The Art Of Folding T-Shirts: A Step-By-Step Guide

Folding T-shirts is a useful skill to have when you need to save space in your dresser or suitcase. There are several ways to fold a T-shirt, depending on the situation. For example, you can use a basic fold, an Army roll, or the pinch method. Each method involves a series of steps to ensure your T-shirts are folded neatly and efficiently.

Folding a T-shirt for storage

There are many ways to fold a t-shirt, and it's a skill that takes practice to refine. Here is a detailed guide on how to fold a t-shirt for storage, including the popular KonMari method.

The Standard Way

• Lay the t-shirt flat and face up.
• Fold it in half vertically, bringing the sleeves together.
• Fold the t-shirt in half horizontally, tucking the sleeves inside.
• Fold it in half once or twice more, depending on the desired size.

The KonMari Way

• Fold one side of the shirt across the centre.
• Fold the opposite side of the shirt the same way, stopping a little before the edge, to form a rectangle.
• Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise to reinforce the shirt's shape.
• Fold the shirt again in half or in thirds. For an extra-long shirt, you might need to fold it four or five times.
• Stand the folded shirt upright on a table. If it stays standing, you've mastered the KonMari method!

The Quick Fold Method

• Lay the shirt out flat.
• Pinch between the shoulder seam and collar with your left hand.
• Pinch at the same point, but halfway down the body of the shirt with your right hand.
• Take the pinched fabric in your left hand and move it down to the bottom hem of the shirt, parallel to the point that is still pinched with your right hand.
• Uncross your arms by lifting the shirt in the air and give it a little shake to smooth out the material, but maintain your grasp.
• Fold the loose sleeve in.
• Fold this rectangle of fabric in half.
• You can fold the shirt in half again to make it even smaller.

The Army Roll (Ranger Roll)

• Lay the t-shirt on a smooth surface, ensuring it is flat.
• Fold the bottom hem inside out to create about a three-inch pocket. Make sure the corners are smooth and flat, and both the front and back of the shirt are folded upward equally.
• Fold one side of the shirt about a third of the way towards the centre and lay the sleeve back over the folded fabric.
• Fold the other side of the shirt the same way, but this time bring it over the part folded in the last step.
• Roll the shirt from the collar down.
• Stretch the fabric of the pocket tightly over the rolled shirt into the downward-facing pocket.

The Burrito Roll

This is similar to the Ranger Roll but without step 2 of that method.

• Lay the t-shirt out on a flat space, ensuring it is flush with the surface.
• Fold one side of the shirt about a third of the way towards the centre and lay the sleeve back over the folded fabric.
• Fold the other side of the shirt the same way, but this time bring it over the part folded in the last step.
• Roll the shirt from the collar down until you meet the bottom hem and have a complete burrito roll.

Tips

• No method is the "best way". It depends on your clothes, your space, and your personal preference.
• If you're travelling, rolling shirts might be the best option to pack a lot of clothes into a small space.
• To save space in your drawers, fold your t-shirts into a rectangle or square shape and then file them on their side, almost like file folders.

Using the pinch method

The pinch method is a quick and easy way to fold a T-shirt. It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but once you've mastered it, you'll be able to fold your T-shirts in no time! Here's a step-by-step guide to using the pinch method:

Step 1: Lay the Shirt Flat

Start by spreading the T-shirt on a flat surface with the front side facing up. Position yourself so that the neck of the shirt is on your right and the bottom of the shirt is on your left.

Step 2: Identify the Midpoint

Imagine a line running from the middle of the shoulder, between the neck and the sleeve, down to the bottom of the shirt. Use your left hand to pinch the midpoint of this imaginary line, making sure to pinch both the front and back fabric of the shirt.

Step 3: Pinch the Shoulder

With your right hand, pinch the end of the imaginary line at the shoulder, still pinching both layers of fabric. Keep your left hand in place while you do this.

Step 4: Move Your Right Hand to the Bottom

Now, move your right hand in a straight line across your left hand to the bottom of the T-shirt. Your arms should be crossed, with your right arm over your left.

Step 5: Pinch the Bottom

With your right hand, pinch the fabric at the bottom of the T-shirt, along with the shoulder fabric you're already pinching. Again, make sure to pinch both the front and back layers.

Step 6: Uncross Your Hands

Keep a firm grip on your pinches and uncross your hands by lifting the shirt off the surface. This step can be a bit tricky, so pay attention to your hand movement. Move your left hand through the two folds of the shirt hanging from your right hand.

Step 7: Lower the Shirt

Finish the fold by lowering the shirt over the loose sleeve. You should now have a neatly folded rectangle with the sleeve tucked underneath. If needed, you can adjust the sleeve by tucking it under the shirt.

With a little practice, you'll be able to fold your T-shirts like a pro using the pinch method! It's a handy technique to have in your arsenal, especially when you need to fold a large pile of laundry quickly and efficiently.

Folding a T-shirt for packing

There are several ways to fold a T-shirt for packing, depending on your preferences and how much space you have in your luggage. Here are four methods to help you pack efficiently and avoid wrinkles.

Method 1: Compact Fold

• Start with the T-shirt on a flat surface, with the front facing down. This way, if the T-shirt has a design or logo, you will see it when you're done folding.
• Fold in one of the sleeves, then fold in the other sleeve, so you have a long rectangle.
• Fold the collar of your shirt down to the hem.
• Fold the T-shirt in half again to make it smaller. You can stop here if you want to stack the T-shirts flat in your suitcase.
• For a more compact fold, fold the T-shirt in half again. You can repeat this step as needed, but keep in mind that the more you fold your T-shirt, the thicker it will become.
• Line up several T-shirts folded in this way vertically in your suitcase to save space and see them all at once.

Method 2: Rolling

• Lay the T-shirt on a flat, horizontal surface.
• Roll up 2 to 5 inches (5.1 to 12.7 cm) of the bottom hem of your T-shirt. This will create a "pocket" for the rest of the shirt to fit into.
• Fold in one-third of the shirt and fold the sleeve back towards the edge.
• Repeat on the other side.
• Roll the T-shirt from the collar towards the pocket and tuck it in.
• The tighter you roll your T-shirt, the more compact it will be.

Method 3: Bundling

• Stack multiple T-shirts on top of each other. The larger the stack, the fewer creases there will be in the middle and lower layers.
• Place a piece of swimwear, underwear, or socks on top of the stack to avoid creases.
• Fold the top T-shirt around the top layer of clothing. Fold one sleeve over, then the other, and finally, fold the bottom of the T-shirt up to the collar.
• Repeat this folding method for each T-shirt, layer by layer, until you reach the bottom layer.

Method 4: Simple Fold for Packing

• Spread the shirt out on a flat surface with the front facing you.
• Tuck the sleeves back behind the shirt.
• Fold the shirt into thirds horizontally.
• Bring the neckline down about an inch from the bottom of the shirt.
• Fold the shirt into thirds vertically.

File-folding a T-shirt

• Start by laying the T-shirt out flat, with the front side facing up.
• Fold one side of the shirt across the centre.
• Fold the sleeve of the shirt back.
• Fold the other side of the shirt across the centre, stopping a little before the edge.
• Fold the other sleeve back.
• Fold the top of the shirt towards the bottom, stopping a little before the edge.
• Fold the folded edge of the shirt over towards the bottom.
• Fold the shirt once more to create a small rectangle.
• Stand the shirt upright in your drawer.

By file-folding your T-shirts, you can save space, prevent wrinkles, and express gratitude for the items that bring you joy.

Square-folding a T-shirt

Step 1:

Lay the T-shirt on a flat surface with the front side facing up. If your T-shirt has an image or design, make sure it is facing up so you can see it when the shirt is folded.

Step 2:

Smooth out the fabric to remove any wrinkles. Pull the sleeves out and tug on the collar and hem to ensure the shirt is laid flat on the surface. You can also choose to iron the shirt before folding it to eliminate any creases.

Step 3:

Pinch the right and left sides of the shirt, under the armpits, and fold it in half horizontally. Make sure the sides are lined up neatly and the fold is crisp.

Step 4:

Fold the shirt in half again, this time vertically. You should now have a rectangle shape.

Step 5:

Take the bottom of the shirt and fold it upwards towards the middle. The bottom edge of the shirt should now be lined up with the neckline.

Step 6:

Fold the shirt one more time, bringing the bottom edge up to the top. This final fold will create a neat square shape.

And there you have it! A perfectly square-folded T-shirt. You can now easily store your T-shirts in drawers or baskets, filing them like folders so you can see everything at a glance.

Frequently asked questions