What to do with all those old t-shirts?
We did a post a while ago that was very popular and featured over 15 ideas about how you can upcycle and recycle old t-shirts. Did you know that well over 2 billion new t-shirts are made each and every year?
I don't know about you, but between my closet, my husbands, and our two teenage kids, our house is awash in old t-shirts. I thought our first article had some pretty good ideas but feedback from our readers told us that they still want more ideas on how to upcycle, re-use, re-purpose and ultimately recycle old t-shirts.
So I decided to put together the ultimate list of t-shirt upcycle and recycle ideas. And as usual, I'd like to share that list with you. I really hope you enjoy it and find some good ideas!
100+ Ideas to Upcycle or Recycle Old T-shirts
T Shirt Flower Dress
Keepsake Quilt
Cut Out Back
Bow T-shirt
T Shirt Ruffle Scarf
Cute Halter Top
Pillow
Braided Infinity Scarf
Flower Ruffle Tank
Easy Infinity Scarf
2 Become 1 Dress
Side Gathered Shirt
Bad Bananas Dress
Ruffled Rosette Pillow
Teezer Skirt
Little Man Pajamas
Cut Out Back Shirt
Cute Nightgown
Betsy Ross Dress
Contrasting Sleeve Top
Tank
Happy Bum Pants
Baby Blanket
Ruffle Skirt
Quick Fix Grocery Bag
No Sew T shirt Pom Poms
Polo Refashion
No Sew Cropped Tank
Dolman Top
Simple T Shirt Refashion
Emma Pillsbury T Shirt Refashion
Jersey Necklace
Simple Dress
Girls Nightgown
T shirt Bracelets
Throw Pillows
T Shirt Rug
No Sew 10 Minute Tote
Underpants
Tee Bag
Ruffle Hat
Memory Pillow
Halloween Wreath
Old T-shirt to Skirt
Fabric Flowers
Memory Quilt
Cropped Knotted Tank
Mooshy Belly Bunny
5 min Tshirt Refashion
T shirt Refashion
20 Minute Cinch Tee
Ruffly T Shirt
Anthro Inspired Hip Cinched Blouse
Pretty Pink Purse
Corseted White T Shirt
Floral Refashioned Shirt
T-Shirt Shrug
Girls Dress
Strapless Top with Pockets
Bow Tee
Yoga Pants
Gathered Back T shirt
Petal Tees
Large to Fitted
Tee Refashion
Strapless No Sew T Shirt
Peplum Top
Anthropologie Inspired T
T-Shirt Halter
3 Shirts to Dress
Chic Sundress
Simple Maternity Skirt
Ruffle Necktie Tee
T shirt Apron
T-Shirt Quilt
Recycled T shirt Tote Bag
Summer Top
T Shirt Dress
Diamond Smock T shirt
Giant Flower
Tunic
Shag Pillow
T Shirt Leg Warmers
One Shoulder Ruffle Shirt
Alphabet Bean Bag
T-shirt Necklace Pendant
Lace Sleeve Tank Top
Jumper Skirt
T shirt Shorts
Headband with a Twist
Two-Color-A-Line Tee Skirt
Burlap Bag
French Pouf
T shirt Hat
Shaggy Heart Dress
Piping
Undies
Braided Belt
Neckerchief Style T Shirt Scarf
Hipster Headband
Embellished T Shirt
T Shirt Headband
Creative with Espadrilles
Notebook Pocket
Baby Knotted Hat
Fitted Tee
No Sew Bow
Another popular clothing recycling idea is how to recycle denim jeans. Here are 101 Creative Ideas to Recycle Denim Jeans:
Love these ideas! Too cute!
Thank you, again and again!! for all the info in your posts. I’m sitting here in central North Carolina, USA waiting for all the rain that is to come and hoping I can get started on some sewing. You inspire my creativity.
Charlie
I’ve read that T-shirts make good masks. Since we have to wear masks I think that knit cotton fabric would make comfortable ones.
[…] You can really minimize your waste by choosing to recycle. We've written a lot and collected a lot of projects to help you re-use and recycle your old clothes. Here's another huge roundup of 100+ Ways to Upcycle and Recycle Old T-Shirts. […]
My 30 y-o daughter cuts T-shirts into strips, the crochets the strips making throw pillow covers or fabric baskets
I would love to have a pick…
You can also make “chemo hats” out of t-shirts. You can make them in small, medium, and large. There are a lot more patterns out there than there used to be. “Comfort Quilters” (old Fairbanks School in Fairbanks, IN 47849) make to donate to local hospitals, as well as the Wabash Valley Sewing Connection, Terre Haute, IN. CC also makes fleece blankets and quilts which are usually donated to disaster areas, or other charity causes.
I go to our local Goodwill Outlet , they sell clothes by the POUND ( about a $1.47) lol, my fave “fabric” store. remake into rugs , potholders etc. this year I’m getting sweaters and stuff to remake into hats and scarves, mittens to donate to homeless shelter.
I also use them to make dog beds for our local no kill shelter. Kitty tested of course.