7 Ways to Upcycle Your Old T-Shirts This Weekend

Tired of your summer tees? Don’t throw them out just yet—make them into something brand new for fall with these easy ideas we snagged off Pinterest.

1. Cover Up a Stain

Were you unable to get the mustard stain out of your favorite white tee? Hope is not lost—just cover it up with a super simple Sharpie tie-dye treatment. And next time, keep cookouts from making casualties of your clothes with a cute T-shirt apron, made from that top you’ve been hanging onto that doesn’t really fit.

2. Ruffles, Ruffles, Ruffles

With a few snips of scissors and some basic sewing knowledge, transform a bland tee into a pretty top to wear out this fall. Wouldn’t these look pretty under a cardigan?

3. Shrug It Off

This almost no-sew shrug tutorial ups the glam factor of a tee by adding stylish rosettes along the neckline. But feel free to improvise, and make it as simple or elaborate as you’d like!

4. Slim Down 

Got a shirt that’s just a little too large around the middle? Show off your silhouette by bringing it in with this stylishly simple technique.

5. Wrap It Up

Keep your neck warm this fall with cozy scarves and fabric necklaces. You’ll be able to whip up one of these simple styles in no time.

6. Make It Dressy

Okay, these pins don’t have tutorials behind them, but these dresses, jumpers, and tunics made out of oversized T-shirts (snag some from your hubby, boyfriend, brother, or dad’s closet) were too cute not to include. If you can decipher the steps in between the before and after pics, please share your instructions with us!

7. All in the Details

Add as much embellishment to your final creations as you want! From easy iron on-lace to custom cut chiffon flowers, your friends will think you paid top dollar for your stylish creations. Check out the buttons on this skirt—they totally disguise the fact that it was originally a plain old tee!

Have any favorite upcycling ideas of your own? We want to see! Share the link below, and we’ll add to our board. Don’t forget to follow The Daily Muse on Pinterest!

About the Author

Little brings Emily more of a thrill than taking a so-so sentence and making it shine or giving an alright paragraph more of a punch. She’s a self proclaimed word-nerd whose penchant for language took her from barista-ing in a bookstore café during college to serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in a high school just outside of Madrid after graduating with a double major in English and Spanish. Since returning to the States over a year ago, Emily has worked as Associate Editor for The Daily Muse and established a Spanish language social media presence for one of Southwest Michigan’s leading credit unions. Recently married, she, her hubby, and their crazy cat, Angel, call the shores of Lake Michigan home. Follow her on twitter @EmENickerson.