Going green does not necessarily mean spending more money on earth-conscious products. Reusing what you already have is an effective way of contributing to the “reuse, reduce, recycle” mantra. The simple act of recycling an old T-shirt can help save the environment and your wallet. As a college student, money for new clothes and accessories is limited. Old band shirts and free extra-large T-shirts given away at club meetings can finally be put to good use. There are limitless ways a T-shirt can be reused; from scarves to skirts, totes to towels. If you do not have an old T-shirt or refuse to cut yours up, you can be creative and reconfigure old jackets, jeans and sweaters. A simple Tee, patched up jeans, or an old sweater can be transformed into something more with a few everyday tools and the help of easy web tutorials at instructables.com or youtube.com. With a little creativity, a pair of scissors and five minutes, an armpit-stained T-shirt can be given a second life, no sewing machine necessary. We will show you how to recycle your ragged old Tee into a necklace. Keep it for your wardrobe, or give it to a friend, these projects make for easy handmade gifts.
Fringe Scarf:
Wear this fringe scarf to spruce up a plain T-shirt, or pair it with a jacket.
1. Cut off the top of the T-shirt, just below the armpit. Set the top part aside to use in a later project.
2. Flip the T-shirt upside-down and create fringe by cutting ½ to 1-inch strips toward the hem. Stop cutting 2 ½ half inches before the hem.
3. Continue cutting around the width of the shirt and then gently tug on the fringe so it curls in on itself.
Necklace/Cowl
Wear it like a necklace, or double wrap it to create a cowl.
1. Start at the bottom of the T-shirt and cut off the hem.
2. Cut 1-inch strips across the shirt until you reach the armpit (about 12 strips).
3. Stretch out the strips by tugging on them, until they curl inward.
4. Gather the individual strips and tie them together using a spare piece from the sleeve of the shirt.
Bracelet
Wear with everyday clothes, to add an accent.
1. Use the leftover sleeves from the previous projects and cut off the hem.
2. Cut eight ½ inch strips across the sleeve.
3. Stretch the strips so they curl inward, like the T-shirt necklace.
4. Gather the strips and tie them together using ribbon or a spare piece from the shirt.
Written with Erin Bradley.
Originally published in the Daily Titan on September 29, 2010.
