Clothing Refashioned: 35 Ways to Refashion a T-shirt

T-Shirt Leotard Tutorial

Ways to Refashion a T-Shirt

T-shirts are my favorite craft supply! I live in a town with a couple of great Goodwills, so they’re also a pretty much inexhaustible craft supply for me.

My favorite way to craft with T-shirts is to refashion them into yet more pieces of clothing. That way, I can wear even more T-shirts!

Ready to get YOUR T-shirt craft on? Check out this list of T-shirt refashions for your next wearable sewing adventure:

Ways to Refashion a T-shirt1. Add a bow collarMake your T-shirt dressy!

2. Add a bow to the backThis makes a very dressy look with very little effort.

3. Add buttonsThis is a really cute way to transform the sleeves of a long-sleeved T-shirt.

4. Add a hoodYou can add a hood to any T-shirt. You don’t even have to rip the neckband out first, although it looks better if you do.

Ways to Refashion a T-shirt5. Add a skirtThis is a super-cute transformation for a kid’s shirt, especially.

6. Add side panelsAdd some contrast to a plain T-shirt.

7. Alter it into a maternity topBecause maternity clothes are expensive!

8. AppliqueThe tute shows flowers, but you could do stars or dinosaurs–anything, really!

9. Change it into a tank topInstead of being swathed in fabric, make yourself cool and comfy!

Ways to Refashion a T-shirt10. Change the necklineNo more too-tight necklines!

11. Cover a stain with paintHere’s a way to get a little more use out of a stained T-shirt.

12. Crochet. There are a lot of ways to transform a T-shirt using crocheting. Check it out!

13. Lace it upIt’s one of those shirts that I think you have to make your own duct tape bra to wear with it.

14. Lengthen itDon’t you hate it when a T-shirt is too short?

15. Make a bandeauKeep that duct tape bra on, or trade it for a strapless bra.

16. Make a child’s dressSeriously, you could make a kid’s entire wardrobe out of old adult T-shirts.

17. Make a skirtDepending on the size of the T-shirt, you can make this skirt for any size.

18. Make it into a peplum topThe key is to start with an oversized, boxy T-shirt.

19. Put lace on the sleeves. With the invention of stretch lace, this is even easier!

20. Put on a peter pan collarYou need a scoop neck T-shirt for this.

Repair a Knit Dress with a T-shirt21. Repair a knit dress. You can patch it with jersey knit, or even lengthen it using the body of a T-shirt.

22. Reverse appliqueThis is another good way to hide a stain.

23. Ruche itHere’s a great way to make a too-large T-shirt fit much better.

24. Sew caprisDon’t break your heart buying your kids new summer clothes every freaking year. Sew them these capris, instead!

25. Sew shortsIf you pieced together fabric from more shirts, you could make these in adult sizes.

26. Sew them to a skirt. This patchwork T-shirt and blue jeans skirt is AMAZING!

27. Take it inFound the BEST shirt in the thrift store, but it happens to be 18 sizes too large? You can fix that!

28. Take the sleeves offYou CAN, TOO pull off the sleeveless T-shirt!

29. Transform it into a onesieYou will be a hero at your next baby shower.

30. Transform it into a tube topPut that strapless bra back on!

T-Shirt Leotard Tutorial31. Turn it into a leotard. Jersey knit leotards look best on people who are still cut like straight little noodles, but if you have a kid who’s way into gymnastics, dance, or aerial silks, here you go!

32. Turn it into a scarfHere’s a great idea for a chilly day.

33. Upcycle it into a baby gownI make this for baby gifts All THE TIME!

34. Upcycle it into leggingsTo make it in adult sizes, just piece together more shirts.

35. Upcycle it into a peasant dressThis is such a cute dress for a kid!

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Written by Julie Finn

I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now.

Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life, and my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties.

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