Reduce, Reuse, Refashioned
Welcome
The RRR project aims to improve sustainability by impacting textile waste using upcycling (a method of taking outdated/unwanted textile items and creating them into something new). We bring upcycling to LSU’s campus by using an abundant campus resource- deadstock (unwanted/outmoded) promotional t-shirts.
Students receive/purchase t-shirts for sporting events, clubs, and other promotional events. However, to provide all sizes, some t-shirts may be unused leaving extra product that oftentimes is outdated. The goal of this project is to reduce waste by making upcycling craft kits that can be made from deadstock t-shirts. The project also educates students about textile waste and upcycling.
Project Investigators:
- Dr. Casey Stannard, stannard@lsu.edu
Instructional Videos
Below are video resources for assembling the craft kits. Some of the skills may not be necessary for you to learn, based on the level of kit that you received (for example a luggage tag kit does not require attaching earring hooks).
T-Shirt Tote Bag
Confetti Bracelet
Spiral Knot Keychain
Josephine Knot Necklace
Upcycled T-shirt Pet Toy
Instructional PDFs
Project Materials & Instructions
Box Knot Pet Toy
Materials
- (4) 2” x 36” strips of t-shirt
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Marking tool
Instructions:
1. Cut 2” wide by the width of t-shirt (along hem). Cut strips in half to get 4 total. Can be the same color or two different colors. Pull strips at each end to make the sides roll.
2. Tie all four strands together in a knot at one of the ends.
3. Follow guide on how to tie the box knot. Make 18 knots or until desired length.
4. Tie a knot in all t-shirt strands together to finish.
* adding t-shirt confetti, rhinestones, or other decorative materials is not recommend for safety of the pet.
Small t-shirt will make a 15” toy
Spiral Knot Keychain
Materials
- (2) 1 ¼” x 36” strips of t-shirt (46” pulled
- Keyring
- Scissors
- Ruler
Marking tool
Optional supplies:
- t-shirt confetti
- rhinestones
- other decorative materials
Instructions:
1. Cut 1 ¼” wide by the width of t-shirt (along hem). To make a 7” keychain, you will need approximately 36” strips cut. Pull the strips at each end to make the sides roll.
2. Find the middle of the strips by folding them in half. Slide the keyring to the middle.
3. Start the spiral knot by following the instruction guide. Make 13 knots or until desired length.
4. Tie knot at the end to finish.
5. Optional: Add t-shirt confetti, rhinestones, or other decorative materials to the keychain.
Small t-shirt will make a 7” keychain
Confetti Bracelet
Materials
- (3) 1 ¼” x 14” strips of t-shirts for bracelet base
- Approximately (45-60) ½” x 5” strips for confetti
- 2 pinch clamps
- 1 jump ring
- 1 clasp
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Marking tool
Optional Supplies:
- Rhinestones
- Other decorative material
- Needle nose pliers
Instructions:
1. Cut 3 strips 1 ¼” by the width of the sleeve. Cut approximately 50 strips of 1/2” x 5” for the confetti. Pull all the strips to make the sides roll.
2. Group the three bracelet strips together and tie a knot at the end.
3. Start a 3-strand braid by following the instruction guide until the bracelet is 7.5” long or to desired length.
4. End the braid by opening one of the t-shirt strips and wrap it around the other two strips. Place a pinch clamp on the end. Push the clamp against a hard surface to close it or use a pair of needle nose pliers. Untie the knot and repeat this step for the other side.
5. Open the jump ring and thread it through one of the clamp openings on the bracelet. Add clasp to the jump ring before closing it.
6. Loop the confetti strips around one t-shirt strand on the bracelet following the hitch knot instructions. Alternate t-shirt colors and add confetti until the bracelet is full.
7. Optional: add rhinestones or other decorative materials.
Tote Bag
Materials
- Two t-shirts the same size
- Fabric strips
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Marking tool
Optional supplies:
- Neckline template
- t-shirt confetti, rhinestones
- Other decorative materials
Instructions:
1. Cut off t-shirt neckline for bag opening using the template or draw it in. Cut off the sleeves following the seams and the hem of the shirt.
2. Make a mark every 1.5” across the bottom of the shirt. Draw a line 3” up at each mark and cut along each line to make the ties. Cut on the fold for each of the ties at the end.
3. Place one of the t-shirts inside the other right sides together and serge or sew around the bag opening. If you don’t have a serger or sewing machine, use the lacing technique used on the handles for finishing.
4. Make a mark around the handles 3/8” from the cut edge of the handles and ½” apart. Use a pair of scissors to cut on each mark through both t-shirt layers.
5. Cut four strips 1 ¼” by the width of a t-shirt for lacing. Pull each strip to roll the edges in. Tie a knot in two of the strands to start lacing over the handle edges. Repeat for the second handle.
6. Start closing the bottom of the bag by tying the strips together. Tie one lining and one outer bag strip together.
7. Cut any extra scraps of t-shirt (hems, ribbing around neckline, etc.) to stuff into handles or create trapunto design.
8. Optional: add rhinestones or other decorative materials.
Necklace
Materials
- Need 6 strips of t-shirts
- 2 pinch clamps
- 1 clasp
- 1 jump ring
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Marking tool
Optional supplies:
- (1) strip 1 ½” to weave into Josephine knot
- t-shirt confetti
- rhinestones
- other decorative materials
- Needle nose pliers
Instructions:
1. Cut each 1 ½” by the width of t-shirt (along hem). Pull strips at each end to make the sides roll.
2. Separate the t-shirt strands in two groups of three. Fold each group in half to find the middle.
3. Make the Josephine knot by following the instruction guide. The knot should be in the middle of the strands with 6 ends hanging off each side at equal lengths.
4. Start braiding each side with a fishtail/ arrow braid following the instruction guide. Each side should be approximately 8” or desired length. Repeat for other side.
5. End the braid by opening one of the t-shirt strips and wrap it around the other two strips. Place a pinch clamp on the end. Push the clamp against a hard surface to close it or use a pair of needle nose pliers. Untie the knot and repeat this step for the other side.
6. Open the jump ring and thread it through one of the clamp openings on the bracelet. Add clasp to the jump ring before closing it.
7. Optional: weave a contrasting t-shirt strand into the Josephine knot. OR add t-shirt confetti, rhinestones, or other decorative materials.
T-Shirt Cutting Guide
Strip Cut Widths
- Pet Toy: 2” x width of t-shirt
- Necklace: 1 1/2” x width of t-shirt
- Keychain: 1 1/4“ x width of t-shirt
- Bracelet: 1 1/4” x at least 11“
- Confetti: 5/8”
Green = Shirt deconstruction cut lines
Red = Kit cut lines
Cutting Instructions
- Cut off the hem and sleeves.
- Cut keychain, necklace, pet toy strips from bottom portion of shirt up to the screen printing (cross grain).
- Cut down the remaining “side seam”, remove the rib around the neckline, and the taping across the shoulders.
- If the t-shirt is wider than 11“without any screen printing- cut bracelet base strips. If there is screen printing- cut 5/8” strips straight grain on the remaining fabric. Bracelet strips can be cut above screen printing.
- Any unusable left over fabric should be cut and used as stuffing. These pieces should not be larger than 1/2".