I was in a sorority in college, so I have tons and tons and tons of t-shirts. I’ve been saving all of these shirts for five years so that I could make a t-shirt quilt.
But let’s be honest, I’m not making a t-shirt quilt.
(1) I don’t know how to quilt. (2) Even if I learned how to make one, I am so anal retentive that I couldn’t handle any square being cut unevenly and it would drive me nuts. (3) I don’t think I would use a t-shirt quilt. To be honest, I don’t like the way it looks, so wouldn’t really display it and my snuggie is oh so much softer than a jersey quilt (and has sleeves!).
Now I have all these t-shirts under my bed and am determined never to move with them again. So what to do? Here are my options:
image from dudecraft
- The t-shirt shopping bag/tote. This is incredibly easy. Would it be worth it to line this with a sturdier fabric so I could use it for heavy groceries? This one has a cute strap/closure. I might do this this weekend, and will keep you updated.
- A t-shirt headband. I wouldn’t use this for the shirt with the best design, but this would be great for the gym. For those of you that like to look cute at the gym. Also, if you put this around your neck it could be a necklace like this one.
- T-shirt scarf. With ruffles or without.
- T-shirt skirt. Super cute when you work in other contrasting fabric.
- T-shirt pillow.
- Line the jersey with corduroy or velvet and make a case for your sunglasses. You can close it with elastic, snaps, or sew a buttonhole on one side before you sew it shut.
- Christmas ornaments! I might send some of these to my sorority friends, or you could keep them for yourself.
- Use it to make a purse, tote, or makeup bag.
- Reupholster a seat cushion.
- A laptop case! With the cutest pockets ever. You could sew in a zipper to close it too. Also, you could cut up a shirt to use as a laptop screen protector.
- Swimsuit cover up. Would this get too wet?
- A dress! This sounds awesome, actually. And comfortable. This kid’s dress is cool as heck too.
- I sort of like the idea that my kid could wear a skirt made out of my old sorority shirts. But just the bid day ones, not the crush party or reggae weekend ones. That would be totally inappropriate for a 5 year old.
- T-shirt weaving. For pillows or placemats or art. Make a loom with some screws, string, and an old wooden picture frame or the Ikea Tyglosa frame.
Happy crafting! I seriously need to get back to the sewing machine this weekend, so might try a few of these.
{ 58 comments… read them below or add one }
Thanks for linking!! Good list!
Thanks! I’m so glad I found your blog. I love the dollar store more than anything, really!
What GREAT ideas. Thanks!
http://www.theprettyproject.com
thanks! and neat blog, btw
This is my first time visiting your blog, thanks for all excellent links! I’m also guilty of holding on to way too many t-shirts. The t-shirt weaving looks especially interesting. Thanks again!
Thanks! I’ve been looking for a big, lightweight piece of art for my bedroom made out of a fabric or paper medium, so I’m going to look into the weaving idea. Plus it’ll have sentimental value, you know?
I am so excited!!! I have a mess of a closet and don’t know what to do with all those t-shirts for events and things I’d like to remember but not necessarily wear.
Exactly. I’m too far out of college to wear my college shirts, I think and I only need so many for the gym, you know?
My wife could make them into a lovelt teddy bear for you. Check her website http://www.bubsbears.com
Those are adorable teddies!
so cute!
My wife could make them into a lovelt teddy bear for you. Check her website http://www.bubsbears.com
Clever isn’t she?
Clever isn’t she?
What a GREAT list! Now it’ll be fun using up all those shirts. Thanks for this!!
Thanks for commenting!
Great post…loved all of the tutorials~I will be sewing t’s this weekend. You’ve awoken a creative bug in me! My sewing machine will be glad to get the layer of dust off of it too.
post pics when you’re done!
Love it! A person with my own hunger! I have a box of clothes to make something with this winter. Your blog is an inspiration.
Thanks,
Granny Pants
thank you!
T shirt pillow, love that!
thanks!!
I really like the pillow idea. I too have a ton of sorority T-shirts that I try not to wear (but some days I really don’t feel like doing laundry). So the ones that have cute designs could be really cute pillows. Why didn’t I think of this?
Thanks! I’m also thinking about making some mini clutches out of them to give as gifts to some of my old sisters. Let me know how it turns out!
That’s such a good list of choices. I am not very sewing oriented, but maybe I’ll try the shopping tote!
yes! the tote and the scarf are fairly easy. thanks for commenting!
congrats on being “freshly pressed”!
all wonderful ideas, it’s just a shame i can’t sew – at all. maybe when i’m old and gray and need a new hobby.
Alright, Katie you can at least make one of your domestic friends sew the one stitch the tote requires.
Thanks for your comment!
I tried to actually sew a yoga bag once. It was horribly ugly, but it served its purpose…I don’t think I have any domestic friends. Sad, right?
ps. I love the clutch idea!
Great ideas! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks!
That kids dress is awesome
seriously, people are so creative
Why wear t-shirts when you can buy an actual shirt
kidding.
sentimental value! concerts, college, marathons. don’t you worry, I will find ways to alter old actual shirts too!
Wow, I was browsing blogs out of boredom and found yours. I have tons of old high-school shirts and souvenir shirts and love your ideas. The links were all great too. I would go for the scarf, if you wear scarfs (I don’t). I think I’ll make a throw pillow.
Also, if you have some small souvenirs, you could add those to your project. For instance, I have a rose I was given a long time ago that I could sew into a plastic pouch like this, but I would find a thicker, high-quality plastic to use.
Keep updating. Love your blog.
great idea! thanks for your comment.
Nice ideas!
i like your blog!
visit mine: http://www.withsummerlove.wordpress.com
of course, will visit!
Great ideas. I love the T-Shirt pillow
The pillow instructions are so detailed! I can’t wait to try it and show you.
the t-shirt dress looked really good as well as the t-shirt pillow.
your icon is amazing
I think you should make a skirt for you and your kid!
I will! But first I need to make a kid.
Get making!
You are so creative! I have tons of shirts from sports and college over the years.
Thanks, Susan
I like the variant with T-shirt pillow! lol!
try it! it’s going to be so soft
Thanks for the DudeCraft shout out and the cool round up of other projects! Nice blog!
Thanks! And thanks for providing the tutorial! I love your site, but I’m not a dude. I hope that’s okay.
this post is one of the most useful ever! i’ve been planning what to give to friends for christmas… something cute, cool and these are perfect! i might ask them to hand a shirt they can not part with but will be willing for me to deconstruct
that’s smart! and affordable.
Really innovative! … hope you’re having a lovely Weekend! xoxo
Hi All,
I’ve seen ur prof. u can use ur old t-shirts in many ways.
u can use as refurbish Shirts.
n go for some new.
Here comes the coolest & most affordable offer in the christmas season from greenturtle.com. Greenturtle is online t-shirts super store & is offering cool t-shirts in 8 $.
So hurry up….what are you waiting for….well for more details please visit
Greenturtle
You have a lot of options to choose from. But all of those listed are okay. It seems that it is very interesting to try some of those. Thanks for sharing.
I know of a local comapny in Columbus that takes your collection of t-shirts from your favorite sport, hobby, or special vacation and turns them into a special keepsake that is attractive and functional.
Their work is extraordinary and their profits go to support deaf initiatives. This business empoloyes deaf individuals. You can “recycle” and help a charity as well.
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