Transform Your Old T-Shirts: Creative Ways To Cover Up

There are many ways to cover a T-shirt, and it can be a fun and creative process. You can make a cushion cover, a beach cover-up, a swimsuit cover-up, or even a headscarf. All you need are some basic tools like scissors, fabric, and, in some cases, a sewing machine. With a bit of time and effort, you can transform a simple T-shirt into something new and stylish.

No-sew swimsuit cover-up

A no-sew swimsuit cover-up can be made in minutes with just a T-shirt and a pair of scissors. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Choose an oversized men's T-shirt or a women's T-shirt, preferably one size larger.
• Cut the finished edges off both arms and the bottom hem of the T-shirt.
• Cut up from the bottom of the shirt about 3 inches (7.6 cm) about every half inch (1.27 cm) across the shirt. Don't worry about being too precise—the cutting doesn't need to be exact.
• If you want to add some flair, you can slide beads onto the strips you've just created and tie a knot to secure them.
• Cut down the middle of the back of the shirt, deciding how low you want the back to be.
• Now you're ready to try it on! Wrap the cut-out section around your neck and tie the straps at the back.
• Finally, trim any excess material as desired, and you're ready to hit the beach!

T-shirt headscarf

T-shirt headscarves are useful and versatile, and they are especially gentle on sensitive skin. They can be used to cover your head, dry curly hair, or keep your hair dry. Here is how to make and wear a T-shirt headscarf:

Making the Headscarf

Start by cutting a straight line across your T-shirt, from the bottom of one armhole to the bottom of the other. Discard the top portion of the shirt or keep it for another project. You can use a fabric bonding agent to make the edges less frayed and fold them into each other.

Option A – Twist & Wrap

Drape the lower portion of the shirt over your head, placing the finished seam along your forehead. Gather the excess fabric together at the back of your head and twist it to keep it in place. Finally, pull the excess fabric back over the top of your head so that it wraps around your forehead and stays in place.

Option B – The “Plop”

This method is ideal for wrapping up curly hair after applying products. First, place your T-shirt headscarf on a flat surface and push back the top layer of fabric to expose the inside of the shirt, keeping the bottom layer flat. Then, bend over so that your wet hair is upside down, and place your hair on top of the shirt so that it piles up on the inside. Grab the top layer and pull it up and over the back of your head, then grab the bottom layer as you stand up so that your hair stays inside the shirt. Finally, gather the fabric at the back of your head, twist it around, and pull the excess fabric back over the top of your head to secure the headscarf.

No-sew, no-cut T-shirt wrap

Step 1: Choose Your T-shirt

Select a T-shirt that you no longer want to wear as-is. It can be a plain T-shirt or one with a fun graphic or print. Consider the size; an oversized T-shirt can be transformed into a cute cover-up, while a T-shirt that's too snug can be made more comfortable by trimming the sleeves and neckline.

Step 2: Prepare Your Work Area

Lay your T-shirt out on a flat surface, such as a table or a clean floor. Make sure the surface is smooth and free of wrinkles. Gather a fabric marker or chalk, a ruler or measuring tape, and a decent pair of scissors. Fabric shears are ideal, but any sharp scissors will do.

Step 3: Mark and Cut the Sleeves

Put on the T-shirt and mark with the fabric marker or chalk where you want the sleeves to end. Take off the T-shirt and lay it flat again. Match up the side seams and hold your scissors at a 90-degree angle as you start cutting. Cut along the sleeve's hem, removing the stitching and extra length. You can also cut right along the shoulder seam, removing the seam along with your sleeve. Give the sleeve a little tug to gently stretch it, and it will curl up, hiding any imperfections.

Step 4: Modify the Neckline (Optional)

If you want to open up the neckline a bit, turn the T-shirt inside out and cut along the neckband, removing it and the tag. This will instantly create a more open neckline while still covering bra straps. Follow the neckband and cut over the crossover shoulder-to-neck seams; the ribbed neckband will guide you, and the seams won't unravel. Give the opening a tug so that the edges curl under.

Step 5: Create a Custom Fit (Optional)

If you want to further customise the fit, put the T-shirt back on with any undergarments you plan to wear with it. Check yourself out in the mirror and decide if you want a wider neckline, a scoop neck, or a V-neck. Mark the desired shape with chalk or soap, imagining you're cutting a thin slice of pie, then cut along the outside of your mark. Tug the fabric to curl the edges, try it on again, and make adjustments as needed.

Step 6: Accessorise

Your no-sew, no-cut T-shirt wrap is now complete! Style it with your favourite accessories, such as a statement necklace or a fun scarf. You can also knot the bottom hem of the T-shirt to create a different look. Enjoy your new fashion creation!

T-shirt cushion cover

Upcycling old T-shirts into cushion covers is a great way to give new life to old items. It's a simple process that only requires basic sewing skills and a few tools. Here's a step-by-step guide to making a T-shirt cushion cover:

Step 1: Prepare the T-shirt

Start by laying your chosen T-shirt flat on a table or another hard surface. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases to ensure the fabric is even. If you're using a new T-shirt, you might want to wash and iron it first.

Step 2: Cut the T-shirt

Use sharp scissors to cut along the sides of the T-shirt, removing the sleeves and neck lining. You can also cut off the bottom and top sections, depending on the desired size of your cushion cover. It's important to cut straight lines to make sewing easier later on.

Step 3: Measure and Mark

Measure the size of your cushion insert and mark the T-shirt fabric accordingly. For the front panel, use chalk to draw a square that is slightly smaller than the size of your cushion insert. This will ensure a snug fit. Add a seam allowance of about 1.5 cm around the square.

Step 4: Cut the Front and Back Panels

Cut out the front panel along the chalk lines. For the back panels, cut a strip from the remaining fabric that is the same width as the front panel. Then, cut this strip into two overlapping pieces, each about 2/3 the length of the front panel. You can use the original hem for one piece, and for the other, create a new hem by folding and stitching one of the long sides.

Step 5: Sew the Panels Together

Place the front panel right-side up and lay the two back panels on top, right-sides down, lining up the top and bottom edges. Pin the pieces in place and sew around the edges with a straight stitch, backstitching at the beginning and end for reinforcement.

Step 6: Turn and Insert Cushion

Turn the cover right-side out and insert your cushion. Your T-shirt cushion cover is now complete!

Variations and Tips:

• If your T-shirt has a print or design you want to showcase, ensure it is centred when drawing the front panel.
• For a no-sew option, consider using fabric glue or a fabric adhesive suitable for the T-shirt material.
• Get creative with your closures: you can use buttons, zippers, or even add a flap for an envelope-style closure.
• Experiment with different T-shirt sizes and cushion insert sizes to create a variety of cushion shapes and sizes.
• If you're feeling adventurous, combine multiple T-shirts or add additional fabric for a unique, patchwork design.
• Remember to consider the placement of any existing seams, buttons, or designs on the T-shirt when cutting and sewing to ensure a neat finish.

With these steps and tips, you can easily transform your old T-shirts into stylish and comfortable cushion covers.

Braided strap T-shirt dress

To make a braided strap T-shirt dress, you will need a knit T-shirt (preferably jersey knit for more stretch) or some knit fabric from your stash. You can also use an old T-shirt and use the bottom hem as the bottom hem of your dress. Keep in mind that jersey knit stretches more and is softer than regular T-shirts.

First, cut off the collar and sleeves of the T-shirt. Then, cut the fabric straight across the top neckline. Make sure to cut the dress pieces wide enough so that you can gather the fabric to create fullness for the dress. For the armholes, cut a curve as shown in the tutorial.

Gather the top of the dress as mentioned in the tutorial, but instead of a curved line, create a straight line at the top. Sew the two dress pieces together at the sides. For the back piece, cut off about 2 inches (or more, depending on the size) from the top and gather and finish it in the same way. The front piece should now be taller than the back piece.

Create four long 3-strand braids out of knit fabric, making sure to cut the fabric along the stretch so the braids can stretch a bit. Attach the four braids to the front of the dress, placing two on each side slightly separated. Secure the raw ends of the braids on the inside of the dress with two seams.

Turn the dress over and attach the outside straps by measuring them on the person who will be wearing the dress. Cross the two inner straps in the back and secure them at an angle. Slip the dress over the head, and it's ready to wear!

Frequently asked questions