How To Upcycle Dress Shirts Into Quality Fabric | Thrifting Tips and Tricks

[@sewhealthy560]

Oh my😂😂😂, just what I need, more fabric. I love the idea and you make me want to go through my closet and start cutting away. I have used this idea for items that I cut off because they were too long for me. I didn’t have the heart to throw the fabric away so I kept it. Back when we were making masks, I used it for making mask for myself and others. It came in handy. I was glad I saved the fabric. This is the first time I have ever seen one of your videos. It’s a very clever idea especially if you’re a quilter. I’m not a quilter, but do use smaller pieces of natural fiber fabric for doll clothes, tops for hanging tea towels, pot holders and other items. As I mentioned before masks. This is far cheaper than fat quarters. I plan to check out your other videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@pamelaspooner7183]

If you are a gardener, those strips of the seams are great for tying up plants to supports, trellises, etc.

[@mlind1131]

Yes! I do this with all my scraps, ripped pillowcases, old stinky t-shirts…

[@JanHowell]

Great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@dellasimmelink6644]

Yard sales are a great place to get them for cheap. Don't worry about those who think that you are wasting anything. They can take what like from the video and leave what they don't. These are suggestions. I enjoy all your videos. Always have. Keep up the great work you do ❤

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind!

[@annablock8037]

I keep the button on my shirt cuffs and use the cuff to wrap fabric after I roll it.

[@JanHowell]

great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@Sue-ec6un]

Curtain tiebacks...so many curtain tiebacks..I just love making them and using them. And that strip with the button holes...is perfect! Adjustable curtain tiebacks...lol I'll finish watching now... :)

[@sharonlalli1414]

Great idea.❤

[@JanHowell]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[@sewkindandkrafty]

I am a beginner and I love your videos! You are such a great teacher! I have a button jar that was my mothers from the 70's. I have added to it over the years and it is a treasure I will display in my sewing room once completed. Thank you so much!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind!

[@heatherannekennedy9368]

I love this - such a great idea! Fabric is so expensive these days - and thrifting is more expensive than it was, but still reasonable!

[@JanHowell]

Yes, you have to find the good deals. Some places can be quite pricey, even for second-hand

[@rebaschweitzer8847]

I like to look at the uniform tops for fun fabrics as well as huge men's shirts. Also, I am not a quilter. So finding good quality blends appeal to me for projects where those types of fabrics might be more useful than 100% cotton. Saving the label with fiber content with the fabric is very helpful especially on the bigger pieces of fabric.

[@JanHowell]

What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

[@sylviarimbergas7496]

I did this with an army uniform (my relative retired) and made it into a beautiful purse and wallet.

[@JanHowell]

Awesome!

[@donnaschindlbeck7457]

I Love recycling shirts. I often reuse the buttons from designer shirts and make bias tape for other projects. Sometimes I can even get a complete short sleeve or sleeveless top out of one if I salvage the button placket.

[@JanHowell]

Love that!

[@emtharlan7201]

Great advice! And don't forget to check your favorite retailer's clearance sales. I wear a misses size 8 but always check the women's clearance rack. I have found some amazing fabric by buying womens' sizes.

[@JanHowell]

Me too! Clearance racks are the best!

[@tammy1190]

Thanks for the many great ideas Jan. Love this and your storage card idea too! I recycle stretch shirts or bathing suits for crutch underarm covers. I have offended more than one person by cutting these items up. Those who don't sew just can't wrap their head around frugal recycling.

[@JanHowell]

I get it!

[@patriciadavidson3328]

Use shirts all the time… just made a plaid quilt with blues & yellow ❤️

[@JanHowell]

Wonderful!

[@missperfect8424]

I too love fabric. Hopefully when I retire I can make items to sell to supplement my income 🤞

[@JanHowell]

great idea, I hope you can too!

[@maryannadkins8307]

I enjoyed your video!

[@JanHowell]

I'm glad!

[@suefitzpatrick6803]

Great idea! Thanks for the inspiration.

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@lynnries7729]

Garage sales and estate sales too! You can dye those white buttons with ink for fun art projects. I love 100% cotton and linen or a mix of both. Good tips!

[@IndigoSew]

Oooh! What kind of ink? I’d love to have a go at dyeing buttons.

[@JanHowell]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[@bw5762]

Thanks for the tips

[@JanHowell]

No problem!

[@debbiehall4155]

I’ve done this, it’s a great way to get good fabric for not much money. It’s a real bonus if the buttons are cute. Great tutorial.

[@JanHowell]

Thank you!

[@san5987]

Thanks for the video. Now I know what to do with shirts that I no longer want.

[@JanHowell]

You bet!

[@Sandrab769]

I saw a hack to use the cuff to wrap cords for storage. I did that once.

[@JanHowell]

Great idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@veenapurohit9809]

Wow. Ma'm you are soooooo sooo smart. I LOVE TO WATCH ALL YOUR INTERESTING,INFORMATIVE & PE....RFACT MOTIVATED BEAUTIFUL VEDIO. I WAS CONFUSED TO MAKE THE PATCH WORK ON A PAPER BUT WATCHING YOU A FEW TIMES I MADE .YOUR ARTFUL PERFACTION MAKES US BEGINNERS MOTIVATED WHO LOVE SEWING. YOU ARE ONE OF THE BESTEST BEST.❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@JanHowell]

You are so kind!

[@cherylwright9563]

I never really thought about this......Hmmmmm, great idea and yes, the landfill is where many things end up. Not for me now. Thanks

[@JanHowell]

Thank you!

[@faithwellman6272]

Thanks so much - enjoyed and learned ❤

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@janehargreaves3867]

Great tips thankyou🎉

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@alystodola]

Thanks for this video! I had scored some linen 3xl men’s shirts at the thrift and needed help knowing how to break them down!

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome.

[@rhondabland2301]

You can make really cute bracelets out of the cuffs.i like your segments

[@JanHowell]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[@robbinthomas9]

I love this, so helpful! I will be using this when I make some memory quilts for my kids. Thank you for sharing your talents!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind! What a fun idea.

[@patbuegeler7770]

❤❤Quilters would love those small pieces.

[@JanHowell]

I'm sure they would. I don't have room to save everything. I give them away most of the time.

[@Gabi-lt4mx]

Thank you. I asked friends and family for old shirts. Always got beautiful cotton.

[@JanHowell]

great idea

[@dturk1385]

Great video! Thank you!❤😊

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@DonnaBush-ul3gg]

I recently made a memory quilt for a friend, out of his grandpa’s shirts. The only parts I didn’t use, were the collar, button placket, and cuffs! I didn’t have enough left to use for any other projects, but I will definitely start looking for more shirts to store

[@JanHowell]

Awesome!

[@santagreen7360]

Thanks loved this clip

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@PBeeee1]

A little off subject but I also browse for 'performance' items, think gore tex or rip stop nylon, that I cut up to have both material on hand for patching our own gear and to make ditty bags for hiking and camping. I don't take the best items, it seems a shame to cut them up but anything slightly worn usually has plenty of material for small items. I often gift ditty bags to fellow hikers.

[@JanHowell]

I do the same thing! :)

[@rohinibhat4955]

Good ideas always. Thank you!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind!

[@gloriawoods9848]

I put my buttons on a safety pin or in a small plastic bag to keep them together.

[@pamboomer2387]

😊 I use pill containers to store my buttons too

[@margitwes6495]

@gloriawoods9848 Love the idea of buttons on safety pins. I have a ton of buttons(my own collection and my mother's) I need to sort to sell or give away because my kids don't sew.

[@JanHowell]

What an awesome way to keep the "same" buttons together. Love it and Thanks so much for sharing.

[@SallySmith-r5k]

I usexa seam ripper to unpick the stitching on the yoke label rather than cutting it off. That way you get 2 larger yoke pieces

[@JanHowell]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[@theresacooke1606]

Always love your videos!!

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind!

[@lkhorvath4]

Jan! Love this idea. I use cuffs to give to elementary schools after I sew up the edges. A little pocket for lost teeth

[@JanHowell]

What a fun idea. Thanks so much for sharing.

[@Orolomian]

Jan, I love all your great ideas. I wanted to ask you about cutting surfaces when using a rotary cutter. Do you have a preference? And does one surface or another make a difference in the life of the blade?

[@JanHowell]

I've done some research and here is a post and video tutorial where I talk about that. After watching this, if you still have questions, reach out to me. [e-mail] youmakeitsimple.com/2022/01/08/a-beginners-guide-to-rotary-cutting-helpful-tips-and-tricks/

[@jenihansen7201]

THANK YOU

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!

[@karonwostenholme6533]

❤❤❤

[@lauriepayseur5897]

Jan I could hear the gasping in the back… ignore those and do what makes you happy. So much goes to landfills from unsold items at thrift stores every week. You do good work…

[@JanHowell]

Thanks. You are so kind!

[@lalagamma4452]

Great idea Jan. Quote: “The world is a canvas; let your kindness paint it with love.” I bought a wedding gown for $1.50, because they had it for a while and nobody was buying it. If it didn't get purchased at that price it was going to go to the landfill. Question, how do you disassemble something like that. I want to make sure I get the most out of it. I'd love to see you disassemble a skirt too. Huge hugs. Namaste 🐞🐞🐞 Video shared.

[@JanHowell]

That a deal! If the fabric is the type that frays easily. I wouldn't disassemble it until you are going to use it on something. Then I may use a serger or zigzag stitch so it doesn't fray.

[@lalagamma4452]

@@JanHowell TY for responding. ☯️🐞🕉️

[@bw5762]

Can you use bed sheets that is 💯 percent cotton to cut up to use to make clothes?

[@JanHowell]

Absolutely. Sheets are great

[@roberttregidgo6345]

Try asking your local thrift store for rag bags. I work for a little local charity shop. We often have lots of items that either havent sold or never made it to the shop floor (small stains, rips, missing buttons, etc, or things that just wont make money). These are mostly just bagged up and sold to the "rag man", they buy it by weight, so we get a few pennies and get rid of our rubbish. Most charities do the same (i have worked for a few), i have found if you ask you can get whole bags for practically nothing (our shop will do a binbag full for £1) and the shop will get much more than if they ragged it. It can be a bit of a lucky dip but i doubt you will find cheaper fabric.

[@JanHowell]

Thanks so much for sharing.

[@rohinibhat4955]

I would like to make things for babies out of the men's shirts. I worry about "no iron" treatment on them. Any thoughts?

[@JanHowell]

I would avoid those type of shirts if using for babies.

[@icare4bunnies]

OMG you could sell bags of cuffs, collars, trimmings! So sad watching them get tossed!! I use them all the time!

[@RoxanneR8375]

How do you use them?

[@icare4bunnies]

@@RoxanneR8375 patchwork, designs, artwork... There are many folks who do boho, grunge, or folksy upcycles and use even the seams they have trimmed and random zippers as decoration for their creations. I love it when the trimmings are used! It's not a look everyone embraces but so much fun.

[@RoxanneR8375]

@@icare4bunnies It does sound like fun! Thanks for answering!

[@JanHowell]

You have some fun ideas going! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@nixhixx]

Lots of waste... and $5 is tooooooo much, I get my shirts for 99c! when you cut your buttons off (a seam ripper is a really fast way to get them off) sew them together for projects that need more than one of a kind.

[@emtharlan7201]

I like to use buttons to store earrings. One button can hold a pair.

[@harperreads]

It totally depends on where you live. I was thinking $5 was a pretty good price.

[@JanHowell]

great idea

[@JanHowell]

Thanks for sharing

[@lindaskinner5887]

Thank you for sharing a great idea. ❤

[@JanHowell]

You are so welcome!