15 Creative Ways to Upcycle Old T-Shirts

When your shirts have hit their expiration date, breathe new life into them with these fun DIYs.

By: Ryan Reed and Shannon Phillips

Show: HGTV Handmade

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Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

©Jess Abbott

Photo By: Susan Teare ©Joanne Palmisano

Photo By: Photo by Sam Henderson

Photo By: Rennai Hoefer

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Andy Vinson

Photo By: Jalynn Baker

Photo By: Cassidy Garcia

Photo By: Jennie Andrews

Rug

Get out your hot glue gun and dress up a plan doormat with colorful T-shirt fabric knots.

Get the How-to: How to Make a Recycled T-Shirt Rug

From: Michelle Edgemont

Braided Rug

Braided rugs are timeless, and you can make your own in half the time the traditional method takes by using simple braids and a sewing machine.

Produce Bags

These lightweight produce bags are just what you need for gathering a harvest from the garden or the farmer's market. If you're not handy with a sewing machine, we've got two no-sew methods to make them.

Get the How-To: Recycled T-Shirt Produce Bags

Reusable Bag

No trip to the farmer's market is complete without a reusable bag and you can create your own with an old T-shirt, a pair of scissors and a strip of washi tape.

Get the How-To: 3 No-Sew Ways to Upcycle Your Old T-Shirts

Hanging Planter

Turn old T-shirts into yarn, then craft up this cute hanging planter for terra-cotta pots.

Boot Socks

Have a surplus of long-sleeved tees? Cut off the sleeves and transform them into cute boot socks. We embellished ours with buttons, lace, sequins and bows.

Throw Pillows

Some T-shirts have sentimental value, so you may be hesistant to completely cut them up even if you no longer wear them. Instead, turn them into decorative throw pillows that you can display at all times. It's better than hiding them in a drawer!

Headboard

Perfect for a child's bedroom, this colorful collage headboard can showcase old sports jerseys, camp shirts and other items the kiddos have outgrown.

Natural Tie Dye

Maybe you have a tee that's in pretty good shape but has a stubborn stain that can't be removed. Using berries, beets, onion skins and other fruits and veggies, you can make natural dyes to conceal your shirt's imperfections.

Get the How-To: Make Tie Dye With Fruit and Vegetables

Custom Jersey

Buying a jersey at the game can be expensive. Instead, create your own custom jersey complete with your team's colors and your favorite player's number. We even provided a few printables to make the process even easier.

Get the How-to: How to Make a Custom Jersey Number Tee

Stylish Headband

Stretch two thin strips of fabric to make T-shirt yarn and then join them together with a sailor's knot to make a chic headband.

Get the How-To: 3 No-Sew Ways to Upcycle Your Old T-Shirts

DIY Cat Condo

Keep your feline friends busy for hours by building the ultimate sensory playground. Use a stool as the base and add interactive features for them swat around using brushes, twine and old T-shirts.

Get the How-to: Turn a Step Stool Into a Sensory Playground for Cats

Cozy Cat Hideout

Every kitty needs a stylish hideout to call their own. Instead of buying an expensive plastic house from the pet store, create a T-shirt tent for them to enjoy using a few simple materials.

Get the How-to: T-Shirt Turned Cozy Cat Hideout

Drawstring Pouch

Upcycle the sleeve of a shirt into a handy drawstring pouch perfect for traveling or running errands. No sewing required!

Get the How-To: 3 No-Sew Ways to Upcycle Your Old T-Shirts

Halloween Costume

Some of the best Halloween costumes are also the most simple. Whether you get a last-minute invite or forgot to pick up a costume, we have just what you need to turn a T-shirt into a spooky skeleton, mad scientist or a bar of soap.

Get the How-to: 5 Easy Halloween Costumes You Can Make With a T-Shirt

15 Creative Ways to Upcycle Old T-Shirts

Related To:

Shop This Look

Rug

Braided Rug

Produce Bags

Reusable Bag

Hanging Planter

Boot Socks

Throw Pillows

Headboard

Natural Tie Dye

Custom Jersey

Stylish Headband

DIY Cat Condo

Cozy Cat Hideout

Drawstring Pouch

Halloween Costume

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