Recycling Old Nightshirts for Crafts

Recycling an old nightshirt for craft projects can save money

While recycling cans, bottles and newspapers is second nature to many people, recycling old clothes isn't as common. Although you may not see much use in keeping items such as old nightshirts around, they can be quite useful as supplies for craft projects. Recycling old nightshirts for crafts can help you save money and provide a more personal touch and vintage feel to your crafts.

Benefits of Using Nightshirts

Using old nightshirts for crafts may be preferable to other types of clothing because of their characteristics. Nightshirts tend to be larger than regular shirts, so they provide more fabric for multiple projects or simply one more involved project. Additionally, nightshirts typically feature one consistent pattern, which can ensure consistency throughout your project. Lastly, nightshirts are often inexpensive, so if you make a mistake and need to procure more material, doing so is not a financial burden.

Old Nightshirt Crafts for Kids

Thanks to the large size of nightshirts, you may be able to make multiple crafts for your children. If you have young children, a simple craft idea would be to make a bib. This can be done by cutting two identical bib-shaped pieces of fabric and sewing them together, then adding snaps to secure the bib around your child's neck. You can also make a pair of pants for a toddler -- the sleeves of the shirt act as legs for the pants.

Old Nightshirt Crafts for Adolescents

Making clothing out of an old nightshirt can be complicated if you have older children, so other projects may be appropriate. If your child is going off to college, you can send her away with a quilt or pillowcase made of one or more old nightshirts; this can help a dorm room feel like home. You also can make a bag or purse out of an old nightshirt to provide a vintage accessory or an environmentally friendly alternative to plastic grocery bags.

Old Nightshirt Crafts for Adults

Some recycled old nightshirt crafts can be suitable for adults. If your main concern is practicality, turning an old nightshirt into a series of rags or a towel for washing pets can be simple and effective. Additionally, you can make a pair of unique throw pillows, pajama bottoms, boxers or even a personalized Christmas stocking from recycled old nightshirts. If you have many old nightshirts, you can create a large patchwork quilt so you can keep newer, store-bought quilts and blankets at home when going on picnics.

References

• Craft Knife: Bib It
• IndieTutes: Happy Bum Pants From Sleeves
• Martha Stewart: T-Shirt Bag