How to Upcycle Old T-Shirts
We all have them—those once-favorite T-shirts sitting in the back of the drawer, too stretched, stained, or torn to wear but way too sentimental to toss. Instead of letting used clothes gather dust, why not give them a second life?
Upcycled t-shirts are an easy, budget-friendly way to reduce waste, get creative with your wardrobe, and try your hand at DIY recycling projects.
Whether you’re curious about what to do with old T-shirts or simply looking for ideas for upcycling clothes, there are endless ways to give fabric new life.
No-Sew Upcycling Ideas
Not much of a sewer? No problem. Some of the most fun and practical old T-shirt upcycle transformations don’t require a single stitch. With just a pair of scissors and some imagination, you can transform old, worn-out tees into something that feels totally brand new.
Turn T-Shirts Into Tote Bags
Plastic bags are so out. But reusable totes? They’re in, useful, and incredibly cute. A worn graphic tee is the perfect choice for your tote if you’re looking to make a bold statement. You can also opt for a more neutral choice to make an everyday bag you can take everywhere, from the grocery store to the office.
How to upcycle T-shirts into tote bags is as easy as 1, 2, 3, 4:
Step 1 – Lay your shirt flat on the ground; then, cut off the sleeves of your tee.
Step 2 – Cut the neck out of the tee, as if you’re creating a scoop tank top.
Step 3 – At the bottom of the upcycled T-shirt, cut vertical slips every inch or so along the hemline. Tie the back and front slits together.
Step 4 – Flip the tee inside out, and you’ve got a durable bag for groceries, library hauls, or even your thrifting adventures.
DIY T-Shirt Pillow Covers
Have a patterned tee with a design you love but can’t wear anymore? Frame it on your couch instead of your body. To create upcycled T-shirts into pillow covers, simply:
Lay your tee flat
Cut it to fit a pillow form
Tie the edges closed
Instantly, you’ve created a custom throw pillow that doubles as a conversation starter. It’s a cozy way to keep band shirts, travel souvenirs, or vintage finds part of your everyday space.
Cut Into Crop Tops or Tank Tops
Anyone looking to refresh their closet? Oversized T-shirts can easily be trimmed into crop tops, tanks, or even workout tees.
If you’re looking for something tried-and-true, find a tank top or crop top from your closet that you love. You can use this garment as an outline, placing it on top of the tee and tracing it with tailor’s chalk.
If you’re looking to embrace a more creative process, you can be more open-ended. Measure where you want the new hemline, neckline, and sleeves to fall, cut across with sharp scissors, and you’re done! If you’re feeling even bolder, you can play around with:
Fringe cuts
Scalloped edges
Side ties
Sweetheart or square necklines
Craft Projects With Old T-Shirts
For those who love to get crafty, T-shirts are basically free art supplies waiting to happen. The fabric is typically soft, stretchy and forgiving, making it perfect for hands-on projects.
Braided Rugs and Coasters
For rugs or coasters, you can play around with textures, prints, and designs—the more colors, the more unique your design.
To begin, you’ll want to cut your tees into strips—thinner if you’re making a coaster, and wider if you’re crafting a rug. From there, take three separate strips and start braiding them. Once the weave is finished, coil the braid so that it forms a circle. Then, secure the shape with a needle and thread—stitch along the inside of the spiral until the coaster or rug feels structured and sturdy.
The more colors, the more unique. It’s a classic example of how to upcycle T-shirts into something functional, yet one of a kind.
DIY Headbands and Hair Ties
Elastic hair ties are always disappearing. Enter T-shirt yarn: Slice your tee into long strips and stretch them until they curl. Then, braid or knot them into headbands, scrunchies, or ties.
Not only are tees gentle on your hair, but they’re also an easy way to repurpose scraps left over from other projects. To give your hairstyles more punch, consider mixing colors for an accessory that’s ready for the festival or the family get-together.
T-Shirt Quilts for Memory Keepsakes
If you have a pile of sentimental T-shirts you can’t bear to cut into dust rags, sewing them into a quilt is one of the best ideas for upcycling T-shirts. It’s definitely a bigger project, but the payoff is huge: a cozy, functional blanket full of memories. High school sports teams, concerts, vacations—they all find new life stitched together.
For those who are new to sewing, find a beginner-friendly tutorial on TikTok or YouTube that walks you through every step. The end result is equal parts nostalgia and sustainability.
Practical Uses Around the House
Sometimes, knowing what to do with old T-shirts is incredibly simple: They can easily replace single-use products or meet everyday needs around your home.
Cleaning Rags
Instead of buying paper towels in bulk, turn your soft, worn, or even bleach-stained tees into reusable rags. Just cut them into squares, and you’re set for dusting, scrubbing, or tackling spills. This is a great way to recycle and save money.
Pet Toys
Your furry friends can benefit, too. Braid strips of fabric into tug toys for dogs or knot them into balls and tie them to a string or thread to give to your cats. The soft cotton is safe for chewing, and since it carries your scent, they’ll love playing with it even more.
Give Secondhand T-Shirts a New Life With ShopGoodwill
Upcycling isn’t just about saving money—it’s about creativity, sustainability, and finding joy in giving something a new purpose. Whether you’re turning your old tees into tote bags, crafting a memory quilt, cutting rags for cleaning day, or upcycling old jeans, every project makes a difference.
ShopGoodwill.com is an online thrift store packed with secondhand treasures waiting to be reimagined. Even better? Every purchase of used clothes helps extend the life of clothing, reduce waste, and support communities.
So, grab those scissors, dig through your closet, and start your next project—you never know what magic an old T-shirt might hold. Consider extending your upcycling projects to your accessories, too. There are many things to do with old jewelry!
Sources:
Instructables. No-Sew 10 Minute T-Shirt Tote. https://www.instructables.com/No-Sew-10-Minute-T-Shirt-Tote/
DLTK’s Site for Kids. Braided T-Shirt Yarn Coaster. https://dltk-kids.com/crafts/earth/m-tshirt-coaster.htm