50+ Uses for Old T Shirts & T Shirt Reconstruction Ideas
Go green! Recycle old t-shirts into new clothes for the whole family, bags, accessories, or home decor. This page has it all!
If you're anything like me, you collect t-shirts to mark events you've attended and to remind you of places you've visited.
The problem is, all those souvenir t-shirts you've accumulated from concerts, vacations, marathons, and the like can really start to take up space in your dresser drawer.
To remedy the solution, we've put together this handy page of 50+ Uses for Old T Shirts & T Shirt Reconstruction Ideas.
If you'd like to preserve those memories without completely destroying your tees, learn how to upcycle t shirts into a reusable grocery bag or a souvenir pillow, like this one. Or you can easily transform a perfectly good tee into a t-shirt dress.
You could also cover up rips or stains by embellishing them with ruffles, lace, or crochet details.
If you just have a bunch of shirts that don't really hold special meaning for you anymore, feel free to totally transform your tees using one of these craft ideas for old t-shirts.
We have plenty of DIY accessories and home decor projects for you to make with upcycled t-shirts.
Best of all, this collection features a whole section of tutorials for repurposing t-shirts into kids' clothing! Little ones grow up so fast, so it's nice knowing you can turn to any of these t-shirt crafts when they outgrow the clothes you just bought them a few months ago.
So, if you're wondering what to do with old t-shirts, you certainly don't want to miss the amazing and creative ideas we've found for you and your family below.
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Table of Contents
How to Upcycle T Shirts Into New Clothes
What's old is new again with these t shirt reconstruction tutorials! If you're wondering what to do with old t shirts besides tossing them in the trash or donating them, check out these patterns, projects, and ideas for how to upcycle t shirts into new clothes.
You'll never have to let your old, slightly worn tees go to waste again! Just salvage them with some of these old t shirt ideas. The options are endless with these recycled t shirt projects! You'll basically get a whole new wardrobe out of your existing wardrobe.
Easy 3 Step DIY Lace T-Shirt Refashion
With just a few minutes and a few basic tools, you can customize and personalize all the uninspiring t-shirts you have lying around.
Learn how to make a dress that's casual enough for an afternoon running errands, but can also be accessorized for a more formal occasion.
This long-sleeve t-shirt refashion is flattering on any body type. The extra-long body of the DIY shirt and the lovely collar are slimming and attractive.
Made using plain white men's tees, this trendy dress tutorial shows you how to stitch and sew a lightweight, figure-flattering dress that's perfect for spring or summer.
Make a One-Shoulder Ruffle Top from an Old T-Shirt
This tutorial creates a more feminine take on your basic shirt refashion. With this DIY, create a polished look you’ll be excited to wear all summer.
Ultimate T-Shirt Dress Tutorial
Take a $5 dollar t-shirt and upgrade it into a cute and easy dress with this beginner sewing project that we know you'll absolutely love.
Too-short shirts are not comfortable and no fun to wear, so combine two shirts into one with this simple refashion. A gathered faux second layer will lengthen the shirt, too.
This project magically turns an old t-shirt into an on-trend piece of DIY clothing. Plus, the silk chiffon panels and trim add a comfortable yet chic vibe.
Nautical Cardigan Refashion DIY
Turn an old navy t-shirt into a light summer cardigan with white grosgrain ribbon, double-fold bias tape, and gold nose buttons.
Utilizing the funky and fun color-blocking trend with cheap t-shirt reconstruction techniques, this tutorial will show you how to create your new favorite tee.
Take an ill-fitting knit top and turn it into a fabulous maxi dress. There's no need to buy new fabric when you want to learn how to make a long dress for summer.
Upcycled Lace Shoulder Top Tutorial
Want to give your old t-shirts a Bohemian update this year? Look lovely in lace at little cost and effort with this ingenious tutorial!
Add a simple skirt to your wardrobe without spending any money. Instead of throwing out your worn clothes, upcycle them into something fabulous.
Did you get an unflattering tee shirt that you need to wear for work or an event? Use this refashion tutorial to make it cuter and more flattering.
Take twenty minutes out of your day to learn how to refashion a t-shirt in an exciting way. This is the perfect t-shirt reconstruction project to add some feminine style.
Want an upcycling project that is both super easy and super cute? You only need an old t-shirt, thin leather, scissors, and fabric glue to complete it.
Are you a total refashionista? Check out 35 more ways to upgrade your old clothing into something new!35+ Refashioning Projects for Refashionistas
Repurposing T Shirts for Kids' Clothing
Kids grow out of their clothes so quickly. It can be expensive and time-consuming to purchase new clothing every year or even every month, depending on how fast they're growing. With these uses for old t shirts, you can keep reusing clothing that they've outgrown to create entirely new wardrobes for your kids or grandchildren.
It's so easy to take a worn or slightly too-small tee and turn it into a cute t-shirt dress for your little girl. Maybe you need to some ways to use old t shirts to create onesies or rompers for your baby so that you don't have to keep buying them every month. As the kids continue to grow, you'll definitely want to keep this list of t shirt reconstruction ideas handy.
Turn an old t-shirt and dress that no longer fits into an easy t-shirt dress by sewing them together. This diy t-shirt dress tutorial is simple, quick, too.
DIY Upcycled T-Shirt Dress for Girls
With this easy step-by-step tutorial, you will learn how to take old t-shirts and turn them into an adorable ruffle dress that is as comfy as it is cute!
Upcycle your old t-shirts into a cute and fun dress for your daughter. Through this tutorial, learn how to make a dress that is cheap, fast, and stylish.
This tutorial shows you how to convert half a yard of fabric and an old tee to make t-shirt dress patterns that look like they are store-bought.
Forget about making an uncomfortable tutu out of itchy tulle and instead make a charming and super soft tutu that your granddaughter will love.
This is a tutorial on how to upcycle a men's t-shirt or polo shirt into a pair of size 3 shorts or a skort. The post includes a free pattern that you can download and print.
Learn how to create a sweet and simple t-shirt dress with this easy walk-through that includes a printable PDF pattern.
This DIY makes it easy to create the perfect onesie for your active baby. No more waiting for them to grow into new clothes.
Give your plain t-shirt a gorgeous makeover with this easy refashion. This is a quick and easy sewing project, which can be done in as little as 15 minutes.
Striped Tee to Skirt Refashion
This little skirt is as easy and thrifty as can be. Your gal will love her brand new skirt, and you'll love how budget-friendly it is to expand your child's wardrobe.
Repurposing T Shirts Into Bags and Totes
One of the best ways to use old t-shirts is to turn them into reusable bags or totes. Making grocery bag patterns from upcycled t-shirts knocks out two birds with one stone: You're able to get rid of an old shirt and become more environmentally friendly with your new reusable market tote.
All of the t-shirt reconstruction ideas below are sure to be useful in your household, whether you use them for grocery shopping, for trick-or-treating, or as your go-to tote bag to carry around town.
Easy bags to make can be both affordable and space-saving, especially with this super simple tutorial.
Turn an old t-shirt into a reusable shopping, grocery, or toy bag in no time with this easy and quick no-sew tote bag tutorial.
This pattern is a charming and eco-friendly craft project that combines sewing 101 and macrame into one video tutorial.
20 Minute Upcycle: T-Shirt Grocery Bag
Here's another use for all those extra t-shirts! Save the environment and your dresser space at the same time.
If you want to be environmentally conscious with your easy sewing projects, this fabulous reusable produce bag sewing tutorial is for you!
Repurposed T Shirt Into Halloween Treat Bag
Transform old t-shirts into a treat bag for an eco-friendly way to trick or treat. This pattern is perfect for collecting candy on Halloween night.
See how to make a tote bag that's never going to be in stores. Fusible fabric and a cute free purse pattern to sew become a new tote bag that looks designer-inspired.
If you're environmentally conscious and hang your clothes to dry, consider making a clothespin bag from an old t-shirt. It can be completed in about 10 minutes.
Looking for more eco-friendly bags? All of the easy bag patterns and tutorials in this collection will help you make fabulous totes to take to the market or grocery store. Check it out:14+ Reusable Grocery Bag Patterns
Reusing T Shirts to Make Your Own Accessories
If you've never made a cool accessory out of an old shirt you no longer wear, now's your chance to do so with these t-shirt reconstruction tutorials! Who knew old tees could be put to use in so many different ways?
With the t-shirt crafts in this section, you can create a scarf, a headband, a cute apron pattern... even flip-flops! Spending a few hours repurposing t-shirts has never been a better use of your time.
If you have 15 minutes and have no idea what to do with your hair for the day, this upcycled shirt headband will save the day. Easy, fun, and fashionable!
T-shirt Infinity Scarf Refashion Tutorial
Cut up your old stained shirts, keeping only the salvageable parts, and piece them together again for a fun infinity scarf you'll love.
Braided, Wrapped, and Knotted Tie Dye T-Shirt Headbands
Tie-dying shirts is fun, but making them into headbands is even more of a blast! Learn how with this easy-to-follow tutorial.
This is a clever way to upcycle t-shirts. All you need is string and strips of t-shirt fabric to weave the bottoms of these slippers. No sewing is required, either!
This quick little craft helps you create a petite zippered pouch that's the perfect size to carry all your makeup essentials for a long day out on the town or a weekend trip.
When it comes to free sewing patterns for babies, nothing is more usable than a swaddler. It's so functional and costs practically nothing to make.
Refashioned T-Shirt Baby Mittens
These DIY mittens are so easy to make, and homemade mittens are the perfect solution to newborn fingernails that can cut and scratch.
Turn your old t-shirts into scarves with this free infinity scarf sewing pattern. You'll love having an infinity scarf in every color with this affordable tutorial.
Everyone has an excess of old T-shirts hanging around. Here's a good beginner sewing project that refashions your old rags into easy t-shirt aprons.
How to Repurpose Old T Shirts Into DIY Home Decor
Finally, get ready to give your home a makeover with these amazing uses for old t-shirts. Who knew you could make so many types of home decor pieces with a few easy recycled t-shirt projects?
Pillows, coasters, quilts... The possibilities are endless if you just take the time to peruse our craft ideas for old t-shirts. All these tutorials are such easy ways to transform old shirts that might've otherwise gone in the trash into something useful for your house.
Don't toss the tees that remind you of a certain time in your life. Instead, turn them into a unique and personal t-shirt quilt design that will keep you warm.
Make a DIY Christmas decoration that's eco-friendly with this pattern. Make stockings for your whole family this Christmas that are cute and unique.
Do you have a bunch of old concert or vacation tees that you can't bring yourself to get rid of? This is a great way to transform an unwearable shirt into a cute pillow.
Upcycled T-Shirt Into Stadium Cushion
Use this stadium seat pattern to turn an old t-shirt into a useful cushion you can bring to events. Stop sitting on cold bleachers and start cheering in comfort.
These coasters can be made using any old tees, so you can sew them in any number of color combinations to match the seasons and your sets of dishes.
DIY T-Shirt Reconstruction Pillowcases
Preserve your favorite sports team, event, school spirit, or vacation tee by creating these pillowcases. This is a quick and simple craft that will last a lifetime.
Make a pillow and eliminate all of those extra tee shirts at the same time with this pattern. You'll be surprised at how simple it is to learn how to make a pillow.
No Sew Tie Pillow Using a Shirt
What do you do when you have a bunch of oversized t-shirts? Make no sew tie pillows using them, that's what. This is the most fun you'll have making pillows.
Want More?
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What's the best thing you've ever made out of an old t-shirt?
Tell us in the comments below!