How To Repurpose Your Old T-Shirts Into A Meaningful, Cozy Blanket

One of the most clever ways to use your old T-shirts around your home and garden (the latter on those chilly nights around the fire pit) is to turn them into a memory blanket. Sending them out to a company to do the work is like sorcery: Box them up, mail them, and a professionally sewn quilt provides no-muss gratification for preserving memories is magically returned to your mailbox. Home sewers are known for breaking out their machines and making their own versions. Whether it be playing sports, seeing concerts, or attending family reunions, now comes a new approach that only requires materials, a pair of scissors, nimble fingers, and some patience (a friend offering to help also comes in handy).

It's the no-sew T-shirt blanket, and it's got lots of fans for how easy it is to make for themselves, turn into gifts for others, or donate to the homeless. Start by cutting out an image from each shirt, which could be from the front or the back. Each piece should be a square, with makers recommending it to be about 13 inches. Some use a handheld fabric rotary cutter for more precise edges. The squares can be larger or smaller (especially if the quilt is being made out of children's T-shirts), depending on the look and size you're going for. Lay the panels on the floor or other large flat surfaces, as you'll want them arranged in the blanket. Snap a photo to remember the sequence. And you're almost there.

To begin the assembly process, cut slits down the four sides of each square. Some suggest that the slits should be 1 inch long; others create longer slits. There should not be any set space between them. Then, tie the slits together, following the pattern in your photo and using double-knots. You might hear the material tearing, and that's normal when they are tied tightly. Some opt to add an extra layer of material, such as fleece or an old sheet, to the back of the blanket. The same method is used to attach that material. Cut slits on each corner and tie the material's slits to the T-shirt slits. An alternative method for this upcycle project is to use fabric glue to cobble together the squares and attach the quilt to a fabric underneath sans cutting slits. You might even try glue tape, which is used for DIY tablecloths and requires absolutely zero sewing skills.

There are so many potential themes for T-shirt quilts, from cheer squads to college jobs, that you'll likely end up making more than one memory blanket. You might even decide to go thrifting to find unique or offbeat T-shirts for a project. That means you'll have to learn another thing quickly — how to decorate your home with blankets, from assembling a blanket ladder to creating a blanket basket.