Kristen Joy: T-Shirt Time

Who doesn't have an old t-shirt that they either neglect or are thinking about tossing...

...We all do.

So instead of forgoing them any longer how about re-purposing them .

Check out my latest segment on Mirror Mirror with the ever so lovely Ms. Rebecca Speara.

Rebecca and I about to tackle 5 ways to re-purpose a T-shirt.

VEST

Spread an old t-shirt flat on a table
To create a pattern on top with a thick marker, draw across the collar, along the armpits, down the side and across the bottom
Grab your (sharp) scissors and start cutting along your pattern
When you're finished, it's all about how you put it on -- put both arms through the circle and let it fall like a vest!

RACERBACK

Lay your t-shirt flat on a table
Grab a marker and create a one-inch border around the collar, pressing hard with your marker so it bleeds through to the other side
Draw another dotted line about one inch from the bottom hem of the shirt
Then draw another dotted line about an inch above that line
Flip the shirt over and follow the same pattern on the sleeves
Create a V along the neckline
Cut out your pattern
To make the racerback part, take the extra piece that you cut from the bottom and stretch it out
Cut it open to make one long strip
Gather the sleeves about two inches from the top and knot the strip around the sleeves
Then wrap the strip around and around, pulling tight and knotting it at the end

ACCESSORIES

Fold a t-shirt in half, then quarters, then eighths
Cut one inch wide strips
Snip the pieces into long strips and pull to stretch out
Next, do a five strand braid...
Gather the ends of five stands together, knot them, and lay the strands out straight on the table
Starting at the right, take the end stand and cross it over the one next to it
Then take the middle strand and cross it over the one next to it in the same direction
Take the leftover stand and cross it over the stand next to it heading back in the other direction
Keep crossing the strands the same way, back and forth
Knot both ends and make a bracelet or necklace or headband!

WATERMARK

Grab an old t-shirt and lay it flat.
Write out lyrics, poems or favorite quotes with Elmer's Gel Glue.
Allow the glue to completely dry, may take 45 min.
Create your dye bath, instructions are HERE
Dunk shirt in for 5-15 min. in dye bath depending on desired. Make sure to wear gloves so your pretty nails do not find themselves dyed.
Remove shirt from bath and let it dry.
Wash in cold water and dry normally.

BLEACH OUT

Create your pattern and draw on contact paper, sticky side down.
Razor cut your image on contact paper.
Take your dark t-shirt and lay it flat.
Make sure to put a thick piece of cardboard imbetween shirt.
Peel off back side paper from contact sheet and place sticky side down on t-shirt.
Scrub Clorax Bleach Pen over pattern.
Allow bleach to completely dry.
Peel of contact paper.
Wash in cold water seperately and dry normally.
Enjoy your cute "T'.