Uses for Old T-Shirts

Old t-shirts have a lot of second life uses. Whether you are a crafter or are looking for other ways to reuse them, the possibilities are numerous. This is a guide about uses for old t-shirts.

Videos

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How to Convert A T-shirt in a Beautiful Dress

This video features Gianny showing you how to make a dress from an old t-shirt. Be sure to check out the related videos for more creatives uses of old clothing.

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Making a Halter Top From a T-shirt

This video shows a simple innovative idea to re-purpose a t-shirts into a cute halter top.

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Solutions: Uses for Old T-Shirts

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T-Shirt to Storage Bag

Back in the 60's, I saved all my pantyhose for crafts or wearing with pants. I decided I needed some way to keep them and ended up making an old shirt into a storage bag.

I sewed the bottom of the shirt, cut off the sleeves and sewed up the armholes and hung it on a nice hanger. It went on the inside of my closet door and all of the hose that came out of the laundry were tucked into the neck hole.

Over the years I have used this idea several ways:

Football jersey to hang in my son's bathroom for his dirty clothes.
Child's shirt with added lace on the bottom seam to make a fancy bag for my bathroom that held my curlers. The pocket held my bobby pins and pics for the rollers.
A pretty one for the kitchen for a bag holder.

And lots more, anything that needs keeping needs a handy place to go. The shirt bags take about 20 minutes to make (even hand sewing them) and can be hung anywhere.

Source: Just something I came up with in the 60's.

By villagecraftsmith from East TN

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Turn a T-shirt Into a Nightgown

I wanted a new nightgown, and figured there must be something in my wardrobe that I could fashion into one rather than buying one. A touristy tee shirt that someone had given me was just the thing. Nice and soft, but too short. I like long nightgowns for the cold temps here in NY.

And the cheesy, glittery seashell motif had to go. I found some soft fabric in my stash to add the length I wanted. And another matching piece to cover up the seashells--had to line this bit with a piece of muslin to keep the pesky seashells from showing through. T-shirt with shells on it. fabric for nightgown muslin backing to cover logo

I'm happy with how my new nightie turned out and saved some money too. I had to scrunch the fabric up in the photos in order to get it all in the pictures. T-shirt Nightgown

By Gloria from Western NY

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Sleep Shirts Made From Old Shirts

My husband has several "banded collar" shirts that he no longer wears. They are still in good shape and I loved the style. However, they are way too big for me to wear w/jeans or anything else. I decided to take the white one and cut the sleeves off to about my wrist and then turn the edges under and make a cute sleep shirt for myself.

When I finished I just washed it and put some fabric softner on it and now I have a cute and comfy sleep shirt to wear. I think I will check his other old shirts like his flannel ones and do the same with the sleeves and possibly cut off the collars on those as well, they will make really good ones for me! Plus, I will save the scaps from the shirts to use for other projects!

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Make A Pillow Out Of A Beloved Shirt

Because I have six kids, we tend to pass down a lot of clothes to the next sibling. My oldest son had a special shirt he simply did NOT want to let go of. Rather than pass it down to his brother, I agreed to let him keep it. But he simply could not keep it as a shirt because he continued to wear it, despite his belly hanging out. So I stitched up the arm holes and neck hole and filled the "torso" of the shirt with fiberfill. Then I stitched up the bottom of the shirt, creating a super cute, super cozy pillow!

My next younger son loved the idea so much, he too had me stitch up his favorite shirt he was quickly outgrowing. It has now been about 6 years and the two boys still cherish their "shirt pillows". The best part for them is to see old pictures that they were wearing their shirts in and now they can remember those fun times every time they hug their pillows.

By imama2many from UT

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Make a Doll from Child's Favorite Shirt

My nephew had a Sponge Bob shirt that was too small, but he still wanted to wear it. So I made a doll with it. I designed everything on paper first then proceeded to cut everything out. You can use an existing pattern for dolls, but I chose to design it myself. I made a head, attached yarn for the hair, and then I used permanent marker for the face. I made arms and legs out of a muslin, and stuffed them with poly-fill. I used his shirt for the body, and stuffed it with poly-fill. He loved it and so did his sister, so I did the same thing for her out of her favorite shirt. I thought this way they could keep their favorite shirt and not wear it.

By Sandra P. from Locust Grove, OK

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Make Pillows From T-Shirts

Use an old favorite tee, by making a pillow out of it. Just buy or use a pillow form and make a cover by just sewing the t-shirt and matching material on 3 sides and inset pillow. Then handstitch the remaining seam.

By Vickie from Lewes, DE

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Make a T-Shirt Tote Bag

Lay the t-shirt flat, starting at one side of the neckline and ending up at the other side of the neckline, cut a deep 8 inch U SHAPE.

Next, cut off the sleeves.

Lastly, sew a seam across the bottom of t-shirt ( reinforce the seam and corners by sewing it a second time) and Voila! instant tote bag. These are super fun and easy to make. I use them for grocery shopping, etc.

By Frances from Bland, MO

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Questions

Here are questions related to Uses for Old T-Shirts.

Uses for Old T-Shirts

What do you do with old T-shirts?

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Uses for Old T-Shirts

What do you do with old T-shirts?

Pearl from Willowdale, Ontario

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

If you have any T-Shirts that are still in good shape, you could make some pillows out of them. Depending on the logo or design of the shirt, the pillow would make a great gift for a youth or teen boy. Just sew up all the openings (leaving an open area to place stuffing before closing of course). They make a great addition to a bed or to toss on the floor as a TV pillow. Good luck! (12/22/2001)

By dsullivan10

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

A friend of mine took all of the t-shirts he never wore for one reason or another and pinned them to the ceiling of his bedroom (he has no ceiling fan), leaving them tacked loosely so they're kind of poofy. We all said it felt like sitting in the bottom of the laundry basket, but clean and fresh! Another friend is going to take all his t-shirts from years of track meets and make a quilt with them. Either idea with the t-shirt pillows could really add easy and cheap spunk to someone's bedroom. (01/02/2002)

By sendmailthere

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Why don't you donate them to the homeless. They would probably appreciate a nice clean tee shirt. (01/03/2002)

By AZLEADFOOT2

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I like the suggestion to donate tees to the homeless. I have also given all my unused tees to women's shelters, youth centers, and the school nurse. It's better to send a child home in a clean tee that's too big, than in a soiled, or torn shirt. Used tees make great dusting/polishing clothes. And, I cut squares out of the material, add a small amount of liquid fabric softener for a substitute dryer sheet. (01/03/2002)

By catchdmc

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Because many of the giveaway T-shirts are size large take two that are the same size, cut off one of them right under the arms and sew the bottom section to the bottom of the whole shirt thereby lengthening it into a nightie or dress. You could add another bottom section to make it full length. Another idea is to cut them into strips to make a rag rug or crochet pot holders. (01/04/2002)

M.J.

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

My son has several t-shirts that, on cleaning day, he just could not part with. I told him to come up with an idea so he could keep them. He decided he would take the best looking one and make a pillow out of it using the others as stuffing. It's a pretty heavy pillow, but it's perfect for relaxing on the floor while watching a movie. Plus he learned the basics for sewing. Pretty good for an 11 year old. (01/04/2002)

By Lissco

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I use old or those I don't like shirts when I color my hair or when I paint around the house, and sometimes when I bleach things. Those that are too small, I have the children use when doing messy school projects, especially those that include painting! They can be used to dry off your car after washing or rubbing off wax (you might want to turn inside out to keep from scratching). Last, you can use them when you pack delicate holiday objects or in boxes as packing material for shipping. (01/04/2002)

By JDShadwick

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

If you have small clean t-shirts that you cannot use that are in good condition, a daycare may take them, to use when kids get messy or have accidents. They always kept a few extra clean clothes around "just in case" when my son went to a daycare many moons ago. I take my son's and hubby's old tees and cut them into "yarn" (long strips) and crochet rag rugs or little mats for the kitties to sleep on. If the tees are pretty worn, cut them up into squares as they make great rags for dusting, household cleaning, and washing the car. If there is good material left in the tees, they can be used to make doll clothes. My sister made some bean bags for the kids to toss, out of t-shirt cloth (you can also use dry rice in the "bean bag" so it's not as heavy). Cut out a large square from the front of the tee and use as quilt blocks (but you may have to sew it onto a heavier fabric). If your kid has lots of tees he or she outgrew, but liked, this makes a cute "memory" quilt. (I made one once using the front squares from sweatshirts, a heavier material. It came out nice.) Lastly, if they are like new, donate them to a shelter or clothing charity. (01/06/2002)

Ness, co-list mom of WasteNothing

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Use them to polish your shoes with. (01/23/2002)

By brad.askew

Uses for Old T-Shirts

Personally, I don't wear T-shirts, but I have a lot of them, it's really easy to make an old shirt a new shirt. First cut one inch slices up both sides. Then simply tie the loose ends together in double knots, making the shirt a little snugger, but a whole new look! (06/17/2004)

By Britt

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Crochet a rug with t-shirt "yarn". Cut one up by cutting into the bottom about an inch or two and then continuing round and round until you have a big "string". Then you roll those into balls of t-shirt yarn. As you crochet you sew the end of one to the beginning of the next and keep going. (07/22/2005)

By rabbithorns

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

My neighbor uses his T-shirts as seat covers on the bucket seat (rear part) in his car. The logos are interesting, good for a laugh, and he has a washable seat cover. (07/22/2005)

By Angelina

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I cut up my husband's old white cotton undershirts to use for cleaning eyeglasses and drying/polishing jewelry. They are so soft and really do a nice job. (02/03/2006)

By Debbie52

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

You can sew them into fitted tank tops and make little cat nip pillows out of the scraps. (03/12/2006)

By susan

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Rip or cut them into squares and use them for babywipes. They are softer and they don't have the chemicals that the store wipes do. We use them with just water, and our baby almost never has diaper rash. If you use cloth diapers, they can be washed right along with the diapers. The yuckiest ones get tossed!

I saw a beautiful quilt made of t-shirts from a young woman's crew events. Great memento of all her events, and cozy for her dorm. (10/31/2006)

By MamaSaves

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Cut them into squares that will fit around a dry Swiffer and after using them, wash them and reuse them. Beats paying for a box of the paper squares. (06/25/2007)

By kidena

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

My neighborhood has a few ceramic shops, they take old shirts, t-shirt or button up, and use them for their patrons to put on while painting so they don't ruin their clothes in case paint gets on them. If there are stains or rips, it doesn't bother them any, as they will get paint on them anyway. If you don't want to keep the shirts for yourself, and they are in less than perfect condition find some art studio to donate them to! (06/26/2007)

By Tinah

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I collected a number of T shirts in my travels and I don't wear them much any more. I use them to cover outdoor chair pads, just slide pad in and pin sleeves and excess fabric to back. (06/26/2007)

By Pat

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I use them to line the bottom of my plant pots so the soil doesn't drip out of the holes on the bottom side. I also use them to make fire starters. Grill A lot? Like camp fires? Save old paper egg cartons and toilet paper rolls. Stuff them with old t-shirt rags, and pour paraffin or melted candle nubs onto the t-shirt so it soaks it up. Light this under your charcoal or wood. (10/30/2007)

By babybug

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

If you have children in school, you can quickly sew them to make a snug and stretchy book cover for their textbooks. (10/30/2007)

By babybug

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I recently saw a picture of a t-shirt totebag. They widened the opening around the collar, rolled the sleeves up as handles, and strengthened all the seams. Sew across the bottom, more than once, and you have a fairly easy and sturdy totebag. I made one without a pattern, kinda guessing how they did it. Mine isn't as nicely finished, but it works. (11/12/2007)

By 4libros