Do you like T-shirts? Even if you don’t, do you own a hundred of them? Do you have one
from every single event or organization you have ever been involved in in your life? Now, if you are following our blog you might be interested in downsizing, simplifying, and minimizing, so what do you do with all of these shirts? You need some t-shirt ideas!
This was my problem recently. I went through my closet, and did pretty well with it (in my opinion). Even weeks later it’s pretty easy to access. (win) I eliminated a lot of clothes that weren’t being worn. But I still have one problem: T-shirts.
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For some reason I have a hard time getting rid of t-shirts. I even told Robbie the other day that I didn’t know what I was going to do with my box of ‘memorable t-shirts’. (He laughed when I said memorable t-shirts). See, the thing with most t-shirts is that they were earned in some way. If you are a runner, it could represent a race that you ran. If you went to college you probably have some shirts from organizations you were involved in (sorority shirts anyone?) If you were in sports maybe you still have some of your old team shirts. All of these shirts have meaning and are hard to get rid of!
This is about half of the running shirts I have.
All of the shirts above and below have sentimental value. They represent soccer days and pony club days as a kid, as well as fun times at college – Stetson University, my time at Arabian Nights dinner show as a performer, and personal training days at Lifestyle Family Fitness (I don’t miss the alarm going off at 4:30am).
For the record, I tried on my soccer shirt from when I was in 3rd grade, and it fit! lol. Now I want to go dig through my closet and find my old soccer pictures.
I posted on Facebook that I needed some t-shirt ideas for repurposing my old shirts, and the overwhelming response was to make a blanket out of them. I have done this in the past (a friend made me one with all of our horse show shirts) and think it’s a great idea! But I was also excited to find some other t-shirt ideas that I could do with the old shirts. Something other than letting them sit in a box unused. (which is what they have been doing for the last few years.)
So here are 10 great t-shirt ideas for upcycling, repurposing, and reusing your old shirts.
1. No Sew T-Shirt Tote Bag
Check out this no sew tote bag by Mommypotamus. Tote bags have so many uses, from diaper bags, to grocery bags, to every day go-to-the park bags. I really loved that it only takes 10 minutes to do too. Check out her full tutorial HERE.
2. Baby Bibs
Oh my, these bibs are such a great idea! I might be a little emotional at the fact that we are no longer using bibs and will never see them again in our future (unless God has other plans). But, even if you don’t have a little one, these would make a great personalized gift for someone. Check out the full tutorial from Rebecca with Better Life Bags HERE.
3. DIY Workout Shirt
If you know me, you know that I have a passion for health and working out. This one was one of my favorite t-shirt ideas! I have been a personal trainer for the past 10 years and I love saving money so this DIY is one that I WILL be doing! Has anyone tried to make one like the one below from Catherine at Eat More Rabbit Food yet? Check out the full tutorial HERE if you want to try it.
4. Upcycled Pillow
Throw pillows are great to add some personality to a room or area. We like to have a couple in the living room that the kids lay on the floor and play with, and we will probably be bringing a couple with us in the camper as well. Shelly from Frugal Family Home has a great tutorial on how to do it very simply. Check it out HERE.
5. Fringe Skirt
I saw this one and immediately thought my girls would both love skirts like these. Ashley from the blog Make it & Love it created this ombre fringe skirt out of old t-shirts. Check out the full tutorial HERE.
6. Braided Belt
To be honest, I am not a huge belt person, or accessory person for that matter, but I do think these belts from Delia at Delia Creates are pretty cool! They are adjustable, soft, and you could make them any color or thickness you want. Check out her full how-to tutorial HERE.
7. Tank Tops
I know I already had one tank included on here, but while I am not much of an accessory person, I am definitely a tank top kind-a girl. I LIVE in tank tops. If it’s not a workout tank it’s an everyday casual one (probably from Old Navy). I see these on Pinterest and I have yet to try them. I would love to hear your experience with these types of shirts! (comment below). Check out this tank top tutorial from Crafter Hours Blog
8. No Sew T-Shirt Rug
A t-shirt RUG?! I had never heard of such a thing. But it’s really super cool! Another favorite of the t-shirt ideas that I found. And the best part is no two will ever be exactly alike. Well, they could I guess if you used all the same shirts, but it’s highly unlikely. Who would have though to make a rug out of used shirts? Well, Liz at Sew 4 Bub did, I am glad she did. I could make one of these for our new kitchen area in the camper. It would be really soft on the feet. Check out her video tutorial HERE.
9. T-Shirt Necklaces
These were kind of a new thing I stumbled upon. If you like accessories than it could be a fun and different way to express yourself. Linda at Craftaholics Anonymous put together these necklaces that are kind of a cross between a necklace and a scarf. I have a couple friends who wear scarves very well and could definitely see them wearing something like this! Check out her full tutorial HERE.
10. Swimsuit Coverup | Summer Dress
As much as I don’t love the water, I am often surrounded by it. My husband was basically born on the water, and now my kids love to play in it as well. We are always going to the lake, an ocean or a pool. (We do live in Florida so this can actually be year round) This is a great simple cover up that looks much more stylish than just a big baggy t-shirt. (I’m sure Robbie would appreciate the effort of the dress vs. the t-shirt ;)) Laura from Trash to Couture did a great job on this piece! Check out the full tutorial HERE. 
And of course I can’t forget the T-shirt quilt! This is what started the whole thing. Everyone needs a T-shirt quilt in their life. One, two, or maybe even three of them! Making one of these is going to be great to bring in the RV. Robbie loves to sleep with the air FrEeZiNg! I am always so cold and pile on a few blankets at night.
Check out the t-shirt blanket tutorial from Jess at Sweet Tea in the South HERE.
Those are some of the ones that I found that looked pretty cool and doable. I would love to hear any more t-shirt ideas you have! Some of these work great for solid shirts, and maybe aren’t so great for keeping the old print showing. I am definitely going to be making a tote, a quilt (well I will probably have my friend make the quilt), and a workout top with some of mine very soon.
If you are looking for more decluttering, minimizing, and simplifying tips, be sure to drop us your e-mail HERE. (We promise not to over-crowd your inbox.) And join the conversation and share your simplifying story in our Facebook group.
Maybe it’s not YOUR t-shirts that are the issue, maybe it’s the baby clothes you are hanging onto. Check out this awesome idea: Create Your Own Baby Clothes Quilt
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I want to hear from YOU!
Have you done any of these above projects? Do you have any others I should add to it? Comment below!
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