Recycling old shirts: 9 creative ideas to transform them into useful objects
There are some garments that we never want to have to throw away, and our favorite shirts certainly fall into this category. Time, however, is not always kind to the clothes we wear most often, and they inevitably wear out. Depending on which part of the shirt is still salvageable, old shirts can be recycled easily.
For example, we can convert them into pillowcases, bags, fashion accessories and more. Check out the ideas below:
Every part of an old shirt can be recycled
"Nothing goes to waste" is really true for old shirts. Even the sleeves - especially with the cuffs - can be recycled as personalized carry-cases. They can contain whatever you want, from a phone to tissues or any other gadget that fits.
From a formal shirt to work clothes
Remove the sleeves, and your "new" apron is ready to use in the kitchen, garage or garden. It can also have a handy pocket or two which you can easily add!
An old shirt repurposed as a fashion accessory
Is the collar still in good condition? If so, you could make it a fashion accessory, embellishing it with gems, rhinestones and embossed decorations or maybe even embroidery. And it could also become the element with which to uplift other garments, such as customized t-shirts.
Bibs made from old shirts
Baby bibs made from old shirts are adorable, especially if you sew a small bow tie on the front using a scrap of some other contrasting piece of fabric!
Other useful accessories to make using old shirts
Robust shirts, such as heavy flannel ones, lend themselves to becoming bags or backpacks with a string-styled closure. Use them for whatever purpose you like!
Another brilliant idea is to reuse shirts as unique "wrappings" to present bottles of wine as gifts!
Don't want to part with your favorite shirt? A truly original way to continue seeing it, is to create a personalized cushion for the sofa!
Do you need rags or tea towels around the house for light cleaning jobs? You can make these from old shirts!
You can never have too many fabric tote bags. They are useful for many occasions, from daily shopping to travelling. And they can also be made from old shirts.
Have you ever tried to recycle an old shirt?
