25+ ways to repurpose old t shirts

25+ ways to repurpose old t shirts! Lots of tshirt upcycle projects to get you crafting instead of trashing.

They slowly build up between gifts and events and thrifting, but what happens when you have too many tshirts? Or a stack of them that you don’t even want to wear anymore? Chop them up and make them something brand new!

This list is for projects that treat the tshirt like fabric and use it for a completely different thing; I have a separate post for tshirt refashion ideas if you want to just change the look of the tshirt.

While you’re here, check out some of these other posts too!

• What to do with old jeans – 45+ upcycle sewing tutorials
• 25+ ways to refashion purses & bags
• 20+ ways to refashion clothes that are too small
• 12+ thrift store dress refashion tutorials
• Upcycled flannel shirts – 15+ creative ideas
• 40+ ways to upcycle sweaters into something new
• 20+ upcycle socks craft ideas

I had a lot of fun making the list, please leave a comment if you can think of a tutorial or idea that other people would benefit from seeing in this post!

Pin this list of 25+ ways to repurpose old t shirts with this link or collage image, please click through to the original blogs to pin individual posts!

25+ ways to repurpose old t shirts

A drawstring bag tutorial that sews up quickly from old tshirts, here on Swoodson Says.

Literally obsessed with this cheery woven tshirt rug from A Piece of Rainbow! What a fun way to change up your decor and use up old tshirts.

I use this tutorial several times a week with my wild children; see how to upcycle a tshirt into diy patches here on Swoodson Says.

This is such a fun idea; making a garden flag from an old tshirt, over at Happiness is Homemade.

Aw, my puppy is big now but these bandanas still fit him 45 pounds later because they’re made from stretchy tshirts! Free DIY dog bandana pattern here on Swoodson Says.

I love this! An upcycled tshirt bag tutorial (no sew!) from Kenarry; it would be a great craft for a big group, too.

This is a bit of a cheat because I technically used a baby onesie but that is essentially a tiny tshirt! Sew up this free doll diaper sewing pattern with the Swoodson Says tutorial.

Another spin on an upcycled tshirt rug, this one is from Scratch and Stitch and looks very meditative to make!

Puppy all grown up; now you can see how to make braided dog toys from tshirts; this was a big hit and the tutorial is here on Swoodson Says.

You know socks disappear at the drop of a hat; use up some old tshirts and sew adorable upcycled tshirt socks from Sewing Rabbit to replace them! [2024 edit note – this website appears to be gone, leaving it up for visual inspiration]

This was one of my favorite past projects; see how to make upcycled Christmas ornaments from tshirts on Swoodson Says (also included in this roundup of upcycled christmas ornaments to make from old clothes).

Love this idea for skipping those skimpy plastic produce bags, with a tutorial from Delia Creates.

Sew some super cheap stuffed animals with this tshirt upcycle project here on my site! My kiddo treasures this softie!

I think this is so fun, an upcycled tshirt scarf! What a great idea to use up kid’s tshirts too. Tutorial by Cathe Holden. [2024 edit note – this website appears to be gone, leaving it up for visual inspiration]

An upcycled applique quilt, almost all those critters are made from old clothes! See more details in this post.

Use old tshirts to sew with your kids; check out this free stuffed snake sewing pattern here on Swoodson Says.

Use up an old tshirt and make it into reusable wrapping paper! See how to make furoshiki from old t-shirts here on Swoodson Says.

Can you tell that pillow used to be a tshirt? I made this one Christmas-y but it would be great for team sports and past vactio tsshirts too! See the easy way to turn a t shirt into a pillow here on Swoodson Says.

A tshirt quilt doesn’t have to involve lots of fussy cutting and interfacing – see how to make an upcycled tshirt quilt the easy way with this tutorial on Swoodson Says.

I know this is technically from leggings but it would work exactly the same cut from old tshirts! See how to sew a scrunchie with my tutorial here on Swoodson Says.

Not all of these are writtern for knit fabric but almost all of them would work well for t-shirt upcycling! Headband tutorials for women roundup on my blog.

Upcycled tshirt to backpack tutorial from Heather Handmade, this is perfect for toting toys!

Such a clever idea, Felt With Love Designs turned old baby clothes into a DIY quiet book, what a fun baby gift.

 

I think the proportions of this tshirt tote look great, from Unicorn Hideout (also included in the upcycled purse idea post).

Make a monster tshirt quilt; this is an easy way for how to make a tshirt quilt without interfacing!

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• If you find yourself with a bunch of random sleeves after doing some of the other projects, make cute little drawstring bags with this tutorial from Infarrantly Creative.
• Could these big poofy pom poms be any more fun! I want to see a whole wreath of them, tutorial from Craftaholics Anonymous.
• Another style of scarf, this is a bright and fun upcycled tshirt scarf, tutorial from Lil Blue Boo.
• Stretch it over a canvas and make it wall art, like the Crafty Lumberjacks.