15 Projects to Make from T-Shirts
Make a Christmas Stocking from a T-shirt and more! T-shirts, we all have them. Whether from schools, vacations, concerts, sport events, or charitable causes, T-shirts hold memories usually stored in a drawer. Mary Mulari, our recycling expert, is here to encourage you to give those T-shirts a second chance and create unique gifts while renewing memories.
On today’s new episode of Sewing With Nancy, Mary shares a few fantastic projects that preserve memories and recycle treasured souvenirs. This is part-two of the series. Watch Second Chance T-Shirt Gifts Part One online today or purchase Mary’s Second Chance T-Shirt Gifts Pattern and DVD at Nancy’s Notions.
T-Shirt Pillow
On Second Chance T-Shirts Part Two, we’ll create personalized gifts from special T-shirts, which is easier than you might think. For example, turn a favorite T-shirt into a pillow with a few easy steps. Add pockets to hold a child’s favorite storybook or small toy. Then stuff and enjoy.
T–Tote
Give a favorite T-shirt a second chance by transforming it into a tote. This easy project takes advantage of the features of knit fabrics—no-fray edges—so the simplest of sewing techniques are used. Parts of another T-shirt give the handle area extra support plus a splash of color. Watch this Sewing With Nancy program online, now.
T-Shirt Santa Stocking
Make Christmas stockings from T-shirts to display in December from notable T-shirts. Choose T-shirt designs that relate to each member of the family or guests. The creative stocking collection is sure to spark conversations.
Here’s another idea—Add a festive highlight to family gatherings with a banner of reversible pennants. Choose T-shirt designs for each occasion or to represent family members. The back of each pennant is chalkboard fabric, providing space for a message.
Gloves Fit to a Tee
With a two-way stretch T-shirt knit, you can make your own gloves for special occasions, costumes, or lightweight warmth. Add a pocket for your phone or other essentials and your gloves will have flair and practicality at the same time.
T-Time Toddler Bib
Take a colorful pair of T-shirts and make a practical, useful gift for a toddler. Maybe the T-shirts represent the mom or dad’s favorite sport, college, or hobby. The two-sided bib is a popular gift that can showcase the family legacy. Watch online.
Watch Second Chance T-Shirt Makeovers (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.
Happy Sewing and Quilting,Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
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Julie Kill
ALL of the t-shirt projects. Our eldest daughter is going to college in two weeks and has tons of t-shirts- Sports, 4-h, kids ECFE activities and others. She wants all of the recycled into things she can use.
Since I’ve never worked with t-shirts, this would be really handy to get those projects done! Thanks for another wonderful way to keep items in use!
dana chaney
IM GOING TO TRY THE TOTE
Ann West
I have many T-shirts. I really need to find ways to use them in the projects in the book. Thanks!
Ruth Biese
Oh I’ve been wanting to make a t-shirt quilt for a long time, or the totes. What amazing ideas with Christmas right around the corner.
Carolyn
I would love to try the bib idea. Great to have for when the grandkids visit.
RitaMarie
I’d choose the gloves. They will be perfect for the cooler MN fall days soon to come.
Cindy K
The two sided bib would be a good starting project for me. Perfect for when the grandkids visit.
Becky C
Definitely the tote. One can never have too many totes!!
MoeWest
The T-tote looks easy and would be great for shopping. I think it would be small enough to always carry one in my purse.
Rebecca M.
I really like the Christmas stocking from a t-shirt! That would be the project I’d choose to do first. All of the projects look great, and the best part is that they’re being recycled and given a new use. Kudos!
Janice Cate
I can’t choose just one. I love the pillow and the Santa stockings. Great projects.
Robin Hessefort
Would love to make a couple of these gloves. Would be great to coordinate with different winter jackets for driving this winter.
Jade
I have just the t-shirt I’ve been saving to make that tote!
Bonnie
Love the T-Tote and the Gloves Fit to a Tee! It would be great to recycle some of my favorite tees.
Theresa Campbell
I’m interested in the Santa stockings for my grandchildren, all boys. The possibilities are endless(sports, techies, cars, animals, etc.)
Noreen
I think the t-shirt pillow with a pocket would be fun to start with.
beth d.
I would try the tote and toddler’s bib.
jo Wray
What great ideas for tee shirts !
ELAINE GREGORY
I will be making a tshirt quilt. My friend has 5 grown kids so it will be a special Christmas gift.
Clovis
All the t-shirts we have, we could make everybody something for gift giving.
Janet johnson
I will making a tote this week. I have a couple of t-shirts that would be so cute.
PamB
I like the gloves. I have never tried to make them and it looks like it could be challenging. I have short stumpy fingers so I think I could make a pair that actually fit my hands! Thanks
Raquel
Nice love the great ideas
Joanna
LOVE the T-Tote…would be so easy to put together and so many different looks!
Stacey
A t-shirt quilt and pillows from sweatshirts and t-shirts are on my horizon. I would love to see how Mary makes them happen!
Karen Poole
I’d love to try the t shirt gloves!!
Esther
I’d love to make the tote, but I really want to make a quilt. I have tons of concert T’s, plus all of my sports team T’s.. The quilts would be great for sitting on the patio during our fall Arizona nights.
Rosie
Definitely, the gloves. A very creative way to repurpose tees.
Linda
I would like to try the quilt and love the light weight glove idea.
MaryLou W
Oh, I can think of many projects I would do -the reading pillow would be great for any one of my great-grand kids and love the idea of the bib. Our daughter who is 30 is multiple handicap and the bib from a t-shirt would be ideal.LOVE IT!!
Lynn
I like the Christmas stockings.
RITA
I am excited to make the T-time bib and the x-mas stockings
from some of the old t-shirts I have been collecting.
Donna Fecteau
Oh my goodness those stockings are adorable! I also love the tshirt pillow. Great ideas can’t wait to make some.
Bethleen Bradford
The gloves would be good for me as my hands alone are often cold. Fun ideas.
Bonnye
The gloves. My husband is always cold in the house, especially when using the computer. Keep my hubby warm.
Gail Beam
Love all of the projects, but my favorites are the reading pillow and the apron. I would love to have this book for instructions on how how make all of these fun and useful projects.
Martha
The stockings and bibs for gifts; the gloves for myself!
Diana Weston
I love all kinds of ideas for redoing the T-shirts! The gloves are the neatest way to have a lightweight glove to protect the hands!! I also like the pillow, but several of the ideas would be so handy for gifts, such as the stockings.
Kathryn Englebretsen
I’d like to make some adult size t-shirt bibs for some seniors who spill. They would be fun.
hally
i would make the tote bag! what a cool way to save my favorite concert t shirts!
Ronni Mathews
I would make my big brother an Oregon Ducks Christmas stocking!!
Diane Arnold
Love this idea!! I’ve seen the totes made from t-shirts but an idea just occurred to me to use a treasured hand painted sweatshirt of my daughter. She outgrew it many, many years ago. I had saved it thinking I could hand it down to her daughter some day. Time passes and only discovered it upon moving recently. Guess I’ll get it together for her daughter to carry and enjoy.
Mary Green
The gloves have me intrigued but I also like the pillow and tote.
Mary Green
I am intrigued by the gloves but also like the pillow and tote.
Joanie
I would make the T-Shirt pillow for my granddaughters. They are learning to read and love books so that would be a great use for old t-shirts.
Elizabeth R
Oh my gosh! I would make totes and the gloves out of thrift store T-Shirts! They would make great Xmas gifts! PS I miss Nancy very much – she has taught me to embrace sewing like no other teacher!
Catherine H.
I was just in Tallahassee saw a t-shirt at my son’s place asked him to save it for. He was surprised one could make something from a t-shirt. I explained the items that could be made but Mary Mulari book list many items I neglected to mention to my son. I would love to win the book then I would be able to surprise him with several of the items for him, my grandson, Jack and granddaughter, Willa. I have Mary’s book on remake of sweatshirts and enjoy using it.
Joanne T
The gloves would be my first project.
Carolyn
I would make the t shirt bibs for the elderly. It would go into Christmas food baskets. I think they would be different enough to take the sigma off having to wear a bib. If not everyone at the table could put one on and have a good laugh.
Carol
I like the shoe bags for travel since they not only keep my packed clothes clean but also protect my shoes.
Diane L. Putzer
I’d probably make the t-shirt bib first.
Tracy Guebert
I love the stockings! Can’t wait to give them a try!!
Diane Schmidt
I love the idea of bibs for the elderly…..you could personalize them or follow the theme of the month such as Halloween or Thanksgiving. Will be making one for every one at the table!
Helen in KY
I love to make pillows. That would be my number 1 choice followed closely behind with stockings. Love all the ideas
Ellen C.
I’d like to try the pillow, the Christmas stocking, and the tote bag–they would make great gifts.
Susan
Giving new life to an old T-shirt is a great way ot recycle and have fun at the same time. Love the idea of the Christmas stocking from a cherished school or sport!
Darlene
The projects that really struck me to do are the t-shirt bib and the stockings. My cousin recently passed suddenly and young (52) he had 1 date who is carrying his first grandchild. They were very close. I believe this expression of memory will be received well. He has several memorable t-shirts so to have a stocking hung at Christmas and for his grandson to have one for a bib would be fabulous!!
Rebecca Price
I have been making “clothes protectors” for elderly out of towels. Never thought of using T-shirts. Great idea.
Ella Zak
Mary Mulari has so many cool ideas, I just keep collecting and using her books, the stocking idea is so neat to be somewhat Christmassy but still so personal that my older ‘kids’ will love it