Upcycle DIY Projects to Recycle T-Shirts.
If you’ve jumped on the KonMari bandwagon with the rest of the nation, you’ve probably got bags of clothing ready to be delivered to your local thrift or consignment shop. Before you get rid of everything, you may want to upcycle or refashion some of your old t-shirts. After all, frugal living is about finding another use for products you already have! And these 14 Genius Ways to Upcycle T-Shirts can help you do just that.
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There are so many great ways to refashion and upcycle t-shirts. We bet you’ll find more than one great idea below!
Not the DIY type? Check out these 7 things to do with clothing you no longer want!
14 Genius Ways to Upcycle T-Shirts
1. Farmhouse Tin Can Vase
Farmhouse decor is all the rage, and this tin can vase from Salvage Sister & Mister fits the bill perfectly. As a bonus, you can upcycle not one, but two items from around the house.
2. No-Sew Knotted T-Shirt Headband T-Shirt Upcycle
What girly-girl doesn’t love a cute headband? And no-sew to boot! Repurpose all your well-loved T-shirts into a cute upcycled T-shirt headband with this simple-to-follow tutorial from Julie Measures.
3. Quilt T-Shirt Upcycle
Gather up all your favorite T-shirts from your past vacations, concerts, and sporting events for this DIY! Upcycle t-shirts into an incredible memory quilt like this one from The Country Chic Cottage and preserve these memories!
4. Make Furoshiki DIY Gift Wrap
Furoshiki are Japanese wrapping cloths often used to transport gifts. Add a little craft paint and repurpose a few t-shirts into this super cute DIY gift wrap like this one from Swoodson Says. These would be perfect for any holiday or gift-giving event.
5. Finger Crochet a Rag Rug from a T-Shirt
T-shirts make super soft rag yarn! Sustain My Craft Habit show how with just a pair of scissors and your fingers you can make a super cute t-shirt rag rug in no time!
6. T-shirt Dress with Cricut Iron-On
Adult-sized t-shirts can easily be refashioned into something cute for the kids like this adorable t-shirt dress DIY from Artsy Fartsy Mama. Make it extra special with some fun iron-ons created with your Cricut machine.
7. Make a T-Shirt Bracelet
Moms, this is the perfect way to upcycle t-shirts to make a fun project for your kids! Upcycle t-shirts into bracelets to add some enrichment to your homeschool curriculum or as a fun weekend activity. Head on over to Family Food and Travel for a great tutorial!
8. Throw Pillows from Old Shirts
Those old t-shirts were well loved, and all that wearing and washing have made them soft and cuddly. Uncommon Designs shows how to craft some DIY throw pillows out of your old favorites to give them new life.
9. Create Art With Old T-Shirts
What kid doesn’t beg to hang a few posters on their bedroom wall? Turn it up a notch and upcycle their favorite t-shirts into fun DIY canvas wall art, like this Star Wars art by Reuse Grow Enjoy!
10. Turn Your T-Shirts into Stuffed Animals
Character t-shirts are a wardrobe staple for kids. When the shirt no longer fits or has more than its fair share of stains, Swoodson Says shows how to refashion it into a fun DIY stuffed animal your little one can love on.
11. Make a Unicorn Sleep Mask
Unicorns are magical and so is a good night’s sleep. Follow Creative Green Living’s tutorial and block out unwanted light by repurposing a t-shirt into a soft and super cute DIY unicorn sleep mask. When you wake up everything will be cotton candy and rainbows.
12. Gathered Back T-Shirt Refashion
Sometime your old t-shirt may just need an upgrade. This gathered back shirt restyle DIY from Mabey She Made It is super cute and flirty.
13. Tie-Dye T-shirt Bracelet
White shirts lose their luster quickly. It’s not long until they turn dingy yellow and dishwater grey. Upcycle t-shirts that have turned dingy into bright and beautiful friendship bracelets with this tie-dye DIY bracelet tutorial from California Unpublished.
14. T-Shirt Bag for Kids
Kids love to sew, and it’s a great skill to have. This DIY t-shirt bag from Gluesticks Blog is a simple beginners project that upcycles a t-shirt into something any kid would be proud of.
Sure we all need to declutter and purge our stuff, but I think even Marie Kondo would agree that if it brings us joy, it’s worth upcycling that t-shirt and giving it new life.
Have you done a great clothing upcycle before? Tell us about it in the comments.
You might also be interested in: 15 Ways to Repurpose or Restyle T-Shirts
Stephanie says
Thanks for including my project!