How to use Band Name Shirts

Even when a T-shirt passes its prime, you can still put it to good use.

T-shirts are wardrobe staples for many people and often outlast everything else in the closet. They are durable, comfortable and inexpensive. People often form deep attachments to band T-shirts, with vintage editions commanding prices that exceed the cost of brand new tees. However, even T-shirts wear out over time. Rather than discarding an old T-shirt that has sentimental value but is no longer wearable, you can repurpose the shirt and turn it into a new item altogether.

Things You'll Need

• Old T-shirts
• Scissors
• Thread
• Needle or sewing machine
• Canvas tote bag
• Fleece fabric
• Muslin fabric

Instructions

1. Create a throw pillow. Cut a large square out of your band T-shirt from an area that contains the imagery. Cut an equal-sized piece of fabric from cotton or flannel and attach the pieces by sewing or applying fabric glue to three sides. Before you seal shut the final side, stuff the square pouch with pillow stuffing, then sew or glue the final seam.

2. Cut the logo off the T-shirt and attach it to a canvas tote. Affix the band image to the front of the bag with fabric glue or by stitching it. You can also create a tote entirely out of the T-shirt. Turn the shirt inside out, and stitch or glue the bottom hem, front and back, together. Cut off the sleeves and neckline so that the shirt resembles a tank top. Turn the bag right side out and carry it as a tote, using the augmented armholes as handles.

3. Make a laptop case. Lay the shirt out in front of you, front side up. Fold the bottom hem of the shirt up, to meet the neckline. Place your laptop horizontally on the center of the folded shirt and draw two parallel vertical lines about 2 inches from the sides of the laptop. Remove the laptop and sew the sides of the T-shirt together on these lines. Flip the pouch inside out, revealing the band logo on the front. Tuck in the sleeves and additional fabric to add extra cushioning around your computer when it is in the case.

4. Turn the shirt into a scarf. Lay the shirt flat, and cut horizontally across the chest, just under the sleeves. Discard the sleeve portion. Cut a 1-inch-wide fringe that extends roughly one-third the length of the shirt. Try to position the fringe so that it cuts through some of the shirt design, but not all of it. Continue cutting through both layers of the fabric all the way across until you have fringed the entire lower portion. Hold each strip at its base, where it attaches to the shirt, and pull the strip from the bottom. This will cause the strip to roll and appear more narrow. Do this to each strip. Cut along one of the seams of the shirt. Drape the final product loosely around your neck.

5. Cut the logo away from the T-shirt and sew it to a muslin square. Use the square as a patch in a quilt. Embellish the square with decorative stitching if desired.

References

• Makezine: Make a T-shirt Laptop Case
• Craftbits: T-shirt Pillow
• Tshirt Tote: Basic Tshirt Tote
• Daily Candy: How to Make a Fringe Scarf from an Old T-Shirt