DIY: T-Shirt Makeover

Have you been using the KonMarie Method to clean out your closet? Do you have a favorite t-shirt that is old, stained or out of date? Does it bring you joy and you want to keep it even if it doesn’t fit. I have five kids so we have lots of t-shirts and sports Jerseys in our home. My kids are a little like me, a packrat/hoarder, so they never want to get rid of anything. I found some darling ways to do quick, fun t-shirt makeovers so you can keep the shirt and re-purpose it.

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T-shirt Quilt

This is my favorite way to preserve your shirts while turning them into something functional and useful. I made this quilt a few years ago for my husband from his shirts and it is definitely a treasured blanket in our home.

T-shirt quilts take a little more sewing skill and time, but they are totally worth it. Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks:

1. Use a lightweight stabilizer on the back of the t-shirt. This prevents it from stretching out while sewing and it helps to retain the shape you want. I recommend Pellon SF101
2. Getting them professionally quilted or doing it yourself is the best way to ensure the quilt will stay together and last a lifetime. I recommend the following quilters: TLC Machine Quilting and Confetti Quilts in Salt Lake, 801.599.9246
3. You don’t have to cut each piece exactly the same size. When you spend time laying out your shirts you can puzzle them together. It really makes a beautiful layout and each one will be unique.
4. If you need an exact size for cutting, see the photo below.

If you need a pattern to make the quilt you can use this one. My friend, Diane, from Confetti Quilts like to use this one. You use 21 shirts – best to use adult size shirts. I tried with kids and they are not quite large enough. I had to do a little sizing.

You can make darling hair bows or a ring. They are easy to make and you can use your Cricut Maker or by hand.

Cut 1″ circles you need about 15-20 per ring.

Cut 1/2″ circle out of felt.

Sew an elastic onto one side of the felt circle.

Hot glue the t-shirt circle onto the circle of felt until you like the look. You are done. See video tutorial

You can also make a ring. Instead of sewing an elastic to the felt circle. Cut a piece of the hemmed edge of the t-shirt to make a loop big enough to fit your desired finger. Hot glue into a circle and glue to bottom of felt.

Another option is to finger weave a bracelet. I learned how to finger weave when I was in 4th grade. I loved it and probably went through a dozen or so skeins of yarn weaving them into big long chains. I didn’t really know what to do with them other than make a big long chain. You can finger weave t-shirts too and make a super cute bracelet. You can mix and match colors and even use patterned t-shirts for a fun look. I have a video coming soon on how to finger weave. It’s easier than you think!

Thanks for stopping by, hope you’ll come back and see all the fun tutorials.

SookEe Designs