I'm looking for some information. I recently learned to crochet and am practicing making rag rugs (all shapes) and tote bags with recycled t-shirts that I cut up into strips.
At first, my family was really excited about my rugs and I made lots. They gave me all their discarded t-shirts and stuff. I now have mountains of old t-shirts which aren't good to give away, but perfect to recycle into other things.
The problem is, now my family is begging me not to make them any more rugs, place mats and bags because they have so many. I still have literally a mountain of old stuff which I would love to use, but I have no idea for what else to make with them.
Does anyone have any ideas please? I really hate to throw them away, but they are taking up so much storage space for nothing, at the moment. Any thoughts, please?
Hey micksgirl! If you're interested in moving to a tiny island in the middle of the Mediterranean, then I would be happy to make you as many as you want! donating them to fund raising sales for charity would be an excellent idea! I don't have much income(cant go to work as I have an autistic child to care for alone) but I'm always happy to help those worse off than myself. Thanks, I'll start on a few now!
Several years ago, when my nephew graduated from high school, I went to a place that screen prints shirts, and bought a t-shirt, then had them put his football number on it, and the name of his school, along with his last name on the back. I couldn't afford to buy the actual jersey type shirt, so a t-shirt had to do. I then made it into a throw pillow for his graduation present.
I have my children's t-shirts from their little league, soccer, vacation spots and favorite TV shows for pillows, sewn together for quilts and curtains with backings. The memories will last a lifetime.
Can't remember where I found this idea a few months ago but I kept the picture as a future project reminder for a fun and goofy pillow :-) It's pretty self explanatory how to make one ;-) I too have a collection of t-shirts to recycle ;-)
Move closer to me and make me some rag rugs, I wont complain, lol. A realistic idea, make some more rag rugs and donate them. Nursing homes, pet shelters, etc.
I dont know anything about crochet/knitting(it confuses me). But for reusing tees with sewing(hand or machine) I highly recommend "Generation T, 108 ways to transforn a t-shirt" by Megan Nicolay $10.37 on amazon.
Oh Cindy! What a gifted lady you are! I haven't been on your site for a while and had no idea you were using t-shirt yarn as well as plarn. I've made tons of stuff for myself from your site: video tape bags, plarn shopping bags, purses, etc. Now I can start on other things, and knowing how talented you are, I'm sure you will invent some more patterns for t-shirt yarn. I'll be visiting your site often to have a look. You are truly amazing! God bless you!
I have several projects for crocheting with T-yarn (tee-shirt cut into yarn) at this link http://www.myrecycledbags.com/category/t-shirt-yarn-crafts/ I have curled it and it's really cool to crochet with it. You can also just crochet with it cut into strips like you do with rags. I have a few free patterns at my blog using the T-yarn if you'd like to try them.
Thank you all so much. Loads of ideas here, and since I'm not too good at sewing. If they don't work out, at least I have plenty of fabric piled up, so I can try again!
Dolls: they make awesome fabric for making rag dolls! Lacy women's & girls t's: you can cut the sleeves shorter & make them smaller then crochet around the neck & sleeves.
Sachet's: make tiny pillows from the fabric & stuff with dried lavender for sachets. Hanging sachets: make hearts that hang from ribbons with dried lavender to hang in closets.
Ribbing: use t-shirts as ribbing on cuffs of other clothes (fold over fabric & iron to make ribbing) Scarves: dye & cut strips for fringe scarves.
Pillow cases: they make the softest pillow cases!
Summertime couch & throw pillow covers: in the summer, cut off the top part to form a tube with bottom section then take this tube & cover couch cushions to keep sweat off & keep couch clean.
Hot pads & trivets: make hot pads: fill with cloves & cinnamon to make wonderful smelling trivets. Heating pads: make tubes then fill with rice then microwave to make "hot pads".
Eyepads: make little tube or "sunglasses shape" then fill with buckwheat for eyepads to aid sleeping. Drawstring bags: kids can keep toys in them or store anything in them.
Glasses case: keep you sunglasses from getting scratched in tiny drawstring bag. Crochet bag: make a bag to store 1 skein of yarn & a crochet hook or knitting needles to take on-the-go projects.
Sleeping bag storage: make a drawstring bag to store sleeping bags. Hammock: I've seen indoor hammocks made from crocheted strips of t-shirts.
Beanbag chair: sew wedges together then tie-dye & fill with shredded foam or pellets. Little girls ruffled t-shirt: cut strips from a t-shirt then fold in half & iron. use this to make a ruffle for adding on to the
Bottom of kids t-shirt. Also sew a ruffle on the sleeves. Applique: make kids t-shirt from adults t, adding zig-zag appliqué.
Saw some interesing ideas in this month's Family Fun magazine - for scarves & cutouts - also check with Martha Stewart's site & threadbanger.com on the net always has ideas, too.
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Request: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
Archived on 08/20/2009
Does anyone know what I can make out of old T-shirts? Something I can wear or what not.
Amanda from SC
Feedback:
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
You can cut them into rags, or put them over your car seats for covers, and even re-construct them into tank tops or night shirts. Or if they're still wearable, give them to someone who needs them. (03/02/2008)
By laramay
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
Here in Southwest AZ., we spend a lot of time outside so I use worn T-shirts to cover cushions for outdoor furniture. You can just pin the excess to the back of the cushion. (03/03/2008)
By Pat
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
They make great rag rugs. A half double crochet is the best stitch to use. (03/04/2008)
You can make many interesting cuts in the shirt and fringe the bottom and make a hippie shirt. I wear them all the time. You simply cut the bottom and sleeve hems off, not the sleeves if you don't want, make cuts about 3 quarters of an inch apart all the way around, and pull on them. it causes them to curl into a fringe. I put pony beads on mine, they're really cool. :) (03/05/2008)
My son-in-law is an amateur water skier who competes nationwide. He has purchased tee shirts with logos from all of the tournaments, all quite artful, I might add. I took his favorites and made them into a quilt. I cut the logo from the chest or back portion of the tee shirt and ironed it onto Wonder Under before sewing the squares together.
Find the biggest logo and cut all the others into same-sized squares. Leave some white around each logo when cutting. After sewing the squares together, I bought a queen sized sheet made from that "tee-shirt material", filled it with Warm & Natural, turned the edges over from the bottom and sewed a binding. Be sure and wash the sheet and the tee shirts before making the quilt.
The quilt is not real heavy and that thing has been washed a hundred times without it falling apart (only by God's merciful Grace because I didn't actually know what I was doing when I made it). (03/05/2008)
By Carolyn
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
Try making a traditional colonial braided rug from old cotton T-shirts. Cut worn T-shirts horizontally into 2" wide strips then snip the rings so they open up into a long strip. Some people sew the strips together to make a long snaky string, but I just slightly roll the fabric and weave the new ends into the braid approximately 3" from the end of the old one as I braid. I like to use groups of 3 colors together to make my braid (i.e., red/white/blue or dark blue/med blue/white).
As you braid every few feet, go back and wind your braid into an oval and hand-sew each new ring of braid to the ring that went before using a slip or other invisible stitch (I prefer nylon upholstery thread as it is indestructible). Make your braids fairly tight as this adds strength to the rug. You can make a huge braid out of dozens of old T-shirts then go back and sew it into an oval later, but I find it less tedious to sew as you go.
Don't be afraid to change colors every so often to make concentric stripes. The nice thing about doing it this way is that you can use T-shirts that have moderate staining or minor wear that otherwise would go into the trash because the braiding hides a lot of sins (just don't use parts that have worn so thin they compromise the strength of your rug). These make good doorway, bathroom, or kitchen-sink rugs because you can wash them.
Unlike "real" colonial wool rugs, you can just throw these in a big soapy bucket of hot water to soak overnight, throw them over the railing of your deck, hose them down, and let them dry in the sun. (07/24/2008)
By Anna
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
I have seen several things made by local artists in stores and I have been saving old shirts to make into bags. I've also made a couple that have patches on them, this way you don't have to get rid of old shirts you love.
Also saw some ideas for making pants into a bag and such. Get creative! And if at first you don't succeed, try try again! :) Good luck! (12/13/2008)
I have access to a lot of inexpensive used t-shirts and I was wondering if anyone has any craft ideas. I can't crochet but I guess I could learn. I was thinking maybe rugs or something that would take advantage of the myriad colors I'll have available.
Anna from Indiana
Answers:
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
My old roommates grandmother made a quilt out of her old t-shirts. It was really quite nice. Hope this helps (03/11/2005)
By Jill
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
Hello, I'm going to take mine & cut into 4" squares to make into a super comfy blanket! I have saved all t-shirts from when the kids were little of special places we purchased t-shirts from & I plan to cut out the logos. Also the pockets are cool to cut out to, the same with jeans, I save all old jeans & I plan to use the pockets! I just think it would be a super comfy comfort blanket to curl up with on those not feeling so good days! One day I'll be able to get this project done! I hope this gives you some ideas, good luck! (03/11/2005)
By Brenda
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
Old t-shirt (logos) make interesting patches for patch work quilts. Check at "Simply Quilts" at
www. hgtv.com. for good directions. (03/11/2005)
By Connie
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
They make adorable pillows for in a family room or a child's bedroom. just sew around the sleeve openings inside out and the bottom. turn and stuff w/ old hose or poly-fill. slip stitch the neck shut, and you have a pillow! (03/12/2005)
My mother has rugs that look like they've been made out of used t-shirts. It looks like the maker just rolled up pieces of the shirts in 1 cm thin lines, tied them in little sections (also about 1 cm sections), then sewed the sections all together. It looks slightly time consuming as well, but it's cheap! Look up rag rugs, you've probably seen them, and they sound like what you're looking for.
Something I like to do is make journals. You can find techniques for binding the pages (I'd tell you but I'm afraid I can't explain it without a demonstration or pictures). Then I cover the journals in old t-shirts that have a neat design or pattern on them.
Also, patchwork skirts can be a fun item to wear, or patchwork pajama pants. You can make pillow cases for your bed with cotton shirts, and I find it's comfy.
(03/12/2005)
By Meghan
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
My friend made a quilt out of anything and everything she could find, some squares were pics from kids t shirts and it was so cute. Even the rubbery type t shirt graphics worked and looked nice! I've wanted to give it a try, but haven't put my mind to it yet :-) (03/22/2005)
I made a pillow out of an old t-shirt I had. They are really easy to make, and very comfy! (05/02/2005)
By Sara
RE: Ideas for tank tops
I'm a very young girl who wants to go into fashion and I have a lot of those white beaters and tank tops and what I do is; take the tank top I want to use and sew it over a long sleeve shirt or short sleeve and then i cut holes in the front NOT TO BIG. I laced them up with ribbons or shoelaces and I added safety pins to them. Now everyone wants me to make them! By the way, this is for you Allison. (07/31/2005)
By Lindsay
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
For a cute and fun pillow follow these directions:
1. Make the base (the pillow part) like johnsonya suggested.
2. Blanket stitch (button hole stitch) with contrasting yarn on the arms and bottom.
3. Embellish with buttons, lace, ribbons, yarn, appliques (sorry if miss-spelled), or denim pockets for home phones or remotes.
4. Fill with poly-fill or anything else that is "stuffing-like".
5. Blanket stitch bottom and VOILA! A cute and comfy pillow!
Hope this works!! I haven't tried it but am going to!
~ Mackenzie age 11 (06/11/2007)
By
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
Cut to fit swiffer sweeper, attach to sweeper and dip in water and scrub floor totally washable. (09/28/2007)
By winglesangel
RE: Craft Ideas For Used T-shirts
I made a bag out of an old long sleeve tee shirt, I turned it inside out and stitched at where i thought a good length would be. Then I put it back the right way cut the neckline bigger to be the top of the bag, and I tied the sleeves together to make the strap. (12/29/2007)
