Creative Ways To Upcycle Leftover T-Shirt Scraps

T-shirts are a staple in most wardrobes, but what happens when they become old or worn out? With the rise of minimalism and an emphasis on sustainability, it's essential to consider creative ways to repurpose old T-shirts rather than contributing to textile waste. Leftover T-shirt scraps can be upcycled into various useful and decorative items with a little imagination and some simple techniques. From braided belts and headbands to tote bags and even wall art, the possibilities are endless. In this article, we will explore fun and eco-friendly ways to transform those leftover T-shirt scraps into something new and exciting.

Make a braided belt

Making a braided belt is a great way to use old T-shirts. The process is quite simple, but the part that takes the most time is the braiding.

To start, you will need an old T-shirt and a pair of scissors. Turn the T-shirt inside out and make it as even as possible. Next, take a coloured pencil and a ruler and make a line down the shirt, starting from the end of the sleeve. Place the ruler right next to the end of the collar line and make another line. These two lines will be your reference lines for the braid pieces and will help remove the excess sleeve and collar material. Repeat these lines on the other side of the shirt. You should now have four reference lines.

Now, measure the distance between the two reference lines on one side of the shirt. Cut this distance into two or three equal parts. For example, if the distance is 4 inches, cut each side in half, leaving you with four 2-inch strips. Mark the centre lines and use the ruler to make a straight line down the shirt. Once you have all your lines marked, you can start cutting the shirt, making sure to cut both sides at the same time and following your lines as best as possible.

Take the strips and knot two of them together. Before tightening the knot, slip the third strip into the knot hole and tighten, joining all three strips together. Once they are securely knotted, you can start braiding. Take the leftmost strand and bring it over the centre strand. The left strand now becomes the new centre strand. Now, take the rightmost strand and bring it over the centre strand, making it the new centre strand. Repeat this process as many times as needed. When you get to the part of the strips with the seam connecting the front and back of the shirt, you may need to trim the strips to even out the braid.

After braiding, knot the ends of the strips together. Sew one end once so you can wrap it around a D-ring or O-ring, which can be purchased for around $1, and sew it a couple of times. Sew the other end several times to secure it.

And that's it! You now have a cute, colourful braided belt made from an old T-shirt.

Create a no-sew scarf

There are many ways to create a no-sew scarf from leftover T-shirt scraps. Here is one method:

Firstly, you will need to cut the bottom hem off your T-shirt and then cut the shirt into horizontal strips, approximately 1"–1 1/2" wide. Go all the way up to the armpit of the shirt. Don't worry about being too precise, as these strips will be stretched.

Next, find a partner to help you stretch out your loops. Collect the loops together and pull them again to make them all even in length.

If you want a simple loopy necklace scarf, you can stop here. Otherwise, continue to the next step.

Take another T-shirt in a contrasting colour and cut a loop from the bottom. Cut the loop open and secure it around your looped scarf with a tie. Be sure to leave a tail on the short side of the binding that's at least 5" long. You'll use this extra fabric to tie a knot later.

Start to wind the binding around the scarf, making sure to wrap it over the hanging piece. Cut it off when you're happy with the length.

Tie the ends together in a knot and tuck them under the binding. You may need to loosen the end of the binding to make room for the extra fabric.

Take a T-shirt and cut off the top of the shirt somewhere below the armholes. You now have an infinity scarf! You don't even need to hem it.

This method is a great way to recycle shirts that are too big or too small, or to save a shirt that is stained or ripped.

Take a seamless T-shirt tube and cut out a circle using a plate as a guide. Cut the circle into a spiral. Stretch the spiral out to create a long, thin strip of fabric.

Take another piece of T-shirt fabric and cut it into a 4" x 6" scrap. Begin to wrap the scrap around the centre of the spiral strip. Use fabric glue or a glue gun to secure it. Roll the scrap the rest of the way around, gluing a couple more times to keep it flat.

And here is an eighth method for creating a no-sew T-shirt scarf:

Take a T-shirt and cut the tube section below the armpit. Cut the tube into three even-sized loops. Stretch the loops and put them together, stepping on one end with your foot. Hold the other three in your hands, stretching the loops. Braid the loops by passing them back and forth.

Slip a scrap of T-shirt fabric between the loops—two loops above the scrap, one below. Tie the scrap around the two loops with a square knot to secure the braid. Weave the ends of the scrap into the braid to hide them.

Cut another scrap of T-shirt fabric, approximately 4" x 6". Begin to wrap the scrap around the braided loops, using glue to secure it. Continue to wrap tightly to smooth the three parts together.

Craft a cat tent

If you have some leftover T-shirts and want to put them to good use, why not craft a cat tent? It's a simple project that will bring joy to your feline friend and only takes about 10 minutes to complete. Here's a step-by-step guide to crafting a cat tent using leftover T-shirt scraps:

What You'll Need:

• A medium-sized T-shirt, or a larger one if you have a bigger cat or want a larger tent.
• A 15x15 inch piece of cardboard, or larger.
• Two wire hangers.
• Masking or painter's tape.
• Safety pins or floral wire.
• Scissors or pliers.

Step 1: Prepare the Hangers

Start by cutting the hangers where they meet to form the hook. You can use scissors or pliers for this step. Straighten out the hangers to create two long pieces of wire.

Step 2: Shape the Hangers

Bend the wire hangers into a U shape that reaches diagonally across the cardboard. You can also shape them into graceful curves that go from one corner of the cardboard to the opposite corner. Tape the creases to reinforce the structure.

Step 3: Assemble the Frame

Poke holes in each corner of the cardboard. Use the ends of the hangers to make these holes. Put the ends of the hangers into the holes so that they cross over in the middle of the cardboard. Tape the hangers together securely where they cross.

Step 4: Secure the Frame

Bend the ends of the hangers under the corners of the cardboard and tape them down flat. This will ensure that the frame is stable and the hangers don't poke through the T-shirt.

Step 5: Create the Tent Cover

Now, it's time to add the T-shirt. Pull the T-shirt over the frame, with the neck hole in the front middle. The bottom of the T-shirt should trail behind the tent frame. You can cut the neck hole larger for easier access if needed.

Step 6: Secure the Tent

Flip the tent over and pull the bottom and sleeves of the T-shirt tight. Use safety pins to secure the fabric to the rest of the shirt, or you can tie the excess fabric into a knot. This will ensure there are no loose ends inside the tent.

Step 7: Customise and Present to Your Cat

You can customise your tent by cushioning the cardboard bottom with a blanket or a cat bed. Toss in your cat's favourite toy, some catnip, or even a paper bag to serve as a floor if it's hot. Your cat will love its new tent!

Make a dog toy

There are several ways to make a dog toy from leftover T-shirt scraps. Here are some ideas:

Braided T-Shirt Dog Toy

This is a simple way to make a dog toy from T-shirt scraps. You will need:

• T-shirt scraps in contrasting colours
• Scissors

First, cut the T-shirt into strips. For the body of the T-shirt, cut as many strips as you can. For the sleeves, cut off the sleeve along the seam that connects it to the body. Cut the seam where the armpit would be and flatten the sleeve piece out. Cut the edge seam off the flattened piece. Cut the rest of the sleeve piece into strips that are 1" wide. Stretch the strips to lengthen and roll them.

Now you have a bunch of strips, take six of them and tie a tight knot at one end. Separate the strips into three groups and braid them together. Stop braiding when you have about 6" left, then tie another knot to secure the braid. You can trim the ends to make them even, or leave them for your dog to play with.

Knotted Ball from T-Shirt Hems

This method uses the hems of the T-shirts to create a knotted ball for your dog to play with. You will need:

T-shirt hems (use the hems as big uncut loops, or cut into strips and join if you need more length)

Gather your hem loops and use one to tie the bundle together. Spread the loops into four groups in a cross shape. You will now create a square (or box) knot weave. First, fold the top of the vertical strip towards the bottom, then fold the bottom towards the top. Now, fold the right end of the horizontal strip towards the left, passing over then under, then do the same with the left end. Pull to secure – the strands should now look like a woven square. Flip the knot over and tidy the strands back into a cross shape. Repeat this process, flipping the knot after each knot, and watch your ball grow!

You can leave a few ends untucked for your dog to grip, or tuck them all in to make a neat ball.

Loop Tug Toy

This toy uses T-shirt strips to create a loop that your dog can tug on. You will need:

• T-shirt scraps
• Scissors

First, cut the T-shirt into strips – make sure to remove any seams so the fabric can stretch properly. Grab the ends of each strip, stretch the fabric and curl it up from the sides. Cut about 1" off the sleeves of your T-shirt, creating two smaller strips. Gather three sections of strips and tie a simple knot at one end of each. Braid the strips together, then knot again at the other end. Use the smaller strips to tie the braids together at the knots. Machine wash before giving to your dog.

Compost the fabric

Composting your old T-shirts is a great way to treat yourself and the environment. It is a simple process that will help you reduce waste and improve your garden.

Step 1: Prepare the Fabric

First, you will need to remove any metal or non-biodegradable parts from your T-shirts, such as buttons, zippers, or snaps. Then, cut the remaining fabric into long strips of about 2 inches wide. You can stack these strips and cut them into smaller 2-3 inch squares—the more you shred your clothing, the faster it will decompose.

Step 2: Mix with Potting Soil

Collect your small squares of natural fabric and mix them with potting soil. The ratio should be about 2 parts soil to 1 part fabric. You can add your plants directly to this mixture and then cover them with another layer of potting soil.

Step 3: Water Your Plants

After planting, simply water your plants as usual. The fabric will help retain moisture in the soil and promote the growth of your plants.

Tips for Effective Composting:

• Choose natural materials: Natural textiles that can easily biodegrade include cotton, silk, wool, cashmere, bamboo, jute, and hemp. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and spandex are not biodegradable.
• Remove non-biodegradable materials: Before shredding your T-shirts, be sure to remove any plastic tags, buttons, zippers, elastic, clips, and press studs. You can save or donate these items for reuse.
• Use a compost tumbler: For faster composting, you can use a compost tumbler and mix your fabric scraps with organic matter like coffee grounds and leftover food.
• Consider vermicomposting: To speed up the composting process, you can try vermicomposting, which involves using worms to break down the fabric.

Frequently asked questions