Belts, Scarves And Even Rugs: 3 Ways To Upcycle Old T-Shirts

Upcycling is one of the biggest trends to hit the recycling world. If your closet or dresser drawers are overflowing with old T-shirts celebrating special events in your life, don’t send them to the local thrift store. Instead, upcycle them into something brand new such as a belt, a scarf or even a rug for your bedroom.

T-Shirt to a Belt

The right belt can really pull an outfit together and if you’re looking for a unique look, consider making it yourself out of upcycled T-shirts.

1. Start by cutting a T-shirt into horizontal strips that are just about half an inch wide.
2. Braid the strips together in any design that you like and wrap the ends with a loop of fabric.
3. Secure the loop with a little bit of hot glue and you’ve got a completely custom belt that took just a few minutes to make.

T-Shirts to Scarf

Making a scarf is easy and the possibilities are endless. If you want a multi-colored one, use different colored shirts to create a one of a kind look. Black and white are particularly stunning together, while pastel pink and grey are a popular springtime color combination for 2014.

1. To start, cut off the sleeves and then use a seam ripper to open up the seam that holds the sleeve together. These sleeves are the ends of your scarf so you won’t need to worry about sewing a finished edge – the work is already done for you!
2. Next, cut up some rectangles (as many as you can get out of your T-shirt) and mix up the design to create a fun and funky combination.
3. Stitch the panels together using a contrasting thread and take care to leave some space on the ends of each panel. Leaving about half an inch of space on the ends before stitching up the panels will allow the ends to roll a little after the scarf is washed, creating a unique textured appearance.

T-Shirts to a Rug

If you have stacks upon stacks of T-shirts, consider making a rug, but realize that this project can be quite time consuming. That being said, the results are worth it! You’ll also need a flat doormat or a non-slip mat for a base.

1. Cut your T-shirts into strips that are about two inches wide and then cut your long strips into five inch sections.
2. Tie a small knot in the middle of each strip and use a hot glue gun to glue it onto your mat.
3. Repeat until your mat is fully covered. If you’re using a few different color shirts, glue your knotted strips in a random pattern for a rug that’s completely original. For a full and fluffy rug, glue your knots right next to each other.

When using hot glue, it’s important to only spot clean – if you toss your project into the washing machine, the glue will likely come loose and undo your entire project. 

If you have stacks of old T-shirts, don’t let them clutter up your closet — upcycle them! Can you think of any other ways to upcycle old T-shirts?