How to upcycle clothes that are too small! If you have a favorite tshirt that you or your kids have outgrown, there is a simple way to chop it up and turn it into an applique on a brand new, bigger shirt! Here’s a full upcycle tutorial with more photos of refashion inspiration along the same lines. This is the quickest, cheapest way to refashion kids clothes, especially since you can use shirts with holes and stains to keep them out of the landfill.
My kids have never gotten super attached to specific pieces of clothes, but I always keep things they’ve outgrown when the shirts aren’t easily worn again due to holes, stains, pilling, etc. I’ve turned them into stuffed animals, Christmas ornaments, and patches in the past but now I’m sharing the simplest option which is a way to refashion a too small tshirt!
I actually used three other old tshirt scraps to add color and layers to this design! You can see the dodgy stitching here; I have tips below on how to avoid it, I’m not that finicky about details. You can spot where I swapped the chest pocket to the arm too, just for fun.
Here is another shirt I made in a similar style, except this one I started from scratch, upcycling two other adult shirts for the sleeves and the body. This is my favorite way to make shirts from scratch because you reuse the hems, see this post on !
And another example! I had fun adding the shapes on this one and it’s been a big hit with my kid. The shark also covered up the lame logo on the orange tshirt, which was a double win.
If you like this post, check these out while you’re here!
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how to upcycle clothes that are too small
Supplies
- Rotary cutter and/or sharp scissors – Shop rotary cutter: [Etsy – – ]
- Ballpoint or jersey needles – Shop: [Etsy – – ]
- Iron – Shop: – (this is the iron I’ve used for years happily)]
- Glue stick and/or a transfer product – I used here
Steps
Step 1- Cut up the side seams to maximize your usable fabric! Then cut out around your design – keeping in mind you need some space to sew around it.
Step 2- Time to add a layer. I alternated between no Heat N Bond and using it; if you’re using multiple layers it can get a little thick but it does lay smoother and sew cleaner, so it is just personal preference. In these I used a featherweight Heat N Bond that is even thinner than Lite. If you’re not using Heat N Bond, a glue stick or pins will help keep it in place. If you’ve never used Heat N Bond or appliqued, check out this post for even more details and photos – .
I definitely recommend using it for any small pieces, it keeps the edges from rolling up.
Step 3- Time to sew! Make sure you’re using ballpoint needles; I have a walking foot here but it isn’t necessary unless you’re using bulky knits. I’d recommend doing some trial/test stitches on scraps before getting started in case you need to adjust stitch length or tension.
Step 4- Keep layering as you go! You can see the difference in smoothness in the final picture of where I used a glue stick vs the Heat N Bond.
Step 5- Finish sewing, give it all a nice press, and you’re done!
Let me know if you have any questions, I will keep doing these as we get into my kids’ summer wardrobes and update this post with more examples!
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