Old T-Shirt Gifts: No-Sew Tote Bags and Braided Rugs

By Kelly · Updated 2026-10-17

Repurposing jersey t-shirts into gifts reduces textile waste and requires no specialized sewing equipment. These projects utilize the natural stretch and non-fraying properties of knit cotton to create durable items for the home.

Techniques for T-Shirt Upcycling

• Use 100% cotton shirts for better knot stability and moisture absorption.
• Wash and dry all garments before cutting to ensure the fabric has reached its final shrunk size.
• Remove side seams when creating continuous yarn to prevent bulky bumps in your braids.
• Stretch cut strips firmly to encourage the raw edges to curl inward for a cleaner look.

No-Sew Fringe Tote Bag

ages 10+ · 30 min · about $0

• 100% cotton t-shirt
• fabric scissors
• ruler
• tailor's chalk or a pencil

1. Lay the shirt flat and cut off both sleeves just inside the shoulder seams.
2. Cut out the neckline in a deep 'U' or 'O' shape to create the bag handles.
3. Determine the desired depth of the bag and draw a straight horizontal line across the bottom with chalk, approximately 4 inches from the hem.
4. Cut vertical slits from the bottom hem up to the chalk line, spaced 1 inch apart, through both layers of fabric to create fringe.
5. Tie each front fringe piece to its corresponding back fringe piece using a tight double knot.
6. To close any small gaps between knots, tie a fringe piece from one pair to a fringe piece from the adjacent pair.

Coiled Braided Floor Mat

Adult · 4 hours · about $5

• 5 to 8 large t-shirts in coordinating colors
• fabric scissors
• heavy-duty upholstery thread
• large-eye sewing needle
• safety pin

1. Cut the t-shirts into long, continuous strips 2 inches wide, discarding the hemmed edges.
2. Pull the strips taut until they curl into rounded tubes of t-shirt yarn.
3. Secure three strips together at the top with a safety pin and braid them tightly together.
4. As you reach the end of a strip, cut a small slit in the end and loop a new strip through it to continue the braid without knots.
5. Coil the finished braid on a flat surface, keeping it level to avoid a bowl shape.
6. Use the needle and upholstery thread to whipstitch the edges of the braid together as you coil, pulling the thread tight every 2 inches.
7. Tuck the final tail of the braid under the rug and sew it securely to the bottom layer.

Safety note: When cutting through multiple layers of jersey fabric, use sharp fabric shears to prevent hand fatigue and ensure clean edges. Always cut on a flat, stable surface.