Every time we wash our sheets or open our linen closet, we realize just how many towels and sets of sheets we really do have. Even so, we tend to use the same ones over and over! That’s why we’ve started wondering whether we might be able to put our old linens to better use, which lead us to start looking for crafty ways to upcycle them around the house.
1. Baby pillowcase dress
If you’re even an amateur sewing enthusiast, this tutorial from Crafty Life Mom makes the process of turning an old pillow case into an adorable baby dress totally possible for you! We love the idea of upcycling brightly coloured and patterned cases this way to make a garment that’s airy, comfy, easy to dress Baby in, and also extremely cute.
2. Pillowcase dress for a bigger kid
Just in case your child is a little bigger than the sizes described in the tutorial above, here’s an alternative guide that will show you how to make a cute pillow case dress for a toddler or young child instead! Get all the details and some really helpful tips for making your own on Scattered Thoughts of A Crafty Mom.
3. 10-minute pillowcase apron
What if you have too many spare pillow cases to go around and you can’t make them all into little dresses or you’ll have too many that will never get worn? Then make something pillow case based for yourself too! We adore this idea from Betz White for making a cute, short pillowcase apron that only takes about 10 minutes to complete if you have a little bit of experience.
4. Kids’ pillowcase apron
Are your kids such little “mini-me’s” that you just know they’ll want a pillowcase apron too the second you make one for yourself? In that case, we have a feeling you’ll get along very well indeed with this fantastic kids’ apron tutorial from Thrifty Below that’s made from a brightly patterned pillowcase and some lacy trim.
5. Upcycled bed sheets napkins
Aprons and dresses certainly aren’t the only things you can make from old linens, and pillowcases aren’t the only kind of linen you can upcycle, either! Check out how Design Sponge made these fantastically floral cloth dinner napkins by getting creative with a set of old bed sheets.
6. Bed sheets into a play tent
In our house, toys and play things made from upcycled household items have always been a big hit because our kids, who are also crafty, love to help make the new thing and play with it after. That’s why this bed sheet play tent was such a hit for us! Sunny Sweet Days shows you how to make it happen in just a few simple steps.
7. Bed sheet decoupaged dresser drawers
If you’ve never tried doing fabric decoupage crafts before then we’re sorry to tell you that you’ve been missing out! Give it a try now by following Under Construction‘s simple steps for using old patterned bed sheets to give the drawer fronts of a plain old dresser an exciting new facelift.
8. No-sew couch slip
Have you actually been scrolling through these ideas and hoping to find more simple options for upcycling your old bed sheets that don’t involve sewing? In that case, we have a feeling you might prefer something like this DIY bed sheet couch cover tutorial features on Appalachia Jennifer!
9. Towel and concrete painted planters
Have you actually been hoping to find an idea that’s a little more crafty and interesting to get your kids involved in? Perhaps you just have a green thumb and you’re always keeping your eyes peeled for DIY projects that will help you display you plants better. In either case, check out how Nature made these fantastically shaped towel and concrete planters and then painted them fun colours!
10. Flip flop and towel slippers
Have you always loved the lovely, soft feeling of your favourite worn towels but you recently got news ones to dry off with and now you’re grappling with the idea of getting rid of the originals? Instead of throwing them out, take a look at how Crafty Nest made these wonderfully comfy and surprisingly warm terry cloth slippers made from sections of old towels!
11. Kids’ towel kimono
Is the towel you’re hoping to give a new lease on life actually one that’s patterned and colourful because it belonged to your kids? Then perhaps you’d do better making something like these adorable kiddie towel kimonos that are outlined step by simple step on iCandy Handmade. We love the padded fabric style embroidered diamond pattern across the fabric!
12. Knot and fringe towel dog bed
Just because you’re done with a set of towels for now doesn’t mean that another member of your family won’t find them useful! In particular, the family dog can get a lot of comfort out of a set of old towels, especially if you follow the steps outlined on Mom’s Best Nest to make a simple, comfortable bed. This project is a no-sew one thanks to easy knotting techniques all around the edges.
13. Granny chic sheet wrapped pendant
We’ve always loved the homemade aesthetic that jewelry pieces involving fabric seem to have. We also got a giggle out of the way Doe C Doe described this particular homemade piece as being “granny chic”! Check out how they made an easy, quickly completed pendant by wrapping a wire shape in thin strips cut from a colourful old bedsheet.
14. Easy to sew tea towel curtains
Bath towels aren’t the only kinds of towels in your house, nor are they the only kind that you can actually upcycle int more useful things around the house! Hey Let’s Make Stuff shows you in full detail how to turn a set of colour contrasting tea towels into simple, half height curtains that are perfect for the kitchen window above the counter and sink.
15. Tablecloth to flatware pockets
Do you have an old table cloth that has become worn and stained over the years and that you’ve used a lot, but that you love the pattern of and can’t bear to throw out? Then perhaps you’d prefer to upcycle it by making it into flatware pockets instead! My Thrift Store Addiction shows you how to do that quickly and easily.
