Are you like me? Do you have lots of tee shirts that you can’t really wear anymore because there’s a stain or even a tiny hole? I have a drawer full of them and I keep them because, in my spare time, I’ll draw on one with fabric paints, or sew a couple of fabric scraps on to make small patchwork accents, or otherwise repair the shirts. That way, you not only get more wear out of the shirt, but you constantly seem to have new clothes. Sadly, some t-shirts just can’t be saved. There’s a huge bleach stain or one has paint all over it. With t-shirts that can no longer be worn, you can create beautiful scarves that can further extend the life of the shirts, while making something new and useful.
A t-shirt scarf is one of those things that never has an identical twin. Each scarf looks different because each one is made with a different variety of shirts. Although you can use any t-shirt – short sleeve or long – to make the scarf, stick with all lightweight or all heavyweight shirts for best results. Graphic t-shirts work especially well because they add color and interest to the scarf.
It takes 20 or so squares – cut from the t-shirts – to make the front of the scarf and that many more to make the back. The exact amount of squares you’ll need depends on how short or long you want the scarf to be.
Use a business-size envelope to make a pattern for the scarf squares. First, lay the envelope on a piece of paper and draw around it. Then, draw a picture frame-type arrangement around that square, using another object with that shape, or just drawing it freehand. Cut out the square which was the original envelope and you’ll have a window pattern you can use for cutting graphic image sections for the scarf.
Cut the envelope-size squares from the scarves then align them on a table, two-by-two. Place two squares side-by-side, then two more side-by-side squares under those two, and so on. Sew the squares of one row together, sew the squares of the other row together, then sew the two rows together. Trim and press the seams.
Create a second set of sewn squares, as stated above, to make the backside of the scarf. Stack the two sets so that their right sides face, sew around all but one short side, then turn the scarf right-side-out, and stitch the opening shut.
The beautiful t-shirt scarf can be worn in the spring, summer, and fall. Depending on the colors and graphics you combine, the scarves are suitable for men, women, and children. They’re unique, comfy because they’re t-shirts, and really simple to make.
T-Shirt Scarf