5-Minute T-Shirt Pillowcase

How-to Make a Pillowcase From a T-Shirt

My boys have so many t-shirts....most that have seen better days.  One of the boys had a shirt I was particularly fond of {I love the silly thing!} and couldn't part with no matter how hard I tried.  It had a tear underneath one of the armpits that could not be patched but the rest of it was in pretty good shape.  I had the idea that it was about the size of a standard pillowcase and already had a finished seam at the bottom.  With nothing to lose, I pulled out my serger and got to work.  If you don't have a serger no worries, just use a good old straight stitch. In less than 5 minutes I had a pillowcase.

T-Shirt to Pillowcase Tutorial: 

1.  Turn your t-shirt inside out and smooth it flat.  Next, sew/serge a straight line from the bottom hem up past the sleeve to the shoulder seam.  Do this on both sides.  I 'eyed' mine up but you could certainly mark a straight line from the bottom up past the sleeve to the shoulder seam.   


2.  With the front neckline facing upward, stitch from one side seam to the other.  Again, you can mark a straight line from side to side but I just visualized my line.

3.  Cut off the neckline and collar ABOVE the stitching.

4.  Turn your shirt/pillowcase right side out and add your pillow.  That's it!  A quick and easy way to recycle/repurpose a t-shirt.

Now I'm looking through the boys' drawers searching for more t-shirts - if I'm lucky I may find enough old t-shirts to make a quilt!

Recycle a favorite t-shirt into a pillowcase in 5 minutes - get the tutorial at cupcakesandcrinoline.com Recycle, upcycle and getting your sewing craft on with this useful craft.
hugs, mb new logo March 2016

Here's another t-shirt upcycle you may like - a t-shirt tote bag.  These would be great for sleepovers, lunch bags or to carry groceries home from the store.  There are so many possibilities!

T-shirt-tote-bag-for-kids at cupcakesandcrinoline.com being-modeled

Get the directions here - T-Shirt Tote Bag for Kids

Recycle a favorite t-shirt into a pillowcase in 5 minutes - get the tutorial at cupcakesandcrinoline.com Recycle, upcycle and getting your sewing craft on with this useful craft.

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20 Comments

  1. Such a great idea! The knit fabric would be soft and comfy too....thank you for sharing this! I'm pinning it on Pinterest. 🙂

  2. Debra Kapellakis says:

    Thank you for giving me a way to use the ones I just couldn't toss or use as kitchen rags.

  3. Amie @ Pinkapotamus says:

    This is such a clever way to reuse old t-shirts and I just adore this one.. sooo funny! Thanks so much for sharing with the Pink Hippo party! Can't wait to see what you share next!

  4. Great idea MB! And you amaze me with your crafty versatility... xoxoxo

  5. Beth @ Aunt B's Kitchen says:

    Nice recycling idea! I have a grandson who loves his jersey sheets. He'd enjoy these pillowcases.

  6. This looks like a super comfy pillow. It's so fun too!:)

  7. What a great idea!! Love the recycling! Thanks so much for sharing at Thursday's Temptation.
    Jill

  8. That is a cool and those Life Is Good shirts are really cute! Great idea! Thanks for linking up and shring this week at the Creative Inspirations Party at Embracing Chnage! Please come back again soon!!!
    Stacey

  9. Jenn/Rook No. 17 says:

    Mary Beth, I love this project! What a great way to give a second life to a favorite t-shirt! It would be a great way to decorate a dorm room or any child's room. My daughter has one-of-those t-shirts that I can't pry away. Perhaps she'll let me immortalize it in a pillow!

  10. Audra Curtis says:

    I found you through Jillee and I think I love you!!! (You know - in an I-want-to-be-your-best-friend kind of way.)

    1. You brought the biggest smile to my face...thanks for your sweetness my new BFF : )

  11. I would love to see any shirts you make. : )

  12. This is an awesome idea. I wanted to buy something for my nephew as he goes off to college but I don't have any extra cash. Now I can make him something that will remind him of home. Thank you so much!

    1. You're welcome, Lisa ~ what a great going away gift idea. : )

  13. Pingback: graduation gift ideas–part III–gifts you can sew | red flannel pantry
  14. Your way to do this looks great! Did you cut off the sleeves too? I’m assuming that you did, but I don’t see a comment about doing so in your post. Thanks!

    1. Mary Beth says:

      Hi Kathy! Thank you so much and I'm glad you like the t-shirt pillowcase and good catch - yes, you do cut the sleeves off!