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Bring those tees back to life

Here at ICON we love t-shirts. But even the most-loved top will wear down over the years. We all have some old t-shirts lying around, but there are lots of ways to bring them back to life. Here are some ideas and inspiration for what to do with the clothing so that it doesn’t end up in landfill.

Wrap skirts

Wrap skirts made with panels of old T’shirts, using a variety of colours and slogans can lead to creative and unsual designs. Also, wrap skirts are one size fits all and super easy to make and wear. 

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More #skirts for @recycledartsfestival in just a few more days! As always, DM for direct purchase info. #recycledfashion #upcycledtshirts #recycledtees #recycledtshirts #deathnote #pnwlove #sustainableclothingmovement #sustainableliving #movethedate

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Dresses

Alternatively, smaller panels can be sewn together to make a dress (you can keep the top of a t’shirt for the arms and shoulders). 

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#small or #medium #knee #length #dress #oldtshirts #recycledtshirts #starwars#perfect #funothing #oneofakind

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Rugs

You can make T’shirt ‘yarn’ by cutting T’shirts into strips – wrap around an old bottle or anything in a cylindrical shape. The resulting yarn can has many potential uses – including to weave it into a rug, bath matt, basket or cushion cover.

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Summer vibes for your floor. https://etsy.me/2XvAloH

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Necklace

These usual necklaces turn your old t’shirts into statement fashion.

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YELLOWS!!!!!! As most of you know, I make necklaces from recycled shirts and saris, just a bit of fun creating ethical sustainable wearable art!…. these are on sale for August…. HALF PRICE! Most are only $20! AUGUST ONLY… I can send anywhere in Australia for $9 ❤️ #wearableart #recycled #upcycled #recycledshirts #recycledtshirts #recycledjewellery #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #imadethese #sunshinecoast #cottontree #maroochydore #localbusiness #funjewellery

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Name tags

Using the text on T’shirts to create newspaper collage style name tags is a nice idea.

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some RADGIRL custom name tags in action this week. makes me happy to get these pics! 💛 thanks @nancyjaybird @hkmk2015

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Top

Or you can just refashion parts of T’shirt to create a new, perhaps more stylish and flattering top.

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Kick ass summer top Jessica finished for her best friend, Janneth! #craft #fashion #stitch #recycledtshirts #misfits #punk (I’m always learning where my old t-shirts end up 😎)

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Baby clothes

Babies get through so many clothes that creating them from old T’shirts is much more sustainable. 

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When #ATLUTD doesn’t make baby clothes, you have to improvise by cutting up some old T-shirt’s and turning them into rompers. #babycleeren #sewingmama #recycledtshirts

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Lampshade

An illuminating idea for old t-shirt yarn!

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New lampshades by @ashantidesign made from #recycledtshirts #casanovagallery #colourmysummer #handmadetextiles #handwoven #madeinafrica #interiorlovers #zerowaste #sustainablefabrics #wovenbyhand #folkartmarketweek

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Bag

Sometimes the messaging on T’shirts carries nostalgic memories for old favourite bands or sports teams. If you don’t want to wear them as T’shirts anymore, repurposing as a bag is a nice way to keep them in your life, while still having a practical use:

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Lined quilt storage t-shirt bag I finished for the swim quilt. I repurposed drawstrings from some of his sweatshirts to use for the drawstring closure. I love the box bottom which allows the bag to stand on its own! . . . #tshirtbag #tshirtquiltmaker #quiltbag #quiltbags #recycledclothing #recycledtshirt #recycledtshirts #tshirtrecycling #46thavequilts

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Or you can use one T’shirt as a bag by simply cutting the sleeves off and sewing the bottom together. 

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#ReleeTotes #recycledtshirts $2 perbag goes to #thekidneyfoundation can be found at @sweetpeaspantrytoo #osgoode and @lemarluxe #prescott #greatbags #coolbags #retrobags #shopmysupporters #sociallyconscious #ecofriendly

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Quilt

Another nice way to preserve memories is to make a quilt from old T’shirts, especially through the generations.

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Handmade t shirt quilt made for my daughter. Using all her favourite old t shirts! #handmade #quiltsofinstagram #quilting #quilt #recycledtshirts #sewing

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