Uses for Old T-Shirts

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RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I saw a t shirt ripped into a square neck, the sleeves were split and tied in bows and the bottom looked like a car wash split. How many styles can T shirts be torn into and where do you find the styles?

Post By Sheilaperk (Guest Post)

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.

Post by 4libros

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

If you have children in school, you can quickly sew them to make a snug and strectchy book cover for their textbooks.

Post by babybug

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 Alot? 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.

Post by babybug

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Just Google the word 'reconstructed tshirts' and you will get some web sites. I had a ball looking at what people did (mainly young girls) with tshirts.

Some made a dress out of a large one. Another lady bought a large one from the Op shop and trimmed it and she had a funky long tshirt.

Another young girl made undies out of them. As some t's have cute prints on them she decided to give it a go. She even has a pattern that you can use.

Have fun.
Linda

Post By Linda Smyth (Guest Post)

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.

Post By Pat (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Make a quilt.

Post by hugmehugs

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

My neighborhood has a few ceramic shops, they take old shirts, tshirt 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!

Post By tinah (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I cut them into large squares for dusting furniture, no paper towel streaking or wet hands and they are washable. If you play cornhole, you can make bean bags.

Post by babydoll21

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I USE MY OLD TEE SHIRTS TO DRY MY FACE AND HAIR INSTEAD OF TOWELS. THEY ARE SO MUCH SOFTER AND BETTER FOR YOUR SKIN AND HAIR.

Post by CHEAPERTHANCHEAP

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Cut them into squares that will fit around a dry SWIFFER & after using them, wash them & reuse them. Beats paying for a box of the paper squares.

Post by kidena

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

There is a book about what to do with old t-shirts. I'm sorry but I don't remember the name. My daughter has it and has made a beautiful blanket with squares cut from the shirts. It is a wonderful wedding present for her cousin. She found t's that where personal to her cousin and her new husband. It looks like a quilt. she used a flat sheet for the back. The book had so many uses for t's it was really amazing. I wish I could remember the name of it. It was in paperback. Mayber someone else knows about it.

Post by Connie from Canada

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Cut them into strips that can be rolled into balls.
Either crochet them into rugs, or braid them into rugs. My husband's grandmother used to make some beautiful rugs this way.

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

How do you turn it into yarn?

Post By Sarah (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

If you know how to knit or crochet then sometimes local animal shelters need blankets for cat cages. You can turn the t-shirt into yarn and it makes a perfect little blanket for the cats and it's easy for the shelter to wash too.

Post By Rachel (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Just cut them up!!! Make them cool!!!

Post By Izabella (Guest Post)

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.

Post By MamaSaves (Guest Post)

More Ideas

When I have a T I love but is really small, I turn into a pillow. They are really comfortable. I'm also considering cutting out the logos and turning them into patchwork quilts, or cutting it into yarn and knitting a bag for laundry and stuff.

Post By kritterknitter (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I cut mine up and use them for cleaning.

We also use them for cleaning things outdoors...like waxing the car, cleaning the grill etc. Or in garages...most men use them when they are working in the grease and stuff.

Or wear them while cleaning or doing something messy.

I have cut them (from the bottom side up to the top) and laid them out as "drop clothes" for messy projects...like dying easter eggs, dying hair, cutting hair (just pick it up and the mess is pretty much clean), etc.

I cut them and use them when cutting my Fiance's hair (to prevent the hair from getting all over him).

We have used them to wrap breakables up when storing them away.

Post by katieandjeffy

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I was just looking at another site that had instruction on how to make old T-Shirts into underwear. I'm now trying to find a site w/more crafty ideas....Like a book I once saw, and didn't buy....I regret it now, but it's too late so w/e I'll figure out something to do =]

Post By BassPlayer (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

You can sew them into fitted tank tops and make little cat nip pillows out of the scraps

Post By susan (Guest Post)

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.

Post by Debbie52

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Short sleeve shirts make great light-stoppers while brewing wine in 5 gallon carboys. The neck of each T-shirt needs to be snugged around the neck of the carboy, but two or more shirts staggered around the glass make a light-proof cover and keep the wine from becoming skunky.

Post By tata (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

u can make shorts out of them

Post By dunrf (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

My neigbor 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.

Post By Angelina (Guest Post)

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.

Post by rabbithorns

T-Shirts for Cleaning Rags

In lieu of old diapers, as everyone uses Pampers now, cut up old stained or torn T Shirts for cleaning rags. Free, they do a great job and no lint. They can be tossed when doing a really messy job. Bonus - Short sleeves cut away from body of shirt fit perfect on base of those "Swifter" type mops!

By Sandy

Post by ThriftyFun

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Hi there -- We have a ton of t-shirts in the house, and my husband keeps bringing home more whenever he goes to trade shows. I don't even like t-shirts, and the thrift store certainly doesn't need them. So, aside from rags for furniture polishing or what-have-you, does a use for old t-shirts exist?

- BlakeKR

Post by ThriftyFun

Old T-shirts

Don't throw away old t-shirts. They can be given away to those less fortunate or cut up and used as cleaning rags, etc.

By Erica Greca

Post by ThriftyFun

Uses for Old T-Shirts

Personally, I dont 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 !!!!

Post By Britt (Guest Post)

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Use them to polish your shoes with.

Post by brad.askew

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

I read something just the other day where you cut one tee shirt off just below the arms and sew that to the bottom of another tee shirt of matching color(s) and you have a nice nightshirt. :)

Post by longfarm

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 -- came out nice.)

Lastly, if they are like new, donate them to a shelter
or clothing charity.

Ness, co-list mom of WasteNothing

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 sometime 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.

Post by JDShadwick

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

My son has several t-shirts that, on cleaning day, 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.

Post by Lissco

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.
- M.J.

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

The excess Tee Shirts could go to a Homeless or Battered womens's shelter.
- Linne

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

A good idea for an old worn out t-shirt is a throw away tissue when you have a baddddd cold and runny nose.
- Nell

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Extra T-shirts could be given to the men and women shelters in your town. They are very glad to have a shirt to wear.
- Nancy

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 sqares out of the material, add a small amount of liquid fabric softener for a substitute dryer sheet.

Post by catchdmc

RE: Uses for Old T-Shirts

Why don't you donate them to the homeless. They would probably appreciate a nice clean tee shirt.

Post by AZLEADFOOT2

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.

Post by sendmailthere

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!

Post by dsullivan10

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