If your favorite t-shirts have seen better days, think twice before tossing them! It’s easy to recycle your unwanted tees into fashionable accessories or home decor, even if you have minimal sewing skills. This roundup of clever upcycling projects will have you looking at your tees in a whole new light!
1. T-Shirt Bangle Bracelets
Turn unwanted tees into colorful bangle bracelets that will jazz up your favorite casual outfit. You can wear the bracelets one at a time or stack them for a more eclectic look. Head over to Lil Blue Boo to learn more about this fashionable DIY project.
2. T-Shirt Headband
Keep your hair out of your face with a pretty headband decorated with braided scraps of an old t-shirt. You can cover up plain headbands from your local dollar or discount store or simply makeover ones you already have at home. Alisa Burke shows you how to create this stylish hair accessory.
3. No-Sew T-Shirt Scarf
Make a stylish scarf from an old t-shirt. This quick DIY project is the perfect way to update your wardrobe or make a special handmade gift for a friend. Emily Sauser has the details on her blog.
4. T-Shirt Flowers
These colorful t-shirt flowers can be turned into brooches or added to sewing projects such as tote bags and pillows for a splash of color. Visit 3 Peppers for the tutorial.
5. T-Shirt Pom Poms
If you’re planning a party and need some festive decor ideas, these t-shirt pom poms are sure to be a hit. They’re cute, colorful, and much more eco-friendly than decorating with latex balloons. Learn how to make yours at Craftaholics Anonymous.
6. T-Shirt Garland
This fluffy garland is another fun party decor project you can make from your old t-shirts. Use pinking shears to give the cut strips a neat trim. Life Darling has the details.
7. DIY Cat Toys
Does Fluffy need a new toy? T-shirt scraps can easily be made into cute cat toys with this no-sew project from Catster.
8. Reusable No-Sew Shopping Bag
Have you been thinking about making the switch to reusable shopping bags, but don’t want to to spend the money on fancy new bags for your groceries? Try making your own from old t-shirts. This easy no-sew project will have you feeling thrifty and eco-friendly in just 10 minutes. Learn more at Mommypotamus.
9. Upcycled Storage Basket
If your room’s a mess, get your clutter under control by making pretty storage baskets from your unwanted tees. The baskets use a simple coiling technique and can be made in whatever size you wish. Head over to The Red Thread Blog for the details.
10. T-Shirt Pillow
For t-shirts with sentimental value, consider turning them into small throw pillows. Anyone Can Quilt explains how.
11. T-Shirt Quilt
Turn a collection of t-shirt with a common theme, such as vintage concert tees or tees from all the 5K races you’ve completed in the last decade, into a keepsake quilt. Head over to Goosetracks to learn how.
12. Latch Hook Rug
If you’re feeling really ambitious and have a large stack of old t-shirts to use up, this latch hook rug makes an impressive addition to any room. Learn how to make yours at Xoelle.
13. Braided T-Shirt Rug
For those of you with more vintage tastes, this braided rag rug is reminiscent of the rugs Grandma used to make. Get the complete instructions at My Poppet Makes.
