T-Shirt String Craft: Creative Ways To Upcycle Old Tees

how to t shirt string craft

T-shirt string craft is a fun and easy way to give new life to old T-shirts, especially those that are stained or no longer wearable. The process involves cutting the T-shirt into strips and then connecting those strips to form a continuous piece of yarn or twine. This upcycling method is not only environmentally friendly but also cost-effective, as it transforms unwanted items into something useful. The resulting T-shirt yarn can be used for various creative projects, such as crochet, knitting, macrame, and more.

Characteristics Values
Purpose To create a continuous string/yarn from a T-shirt
Tools T-shirt, scissors
Optional Tools Fray Stop, binder clip, clip board, rotary cutter, cutting mat, sewing scissors
Best T-Shirts 100% cotton or mostly cotton, without side seams, without printing/embroidery/joints/seams
Cutting Technique Cut into strips, then cut diagonally to create a continuous strip
Strip Width Minimum 15mm, maximum 1-1.5 inches
Strip Length Cut T-shirt horizontally from sleeve to sleeve
Curling Stretch/pull the strips to create a curl
Washing Can be washed, but may ravel on the cut edges

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How to make T-shirt yarn

T-shirt yarn is a fun and easy way to repurpose old T-shirts that you might not wear anymore. It can be used for a variety of projects, including home decor, bags, rugs, bathmats, and coasters. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make T-shirt yarn:

Preparing the T-Shirt:

Start by laying your T-shirt flat on a table and smoothing out any wrinkles. Cut off the bottom seam (hem) of the shirt. Then, cut a straight line from one armpit to the other, making sure to cut through both layers of the shirt. Ideally, this will leave you with a rectangular piece of fabric.

Cutting the Fabric Strips:

Now, you will cut the fabric into strips. Decide on the desired width of your yarn, depending on how you plan to use it. A good range is between 1 to 1.5 inches wide. Cut the first strip from the bottom to about 1 or 2 inches from the top fold, making sure not to cut all the way through. Repeat this process for the remaining strips, trying to maintain a consistent width.

Connecting the Strips:

Once you have cut all the strips, it's time to connect them into one continuous piece of yarn. Place the shirt over one arm, with the top uncut fold resting on your arm. If you are right-handed, use your left arm and vice versa. From here on, you will be making diagonal cuts. Start by cutting diagonally from the outside edge to the point where you ended cutting the first strip. Continue this process for the remaining strips, cutting from the end of one slit to the start of the next.

Finishing the Yarn:

After cutting all the strips, you will have one long piece of T-shirt yarn. You can choose to keep the yarn flat or stretch it to make it curl and resemble traditional yarn. To curl the yarn, simply stretch and pull it between your hands, and it will curl up and thin out. Finally, wind the yarn into a ball, and it's ready to be used for knitting or crocheting!

T-shirt yarn is a great way to recycle old T-shirts and create unique, personalized projects. You can experiment with different colours and textures to make your creations stand out.

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How to make a macrame-style hanging planter

Macrame is a crafting technique that involves creating textiles by tying a series of knots. To make a macrame-style hanging planter, you will need the following materials:

  • An old T-shirt made from stretchy fabric like cotton or jersey
  • Scissors or a rotary cutter, mat, and cutting ruler
  • Measuring tape and a small sewing gauge
  • A small to medium-sized pot
  • A plant
  • A metal or wooden ring

First, cut the T-shirt into strips. Place the T-shirt on a flat surface and cut open the side seam. Remove the bottom hem of the T-shirt. Starting from the bottom, cut the T-shirt horizontally into 1-inch-wide strips. You will need eight strips for your planter.

Next, stretch the strips. Grab each strip at both ends and pull to make the fabric curl into a tube. This will make it easier to work with and give it a cleaner look.

Now you are ready to start tying knots. Group your strips into four pairs and tie a knot with all eight strands under your metal or wooden ring. This will create a loop at the top. Make sure the long ends of your hanger are the same length.

For the next step, you will create the structure of your planter by tying a series of knots. First, measure about 12 inches from the bottom of the strips and mark this spot. Then, tie a common knot in each of the four pairs of strands at the same distance from the top knot. Take one strip from one pair and one strip from the adjacent pair, and tie a knot about 3 inches below the first set of knots. Repeat this process around the entire hanger.

For the second set of knots, you will again tie one strip from one pair and one strip from the adjacent pair. This time, tie the knot about 9 inches from the bottom edge. Repeat this process for all four pairs of strips.

For the final knot, gather all the strips at the bottom and tie a large knot to secure your plant pot hanger. Trim any excess fabric to make the ends even.

Finally, carefully place your plant pot into the hanger and manipulate the strands to ensure the pot is well-supported and sits straight. Your macrame-style hanging planter is now ready to be hung up!

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How to make a T-shirt twine bracelet

Making a T-shirt twine bracelet is a fun and easy craft project that can be done with just a few simple tools and materials. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of creating a unique and stylish bracelet using an old T-shirt. So, let's get started!

Materials and Tools:

  • An old T-shirt (preferably without side seams)
  • Scissors or a rotary cutter
  • Fray stop (optional)
  • Binder clip
  • Clipboard (optional)

Step 1: Prepare the T-shirt

Lay your T-shirt flat on a table and smooth out any wrinkles. Using your scissors or rotary cutter, carefully cut off the bottom seam (hem) of the shirt. Next, cut a straight line from one armpit to the other, ensuring you cut through both layers of the shirt. This will leave you with a rectangular piece of fabric.

Step 2: Cut the T-shirt into Strips

Decide how wide you want your twine to be, typically between 1-2 inches. Beginning at one edge of the fabric, cut a strip straight from the bottom to about 1-2 inches from the top fold. Make sure you don't cut all the way to the end, and cut through both layers. Repeat this process until you have cut strips across the entire fabric. These strips will be used to create your bracelet.

Step 3: Create the Twine

Take two strips of unequal length and tie them together at one end. Hold strip A in your non-dominant hand and strip B in your dominant hand. Now, let's start twisting! Twist strip B tightly, with the twist going away from you. After a few twists, carefully pull strip B behind strip A, bringing strip A to the front. Start twisting strip A in the same direction as before. Continue this process, alternating between strips A and B, until you reach the end of one of the strips.

Step 4: Add More Strips

When you're about 1 inch from the end of a strip, wrap the current strip around the new strip and begin twisting away from you. After a few twists, continue wrapping and twisting simultaneously, maintaining a firm grip on the joined ends to prevent sliding. Keep adding strips in this manner until you have a good length of twine.

Step 5: Assemble the Bracelet

Now it's time to turn your twine into a bracelet! Cut two strips of twine, each about 4 feet long. Combine multiple strips if needed. Cut a small slit near the ends of both strips. Take one strip and string the slit-free end through the hole of the other strip and then through its own slit, forming a loop. Pull the ends to tighten the loop.

Step 6: Weave the Bracelet

Fold each strip in half and clip them together at the fold, giving you four strands. Take the two strands on the right and fold them over the left strands. Loop them back under and over, tightening the knot. Repeat with the left strands, alternating sides and ensuring the knots are tightened evenly. Continue weaving until the bracelet is long enough to wrap around your wrist comfortably.

Step 7: Finish the Bracelet

Remove the clip and feed the free ends through the loops, knotting a couple of times to secure it. Cut off any excess strands, and your T-shirt twine bracelet is ready to wear!

Feel free to experiment with different colours, patterns, and styles to create your own unique bracelet designs. Happy crafting!

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How to make a T-shirt string cat's cradle

Cats Cradle is a fun, traditional string game that can be played with two or more people. It involves making a series of shapes and is a great way to recycle old t-shirts. Here is how to make a T-shirt string Cats Cradle:

First, you will need to make your T-shirt yarn. To do this, take your chosen T-shirt and cut off the bottom seam (hem). Then, cut the T-shirt into a rectangle by cutting a straight line from one armpit to the other. Next, cut the fabric into strips, deciding how thick you want your yarn to be. Cut somewhere between one and two inches wide. Stop cutting at the fold of the first half of the T-shirt. Continue cutting in the same way until you reach the sleeves.

Now, cut the sleeve section off by cutting straight across both edges. You will be left with a rectangle of fabric with some strips at the bottom. This can now be cut into one continuous strip of yarn. To do this, pick up the shirt and place the fold over your arm. Cut diagonally from the outside edge to the point where you ended cutting the first strip. Continue cutting diagonally along the strips until you reach the end of the shirt, then cut off the last strip diagonally. You should now have one long, continuous strip of T-shirt yarn.

To play Cats Cradle, you will need a piece of string about 40 inches (100 cm) long. Tie the ends together to form a loop. Loop the string around the back of both hands, with your thumbs pointing upwards and outside of the loop. Wrap the string around your wrists again, so you have two strands of string running parallel to each other, forming a rectangle. Now, reach across and slide your middle finger under the strand in front of the opposite palm. Repeat with the other hand, pulling the strands apart to form a double "X" in the middle. This is the "Cats Cradle" formation.

From here, you and your partner can take turns creating different shapes by manipulating the string with your fingers and passing the formation back and forth. The game ends when a player breaks the formation or cannot transfer it to their hands.

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How to make a T-shirt yarn basket

To make a T-shirt yarn basket, you will need old T-shirts, scissors, a needle, and some time. You can also use beeswax and a thimble if you have them.

First, cut your T-shirts into yarn. To do this, lay your T-shirt flat on a table and smooth out any wrinkles. Cut off the bottom seam (hem) of the shirt, then cut a straight line from one armpit to the other. Cut the fabric into strips, deciding how wide you want your yarn to be. Cut through both layers of the shirt, stopping about 1 or 2 inches from the top fold. Cut all the way across the fabric, then cut diagonally from the outside edge to the point where you ended the previous cut. This will give you one long, continuous strip of yarn. Stretch the yarn to make it curl and become thinner.

Next, braid three strands of yarn together. Sew the ends together, then braid firmly without pulling too tight. You can attach the end of the braid to something to avoid tangling.

Now, sew the bottom of the basket. Use a double-threaded needle and sew the folded-over bit of the braid together, winding the braid around and securing each new edge to the previous one. Always start from the inside edge and add a stitch every 2-3 braid segments.

Then, sew the sides of the basket. Use a long, double-threaded needle, and start where you tied off the thread holding the bottom together. Pull the braid up so that it rises above the bottom of the basket, then push the needle through the edge of the basket bottom so that it comes out below the braid. Keep the thread tight and loop it over the braid. Go down through the edge of the basket bottom a few segments away and go over the braid again. Keep pushing the needle through the lower layer and bringing it up over the current bit of braid, going around and around, keeping the thread tight but not too tight.

Finally, finish the basket by tucking the end of the braid into the inside of the rim of the basket and anchoring it in place with stitches.

You can also make a crochet basket using T-shirt yarn. Simply adjust the pattern to the size of the basket you want.

Frequently asked questions

The best T-shirts for T-shirt string crafts are those that are 100% cotton or at least mostly cotton. It is also important to ensure that the T-shirt is plain and free from printing, embroidery, and any joints or seams.

First, lay the T-shirt flat on a table and smooth out any wrinkles. Then, cut off the bottom seam (hem) of the shirt. Next, cut the fabric into strips, deciding beforehand how wide you want your T-shirt yarn to be.

T-shirt yarn can be used for a variety of crafts, including crochet, knitting, and weaving projects. Some specific examples include rugs, baskets, bags, scarves, and rope.

To make the T-shirt yarn thinner, stretch the strips of fabric. This will also curl the fabric, giving it a more rounded shape like traditional yarn.

Yes, you can wash T-shirt yarn, but be aware that it may ravel on the cut edges.

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