Folding T-Shirts: Standing Up Straight And Neatly Stacked

There are several ways to fold a T-shirt so that it stands up, and they all involve multiple folds. One method is to lay the T-shirt flat, face down, and then fold it in half from left to right. Next, fold the sleeves towards the middle, and then fold the shirt in half from bottom to top. You can then flip the shirt over, and it will be ready to stand up in your drawer. Another method is to fold the T-shirt into a rectangle or square shape, and then file it on its side in your drawer.

Basic fold: lay the shirt face down, fold in half, then fold sleeves and in half again

To fold a t-shirt so that it stands up, you can try the basic fold. This is a simple and well-known method that works for both storage and travel. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Lay the t-shirt flat with the front side facing down on a table, bed, or any other flat surface. Ensure there is enough room to manoeuvre the shirt.
• Smooth out any wrinkles in the fabric. Remove any creases by running your hands over the surface of the shirt or use an iron if necessary.
• Fold the shirt in half vertically from left to right, bringing one sleeve across to meet the other. Line up all the edges to make a neat fold.
• Bring both sleeves in towards the middle of the shirt. Fold them into the centre, creating a crease to prevent wrinkles and keep the shirt flat.
• Fold the shirt in half again horizontally, bringing the top of the shirt down to meet the bottom. Smooth out any creases with your hands.
• (Optional) For an even more compact fold, fold the shirt in half horizontally once more.
• Stack your t-shirts vertically in your drawer with the collars facing up. This saves space and allows you to easily identify each shirt.

This basic fold is quick and easy to do and will help you organise your wardrobe or pack for travel efficiently.

File fold: fold into a rectangle or square, then file shirts on their side

File folding your t-shirts is a great way to save space and keep your drawers organised. This method allows you to stack your t-shirts vertically, rather than piling them on top of each other. Here is a step-by-step guide:

First, lay your t-shirt flat on a surface with the back facing you. Smooth out any creases and wrinkles. Next, fold the right side of the shirt into the middle, horizontally. Then, repeat this step with the left side, so that the left side meets the right side of the shirt. Now, fold the shirt in half horizontally, so that the two ends meet. Finally, fold the shirt into thirds horizontally. You should now have a neat rectangle or square shape.

Repeat this process with all your t-shirts, and then stack them vertically in your drawer. This method will save space and also makes it easy to find the t-shirt you are looking for. You can also use this method to organise kids' clothing drawers. It is a simple and effective way to keep your t-shirts neat and tidy.

Rolling: roll shirts and place in drawers

Rolling is one of the most effective ways to prevent your clothes from getting wrinkled. It also saves space and makes it easier to find the shirt you want when you're getting dressed in the morning. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to roll your shirts and place them in drawers:

• Spread the shirt out on a flat surface with the front facing you.
• Fold the right side of the shirt in towards the middle vertically.
• Fold the left side of the shirt in towards the middle vertically.
• Roll the shirt from top to bottom. Stop rolling about 10 inches from the bottom hem.
• Fold the bottom hem section back and around the shirt so it tucks over the rolled section.
• Place the rolled shirts in your drawers.

You can also try the Army Roll method, which is a great way to fold a T-shirt into a tight, compact roll that takes up minimal space. Here's how:

• Lay the shirt face up on a flat surface.
• Bring the bottom of the shirt up about 3–4 inches (7.6–10.2 cm). Tuck the bottom of the T-shirt up and use your fingers to make a crease in the small fold.
• Form a cuff with the bottom of the shirt.
• Fold the shirt into thirds starting on the left side. Bring the left side in towards the centre of the shirt, lining it up with the centre line of the shirt. Then, tuck back the sleeve so that it also lines up with the edge of the shirt.
• Take the right side of the shirt and fold it in towards the centre. Place it on top of the left side so that it overlaps, and line up the edges. Then, fold the sleeve back so it's in line with the edge.
• The T-shirt should look like one long rectangle.
• Start rolling the shirt at the collar. Roll the T-shirt at the collar and roll it down towards the bottom until it’s fully rolled up. Keep the roll as tight as you can so it takes up less space.
• Tuck the rolled shirt into the fold at the bottom. Unroll the cuff that you formed at the bottom of the T-shirt and tuck the rolled shirt into itself. Fold the cuff over the roll tightly so it’s secure and won’t come undone.

The pinch method: lay the shirt sideways, pinch three points, then fold

The pinch method is a quick and easy way to fold your T-shirts. It takes a little practice to perfect, but once you've got it down, it's the fastest way to fold your T-shirts.

To start, lay your T-shirt sideways on a flat surface, with the collar to your right. Smooth out any creases with your hands. Imagine two lines on the T-shirt: one running across the middle, and one running from the top to the bottom, between the collar and the sleeve. Where these lines intersect is point A. Point B is at the top of the shirt, between the collar and the sleeve, and point C is at the bottom of the shirt, where the line from point B ends.

Now, pinch point A with your left hand and point B with your right hand, making sure you're pinching through both layers of the fabric. Bring point B down to meet point C, crossing your arms as you do so. Uncross your arms, keeping hold of points B and C, and you'll have a folded T-shirt! You may need to make some minor adjustments to line up the edges of the shirt.

You can then fold the shirt in half again to make it more compact.

The army roll: fold the bottom up, fold into thirds, then roll from the collar

The army roll, also known as the ranger roll, is a space-saving and wrinkle-resistant technique for folding a T-shirt. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Lay the T-Shirt on a Flat Surface

Place the T-shirt on a clean, flat, and hard surface, such as a table or a hardwood floor. Make sure the front side of the shirt is facing up. Smooth out any wrinkles or creases with your hands.

Step 2: Fold the Bottom Up

Fold the bottom hem of the T-shirt inside out by about 3 inches (7-8 cm). You can do this by placing your thumbs inside the bottom sides of the shirt, creasing it, and then folding it over itself. This will create a cuff or a beanie-like pocket at the bottom of the shirt. Ensure that the fold is straight and smooth, both from the front and the back, and that it is level throughout.

Step 3: Fold Into Thirds

Fold the T-shirt vertically into thirds. First, fold one side of the shirt about one-third of the way towards the centre, close to the collar, and lay the sleeve back over the folded fabric. Then, fold the other side of the shirt in the same way, bringing it over the previous fold. Your shirt should now be about 6 inches (15 cm) wide and ready for rolling.

Step 4: Roll From the Collar

Starting at the collar, roll the shirt tightly towards the folded bottom pocket. Keep the roll as tight and compact as possible, as this will help save space. When you reach the bottom, continue rolling over the pocket, not into it.

Step 5: Tuck the Pocket

Now, flip the roll over so that you can see the backside of the pocket. Take this backside of the pocket and roll it inside out on top of the roll, pulling it tight to secure the shirt.

And there you have it! A perfectly rolled T-shirt using the army roll technique. This method is excellent for saving space in your luggage or drawers and can also help to keep your clothes wrinkle-free.

Frequently asked questions