5 Easy Ways To Upcycle A T-shirt

Ever since I started working in the cannabis industry I've been inundated with brand swag and the most common of all the swags is a t-shirt. Even if you don't work in weed chances are you have your fair share of tees lying around, and some of them might be in need of a refresh. That's where upcycling comes in, with minimal supplies you can turn an old or unwanted t-shirt into a coveted piece that will get worn over and over again. Whether it's a few cuts or a full on transformation, there are a number of ways that you can get crafty on a tee, so keep reading to get inspired.

Add Iron-Ons

Iron-ons are one of the easiest way to give a plain tee some personal style, not only are there endless customizations but you'll only need an iron to make it happen. I have a Cricut machine that helps me cut all sorts of materials, including iron-ons. Even if you don't have a special cutting machine you can still buy the material and cut out your designs by hand. You could even make some templates or stencils if you want a more precise graphic or just freehand it for something more artsy.

Make A Skirt

Did you know that with a few simple stitches you could make a t-shirt turn into a skirt? And furthermore, if you have a long sleeved tee you could eliminate the sewing altogether! The neck of a stretchy tee makes a great elastic waistband, and if you take off the neck band you'll add even more stretch to accommodate more waist sizes. As far as the arm sleeves, you can cut them off and sew the holes shut or just sew it to fit how you want and then cut off the excess. You could even leave the sleeves on and tie them in the front or side to add more detail. No matter which way you choose to do it, this project won't take more than an hour to get done.

Bedazzle It

Probably my most favorite way to upcycle any item is by adding some sparkle! You can always take the easy route and find iron-on rhinestones, but you'll be at the whim of whatever designs or patterns they offer. If you want to be able to create your own design you'll most likely have to do it the hard way, stone by stone. It sounds tedious, and it can be, but with the right size rhinestones, proper tools and a strong glue it'll be a breeze!

Add A Trim

If you can sew or have a reliable fabric glue then adding trim to your t-shirt will definitely help you change up the vibe. Most craft or fabric stores have whole sections dedicated to different styles of trim or other ways to finish hems. Whether you opt for elastic, faux feathers or pom poms, trims are an excellent design element option. They can be added to the bottom hem, arm holes, neckline or even strategically placed directly onto the shirt itself to refresh a plain tee.

Cut It Up

The best projects are always the ones that require as few supplies as possible, and this definitely qualifies because all you need are scissors. Since t-shirts tend to be made from materials that don't fray, you can make any kind of cut and not have to worry about the finishing. Whether you opt to cut some peek-a-boo slits on the side or go full on fringe, once you make the cuts your work is done! You can open up the neckline slightly or do a bigger cut and make it an off the shoulder tee, or you could even turn it into a v-neck with the right cuts. The trick is to use sharp scissors and make your cuts as even or straight as possible since you won't be hemming the edges.

So which project do you think you'll try? Remember, no matter which one, or ones, you choose the key is to use your creativity and have fun customizing your clothes!

Happy Crafting!