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How to Recycle T-Shirts

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Recycle T-Shirts

My husband loves T-shirts. My kids love T-shirts. We give T-shirts for Christmas presents. We get T-shirts for family reunions. We get T-shirts for Vacation Bible School, for mission trips, for working at the church food stand. We were teachers for 33 years. We have t-shirts for football, basketball, track and golf teams. We have T-shirts for running in fundraising projects. You get the picture. We are overrun with T-shirts. I decided we had to find a way to reuse, recycle and use up our t-shirts. Maybe you can find some ideas to help you.

Recycle T-shirts by Making a T-shirt Quilt

Recycle T-shirtGather the t-shirts. You need to have 12-20 t-shirts for a small lap blanket. I prefer 20 t-shirts because it ends up just the right size. 20 shirts will make a twin size quilt, approx. 64" x 82" - 4 across x 5 down.
Then cut off the sleeves, cut down the sides of the t-shirts and separate the back from the front.
If you want to use the back and front graphics , you can use both sides for squares.
Find a cardboard that measures about 13 inches square. Use this as a template to cut the shirts.
Cut all the shirts to that size.
Get Pellon or some sort of fusible interfacing from the fabric store and iron on the back of the t-shirt. This interfacing keeps the T-shirt from slipping.
Then pin the t-shirts together in a pattern you like and seam strips together.
Back with muslin or a sheet. Tie knots to keep the quilt together.

Use this tool to cut the T-shirts

Olfa Deluxe Rotary Cutter (60mm)

Olfa Deluxe Rotary Cutter (60mm)

Amazon Price: $16.50 (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

This has an ergonomic grip handle is easy on the hands. Cuts up to eight layers of fabric.

Choose a fabric for the backing of the T-shirt Quilt

PGM Muslin Fabric (10 yds)

PGM Muslin Fabric (10 yds)

Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Recycle T-shirts by making a pillow

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Recycle T-shirts by Making Wall Art

If you have concert t-shirts or sports t-shirts or just your favorite t-shirts, you can cut out the main graphic of the t-shirt. Then back the t-shirt with pellon and frame. I think teenagers and college students would love this! It would make a great gift!

More Ideas to Recycle T-Shirts

Fringe Scarf
This is a brilliant idea to recycle T-shirts. Just cut and fringe! Even Craft challenged people like me might be able to do this!
Hide Your Arms Blog
Wonderful blog on recycling T-shirts--Over 5 pages of ideas!

How to customise & recycle your old t-shirts
44'' Wide Pellon Interfacing Decor-Bond Fusible BY THE YARD White Fabric By The Yard

44'' Wide Pellon Interfacing Decor-Bond Fusible BY THE YARD White Fabric By The Yard

Amazon Price: (as of 06/01/2012)Buy Now

Iron on the Pellon to the T-shirt strips. The T-shirts are easy to cut and won't stretch! An absolute must!

Recycle T-shirt

You Can get more T-shirts Here:

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More Ideas to Recycle T-shirts

How about T-shirt dinner napkins. Again, cut 8-10 inch squares around the graphics. If you are good with the sewing machine, stitch around the edges to give a finished look. If you don't use a sewing machine, these could be hand sewn.

I have heard about people making skirts, and scarves out of t-shirts. The possibilities are endless. Just google t-shirt skirts, scarves and purses. Let your creative juices flow.

Gayle at a Glance

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Do you have any ideas about re-using or recycling t-shirts?

  • Sylvestermouse May 28, 2012 @ 5:41 pm | delete
    This is exactly the type of craft project I love, turning something old and otherwise useless into something wonderful! Most Excellent!
  • Timsmansmall Mar 21, 2012 @ 5:51 pm | delete
    Wow...some creative ideas here. I will let may pack rat wife know to put this to go use.
  • Teddi14 Mar 19, 2012 @ 11:54 am | delete
    I have a pile of shirts just waiting to do this!
  • cathywoodosborn Mar 15, 2012 @ 2:22 pm | delete
    And here I've just been using them for dust cloths. :-)
  • Funny_Beekeeper Mar 9, 2012 @ 1:57 pm | delete
    You could make all sorts of shopping bags or other bags using T-shirts. At least this is what my neighbour is doing lately, and she makes a lot of money selling these shopping bags. Might be a nice idea to start a business ;)
    Thumbs up for your lens ;)
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GayleMcLaughlin

I love to reuse, or repurpose things! I am definitely craft-challenged so this is not something that comes naturally to me! I actually made this t-s... more »

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