Transform Old T-Shirts Into Colorful Scarves

Scarves are a great accessory to have, and you can never have too many. If you're looking to make your own scarf, why not try making one out of an old T-shirt? It's a fun, creative, and affordable way to recycle your old clothes and turn them into something new and wearable. You can cut up your T-shirts and sew the pieces together, or even braid them, to create a unique and colourful scarf. You can also add decorative buttons, zippers, or a bit of lace to jazz it up. So go ahead and raid your closet for some old T-shirts and get crafting!

Braiding scraps and decorating with a brooch

To make a braided scarf from old T-shirts, you will need two large T-shirts in different colours, a sewing machine or needle and thread, scissors, and a tailoring meter.

First, cut each T-shirt along the sides to create an open rectangle of fabric. Fold each rectangle lengthwise and sew along the long part. Repeat this process for the other piece of fabric. Then, reach your arm inside each rectangle and turn them right-side out, resulting in two long tubes of fabric.

Now, you are ready to start braiding. After you have braided the fabric, lay out your finished knot into an X shape. Match up the top tails of the X (one from each side/colour), bringing the raw circular ends together. Before matching the ends, you can add a few twists to each individual tube for a more dynamic look. Finally, unite the ends of each pair of tails.

To decorate your braided scarf with a brooch, simply slide the brooch onto one of the twists in the scarf and fasten it. You can also try braiding the scarf around the brooch for a more secure fit. Play around with different brooch placements until you find the look that you like best.

Sewing together squares of fabric

To make a scarf from old T-shirts, you will need to cut out squares of fabric and sew them together. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Cutting the Fabric:

• Cut out 8 squares for an adult-sized scarf or 6 squares for a child-sized scarf. Each square should be approximately 11 inches by 11 inches. You can use old T-shirts, pajama pants, or any other stretchy knit fabric.
• Lay out the squares in the pattern you want for your finished scarf. For example, you can create a checkerboard pattern or alternate different colours.

Sewing the Squares Together:

• Sew each row of squares together first. Use a sewing machine or a serger to create two long rectangles.
• Place one long rectangle on top of the other, with the right sides of the fabric facing together. Sew down the two longest sides to connect the pieces, forming a long tube.
• Attach a safety pin to each corner of one end of the tube. These will be used as markers.
• Take one of the safety-pinned corners and guide it into the centre of the tube, effectively folding the scarf in half, but inside out.
• Continue guiding the safety pin through the tube until it reaches the other side. Straighten out the edges so that the seams align.
• Sew the two open edges together, leaving a small 2-inch gap. This gap will be used to turn the scarf right side out.
• Reach through the gap and pull the scarf back through so that the correct sides of the fabric are showing.
• Use a needle and thread to stitch the gap closed.

Now your scarf is ready to wear! You can experiment with different colours, patterns, and sizes of squares to create unique and personalised scarves.

Sewing together strips of fabric

To sew together strips of fabric for your scarf, you will first need to cut a bunch of identical squares from your old T-shirts. For an adult-sized scarf, you will need eight squares, and for a child-sized scarf, you will need six squares. Lay out the squares in the pattern you want the finished scarf to be, in two rows of four. Sew each row of four together using a sewing machine or a serger, creating two long rectangles.

Lay one of the long rectangles on top of the other, with the right sides of the fabric together. Sew down the two longest sides to connect the pieces, forming a long tube. You will then need two safety pins for the next step, which will act as markers. Attach one safety pin to each corner, ensuring they are on opposite corners. Take one of the safety-pinned corners and turn it into the centre of the tube. Guide the safety pin all the way through to the other side. Once the safety pin has reached the other side, the scarf will be folded in half but inside out. Shift the edges of each side until the two safety pins are together, then straighten out the seams so they align.

At this point, the scarf will look like it is folded in half but is actually twisted inside. Sew all the way around the two open edges, sewing them together, but leave a small gap of around 2 inches so that you can turn the scarf right side out. Reach through the small gap and pull the scarf back through so that the correct sides of the fabric are showing. Finally, use a needle and thread to stitch the hole closed.

Cutting fabric into circles and sewing them together

To make a scarf from an old T-shirt, you can cut the fabric into circles and sew them together. Here's a step-by-step guide:

Cutting the Fabric Circles:

• First, decide on the desired diameter of your circles. The diameter is the width of the circle, measured across the widest point.
• Determine the radius of the circle, which is half the diameter. For example, if you want a circle with a 10-inch diameter, the radius will be 5 inches.
• Fold your T-shirt fabric into quarters. Make sure each side is at least as long as the radius of the circle you want to cut.
• Iron the creases to create sharp, crisp folds, which will help you achieve a more precise circle.
• Using a tape measure, mark out the radius along the fabric, starting from the corner of the single fold. Make multiple marks to ensure a more accurate circle.
• Connect all your marks to form an arc. You can also try to eyeball it if you're confident in your freehand skills.
• Pin all the layers of the fabric together near the edge, ensuring everything is smooth and even.
• Cut along the marked arc, following the curve precisely. Pinning the layers together before cutting will help prevent any slippage and create a neater circle.
• Unfold your fabric, and you'll have a perfectly cut circle! If desired, you can iron out the creases.

Sewing the Circles Together:

• Cut multiple circles using the above method. You will need several circles to create a scarf of decent length.
• Place two circles together, with their right sides (the sides you want to be visible) facing each other.
• Sew the circles together along their edges, using a sewing machine or hand-stitching. Leave a small gap of about 3-4 inches, which will be used for turning the scarf right-side out.
• Continue sewing circles together in this manner until you have used all your fabric circles.
• Once you have a long chain of circles, fold the scarf in half lengthwise, with the right sides facing each other.
• Sew along the long open edge, again leaving a small gap for turning.
• Reach through the gap and pull the scarf right-side out. This will hide the raw edges inside the scarf.
• Stitch the openings closed by hand, using a needle and thread.

And there you have it! A unique scarf made from old T-shirt circles. Feel free to experiment with different colours and sizes of circles to create a truly one-of-a-kind accessory.

Using lace as an element

Lace is back in fashion and can be a great element to include in your next scarf project. You can use it to add a decorative touch to a scarf made from an old T-shirt. Here are some ways you can incorporate lace into your DIY scarf:

Using a Lace Tablecloth

You can create an infinity scarf by cutting the body off a T-shirt in a straight line under the armpits. This will leave you with a loop of fabric that is hemmed on one side. To add more fabric and a lacy touch, cut a strip of lace from a tablecloth. Cut along one of the side seams of the T-shirt fabric to turn the loop into a strip. Measure the width of this strip and cut a strip of lace that is the same width and anywhere from one-third to two-thirds the length of the original strip, depending on how much lace you want and how long you like your scarves. Pin the right sides of the ends of the T-shirt and lace fabric together, creating a loop again. Align the hemmed edge of the lace with the bottom hem of the T-shirt and stitch the pieces together using a zigzag stitch or a serger. Fold the seam allowance under the T-shirt side and topstitch it down so it won't be visible through the lace. Finally, hem the raw lace/shirt edge.

Adding a Lace Trim

If you want to add a subtle touch of lace to your T-shirt scarf, consider using it as a trim. You can sandwich the lace trim between the two layers of T-shirt fabric when sewing the long sides of the scarf. Make sure that only the part of the trim you want to be visible (such as pompoms) is hidden inside between the layers of fabric. This way, the lace will peek out from between the layers and add a delicate accent to your scarf.

Combining Lace with Other Fabrics

You can also combine lace with other fabrics to create a unique scarf. For example, you can cut up a T-shirt and piece it together with lace to create one large rectangle. Sew the pieces together, right sides facing, into long strips of the same length. Trim any raw edges that are sticking out. Pin together the short ends, right sides facing, and sew them together, leaving an opening wide enough for your hand. Pull the fabric through the opening so that the scarf is right side out, and close the opening with a ladder stitch. This method allows you to play with different colours and textures, creating a scarf that is both stylish and eco-friendly.

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