around our whole lives. We take them from house to house, accumulating more and more as the years go by, but the amount of people in our house reduces.

Let’s face it: we don’t all need 50 pillowcases, and we’re sure you’ve got a few in your linen cupboard that you don’t want to part with, but you’re not exactly using.

Dust off your pillowcases – here’s 10 awesome new ways to recycle them!

1. Revamp an umbrella

A photo posted by @vanessa_m_a on Oct 6, 2015 at 3:41pm PDT

This crafty lady has attached the fabric of her pillowcase to the inside of this rusty umbrella. Doesn’t it look great?

2. Make a smock dress

A photo posted by marce (@fisoandlottie) on Feb 4, 2016 at 7:49pm PST

If you have a little granddaughter, this smock dress from one of your pretty patterned pillowcases is the perfect craft project.

3. Reupholster a chair

A photo posted by Katelyn Elizabeth (@littlecreek_farm) on Mar 22, 2016 at 6:57am PDT

Chairs look a little tired? If you have a set of pillowcases, you could staple gun the fabric to the seat cushion.

4. Homemade heat pack

A photo posted by VictoriaCapn Barcello (@lilladylavender) on Feb 29, 2016 at 10:23am PST

Heat packs aren’t always cheap but with an old pillowcase and rice, you can create one. Simply cut your pillowcase in half. Then use the side with the bottom seam and fill with a couple of cups of rice. Sew a line all the way across to create a sealed tube, then repeat with another couple of cups of rice. Repeat until the entire thing is full and seam the end to create a finished rice pack with several tubes full of rice. You can add lavender scent to it as well if you like!

5. DIY earring holder

A photo posted by anna vanstan (@diy_everything_and_more) on Nov 8, 2015 at 5:30pm PST

If you have some pretty lace pillowcases, why not make this lovely earring holder for your granddaughter? It hangs up too.

6. Car playmat

An old pillow case turned into a toy car play mat! When they are finished playing the cars can be stored inside of the pillow case. I am no artist, but we use washable markers so that we can change the scenes around as they grow bored with it. #diy #matchboxcars #playmat #oldpillowcaseproject #oldpillowcase #resourceful #creative #momofboys #frugal #homeschool

A photo posted by @livermushandlipstick on Aug 7, 2015 at 6:41am PDT

Anyone with a grandson will know how much they love cars. This little mat is very easy to pack up as well!

7. Another jewellery holder

A photo posted by @wander_lust_junkie on Jan 12, 2014 at 2:41pm PST

This time with a frame and some thin lace! The possibilities are endless.

8. Fabric wreath

Fabric Spring Wreath I made last year using old sheets and pillow cases and scrap fabric I’ve collected over the years…Love how it came out and so happy it’s still hanging around lol ?? #crystaldomi #tbt #reuse #recycle #upcycle #oldbedding #oldsheets #oldpillowcases #diy #ilovecrafts #fabric #diyproject #ilovefabric #spring #prettycolors #wreath #diywreath #springdecor #ecochiccrafter

A photo posted by Crystal Dominguez (@ecochiccrafter) on Apr 2, 2015 at 2:17pm PDT

Doesn’t this look great? It’s made with pillowcases and other fabrics.

9. New cushion covers

A photo posted by Palmira Villar (@palmiravillar) on Apr 25, 2016 at 11:51am PDT

If you really love the pattern of several of your pillowcases, why not combine them together? You can make a cushion cover that looks great and is all different colours.

10. Wrap presents

A photo posted by The Little Homeplace (@thelittlehomeplace) on Apr 25, 2016 at 10:20am PDT

Who said wrapping a present had to be done with paper? This is a lovely way to wrap up a special gift.

Share your other pillowcase ideas below.