An Easy Repurpose of a T-shirt into Wall Art
If you’re looking for a diy craft project for your old tshirts or clothing, learn how to easily upcycle a t shirt into creative wall art.
Today I have a super quick project. Now I know that normally I don’t do these quick projects, but in this case it was necessary. If you’re looking for a diy craft project for your old tshirts or other clothing, learn how to easily upcycle a t shirt into wall art.
My sweet daughter made this t-shirt years ago.
Oh did I ever tell you the girls had a t-shirt business? The older one was in charge of the finances and the younger one was the creative genius. She would sit there and painstakingly copy images onto t-shirts. It was a lot of work, and she burned out after a few months of doing it. But it was her first taste of running a business.
Back to the tshirt. Of course she’s all grown up now and she doesn’t wear it any more. She wanted to get rid of it. But I, being the proud mama, was not about to let her throw it out! Instead I did an easy tshirt upcycle and made fun wall art.
Just look at that cute face! No way was that going into the recycling bin!
I noticed a stain on the t-shirt and instead of doing the logical thing and washing it, I covered it up instead. In my defense, it was a nasty smudge, so I don’t know if it would have come out.
Instead I sewed some pretty buttons on top of the smudge.
How to Upcycle a Tshirt into Wall Art
I had this embroidery hoop lying around the house and figured I’d use that.
I used to do a lot of embroidery when I was younger (read before kids) but now I don’t have time at all. It was always a fun and relaxing activity for me.
I placed the tshirt through the hoop and tightened it. I didn’t even bother to cut it into a circle. But I did fasten the fabric in the back with a stapler. This ensured that it wouldn’t be flying all over the place.
I also added a brown cord and a black ribbon so I could hang the hoop on the wall. The brown cord matches the wood of the hoop and of course the black goes with her drawing.
You have to admit, I did a pretty good job of hiding the smudge on the tshirt.
How could she have thought I’d let her throw out this little masterpiece?
And so the day was saved and so was that awesome (according to me) tshirt that I easily repurposed into wall art!
Now spill the beans! I know your kids or nieces and nephews create masterpieces all the time. What do you do with them? Are you a hoarder like me or do you get rid of little gems like this?
For additional t shirt upcycle ideas, check out this easy upcycled tshirt bag as well as t shirt yarn you can make!
You may also like:
Wow! That’s such a lovely project! I’m so glad you were able to save the art and the memories that come with it…. The wall art turned out fantastic! Wonderful idea!
Thank you Andrea. I imagine it can be done with any sentimental piece of clothing that you don’t want to get rid of.
What a great way to preserve fond memories. The little painted figure is charming and whimsical. Covering the stain with buttons was a stroke of genius. This is such a sweet project!
Thank you so much Mimi. It is one way to hold onto her childhood.
First Mary–how wonderful that your girls worked together for the t-shirts!!
And what a great idea of covering the stain with buttons. This could totally work even for a piece of clothing!!
The result turned out great!!
I know many quilters who take t-shirts and make them into a collage quilt!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I was thinking the same thing Jodie. An interesting pattern on a piece of clothing would make wonderful art.
As for the quilting, if only I could!! Thanks for stopping by.
You are the queen of repurposing Mary! So simple and so gorgeous!
Aww thank you so much Christina. If only my kids thought I was a queen then I’d be happy! 😉
That is adorable Mary. What a wonderful keepsake!
A small way to hold onto those moments intime Tuula! Thank you.
What a cute t-shirt! Your daughter is very talented. She must get it from you. That’s a beautiful, and very sentimental, wall hanging
Thank you so much Rebecca. I really wanted to hold onto this to show her that even when she was younger she still had talent.
Such a talented daughter you have, Mary. I love how you repurposed her artwork! I have a talented daughter, as well. Unfortunately she’s a minimalist and wants to throw everything out. While I can’t keep everything, I at least get a picture of her work before we pass it on for someone else to enjoy 😀 Wouldn’t it be great if we’re both working for our daughters some day?! 😀 Have a great weekend!
Ahh you feel me Cynthia. Just the other day she said to me in our next house we should do minimal! What do I say to her now?? I think we would drive each other crazy! haha!
It is a gorgeous drawing Mary and I wouldn’t have thrown it either. Making it into a wall art is a fantastic idea – you’ve got a piece of your child’s art to treasure and enjoy. I also checked out Ina’s you tube channel – she is doing a fantastic job!
Thank youso much Maya. She works so hard at making those video’s. It;s her way of expressing herself and I am really proud of her because I could never do what she does. It takes even longer than to write a blog post.
Mary, I love this graphics! I would absolutely wear it! Did your daughter draw it? I would not get rid of it neither – great idea to turn it into a wall art!
Yes Nadia, she saw the design somewhere and drew it onto the t-shirt. She used fabric paint. But I really liked it and although she doesn’t wear it anymore I wanted to preserve it.
Mary, this is such an awesome tshirt! Your daughter is quite the artist. What a fantastic idea to frame the shirt. I love how you hid the stain, very clever! I think this is a sweet way to save a treasured project.
Thank you Keri. Pretty soon you’ll have more special things and keepsakes, more than you’ll know what to do with and where to store them. So much joy and so many memories.
Came over from nifty thrifty. Sew cute! The embroidery hoop makes a good “picture” frame. I want to run out and buy a bunch of sharpies for my daughter now, so she can draw me a good picture on some fabric!!
Sharpies would be a great idea. Mine used fabric paint and that is how she got that thick texture. I think anything they draw for us is a masterpiece.
This is genius Mary, I so wish I had thought of it when the kids were little and I had to get rid of all their adorable little T shirts with pictures on, as they grew out of them. Will definitely keep this in the back of my mind for when an opportunity pops up 🙂
I’m sure many opportunities will pop up they are still young. And you’ll be able to preserve these moments in time.
What a sweet way to preserve such a treasure! Good work Mama! I’m sure your daughter feels so loved and you get to keep a special memory front and center!
She is at an age where she is happy but she is “so over it”. You know the stage. I’m sure she’ll be happy that I did this later on.
Hi Mary, your daughter is so talented, I wonder where she gets it from? I’m surprised you don’t go into business together. I like what you’ve done with the teeshirt too. I have kept things my children made, but none of them are show worthy, they are just the sort of things a Mum keeps. We did make one of my daughters favourite tee-shirts into a cushion when she outgrew it though.
xx
Debbie everything is show worthy if it has value for you. Art doesn’t have to be fancy it has to have meaning for the viewer and be loved. I think you can find lots of special things to put on display.
Mary, what a wonderful way to keepsake any tee shirt for a child. It is a really sweet illustration and has so much sentimental value for you both.
Yes it does Debbie. And although she may not appreciate it now she will thank me later.
You and your daughters are so creative, Mary! I just love this! What a great way to preserve a special t-shirt and turn it into wall art!
Celeste, start taking notes. Your house will be full of keepsakes and special sentimental things before you know it.
What a fantastic idea and a great way for a keepsake and to brighten a wall well done
Thank you Jennie. I at least am glad I won this battle and get to keep the t-shirt.
Mary you are a perfect proud mother! This is so cute and beautiful! I really need to get some hoops!
Katerina thank you for your sweet words. I’m just happy we get to keep the t-shirt. 😉
Mary,
The T-shirt art is fantastic. Your daughter is very talented and takes after her very talented mom! This is a great idea to preserve a wonderful memory!
Thank you Laurie. It was super easy to do and I got to keep the t-shirt, with no more complaints from her. .
Hi Mary: This is an adorable little character, it would have been sad to toss her out. You can certainly be proud of her drawing skills. This is a wonderful way to preserve the memory. Congratulations, teenagers working on their own business is not a common thing. No wonder your so proud.
The business didn’t last for long but it did give them a taste of the real world. Thanks you so much Leanna!