These colorful t-shirt bracelets are an easy to make recycled craft project and are perfect for teenagers or preteens! All you need are inexpensive bangle bracelets and some old t-shirts to make these pretty fashion statements.
Recycled T-Shirt Bracelets
These colorful t-shirt bracelets are made from recycled clothing. This project is a great way to re-use stained or old clothes that are taking up space in your closet.
If you have a teenager or preteen, this is a great wearable craft to do with them. They’ll probably want to make some for their friends too and would make a great homemade gift! They also make a fun girl scout craft or camp craft in which you can teach the importance of reusing and recycling during the process of making them.
Because the braided material will make the opening of the bangle smaller, it’s important to get bracelets that are big enough to allow room for your wrist to get through the finished bracelet.
For example, due to my plus size frame, my wrists are considerably larger than my daughter’s. Therefore, the bracelets fit her great while I was unable to get them on.
Cut t-shirt material into strips, braid them together and wrap them around a metal bangle. Secure with hot glue!
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What you’ll need to make recycled t-shirt bracelets
Fun, right? I hope you enjoy making these colorful t-shirt bracelets. Use the rest of your leftover t-shirt scraps to make the headband version- Recycled T-shirt Headbands!
More ideas you might like:
Looking for more fun bracelet ideas? Check out these fun, colorful Popsicle Stick Bracelets. These would be great for teen or tweens slumber party or birthday party!
My friend Pauline with show you how to make friendship bracelets using a recycled plastic lid!
Make Bracelets from Recycled T-shirts
Supplies
- T-shirts
- Bangle bracelets
- White craft glue
- Scissors
- Hot glue gun
Instructions
- First, you'll want to cut your t-shirt material into strips. My strips were about 16 inches long and approximately 1 inch wide. The material will stretch as well, making them considerably longer.
- To create a simple single colored bangle, first, stretch the material out, tie the t-shirt strip in a loose knot around the bracelet.
- Wrap the material tightly around the bangle. If you run out of material before you get to the end, simply hot glue another strip to the end of your current strip and continue.
- When you arch the end, untie the first knot and tie the two loose ends together. Tie them tight and position the knot on the inside of the bangle, cut the ends and secure with some white craft glue.
- To make braided bracelets, gather SIX strips of material, 2 of each color you wish to use. It's best to choose contrasting colors. I used four tie-dyed strips and two white strips for one bracelet, and for the other I used two each gray, tie-dye, and pink.
- Use a hot glue gun to attach two matching strips, end to end to make one long strip. Repeat for the others. Stretch out the material, taking care not to pull them apart where they are glued. Tie the three strips together in a loop knot, leaving a couple of inches above the knot.
- Braid the strips together. When you get to the end, wrap in a rubber band or tie with some scrap fabric (only temporary). Wrap the braid tightly around the bangle. When you reach the end, loosen the knots on both ends and tie together. Secure the knot with white craft glue. Trim the fringed ends to a length that you like.
This post was originally published on this blog on Oct 28, 2012.
Amanda Formaro
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Loretta says
February 16, 2018 at 8:17 pmI love the idea of doing these around a bangle instead of just knotting like the friendship bracelets I’ve made in the past, probably a bit sturdier and easier to wear!
Patricia Conte says
June 22, 2016 at 11:47 pmAny suggestions as to where we can get bracelets. Want to do it with girls at Ronald McDonald Oncology Camp so need quite a lot
Amanda Formaro says
July 9, 2016 at 9:35 amYou could probably find them at a craft store like Michaels in the jewelry making department. But I would also hit thrift stores and see if you can find any. Doesn’t matter what they look like since you will be covering them up :)
Nancy Biller says
January 20, 2019 at 8:37 amYou may also check a Dollar Tree if you have one near you. They usually come in a pack of 3-5 for a dollar.
Pam says
July 10, 2015 at 2:14 pmThere are very easy tutorials on how to make continuous t-shirt string. Once you use this method you will never throw another t shirt away. The bottom part of an xl tshirt makes a good amount of string, once stretched larger than my fisted hand! Just search continuous tshirt string!
Amy says
June 27, 2015 at 10:35 amLove this idea. Hate that you have so many ads going on your site here that it makes it hard to read the post without accidentally clicking on a stinkin ad.
Amanda Formaro says
July 2, 2015 at 2:20 pmSorry you had trouble Amy. The ads are a necessary evil in order for me to continue providing these tutorials for free :)
Catha Stewart says
February 14, 2015 at 1:11 amYou can also braid them into headbands
Amanda Formaro says
February 22, 2015 at 9:49 amYep1 I have a tutorial for that too ;) https://craftsbyamanda.com/braided-recycled-t-shirt-headband/
J says
September 28, 2014 at 8:21 amThese are great… I’m looking for some things my teen daughters and I can make for our Adoption fundraiser… may use your idea here???
Amanda Formaro says
October 2, 2014 at 9:31 pmYes of course :)
Petrina Fryer says
May 13, 2014 at 5:39 pmThese are great. Had to share cause I’ve lots of friends with kids.
Amanda Formaro says
May 14, 2014 at 8:02 amThank you for sharing Petrina, glad you like them!
Stone~Free says
June 13, 2013 at 7:50 amThis is a great idea, I may try it without the bangles, I also might put charms or large-holed beads.
Amanda Formaro says
June 13, 2013 at 8:29 amGlad you like them, hope you have fun!
Ann says
November 13, 2012 at 9:09 ami love this idea! thank you for sharing it’ll definitely make great gifts for all my friends this year for christmas :)
Janice says
November 11, 2012 at 3:26 pmSo cute! Thanks for the tutorial. Pinning on my upcycled fabric projects board on pinterest.
Amanda says
November 12, 2012 at 3:27 pmThank you!
OneMommy says
November 7, 2012 at 2:19 pmSo cute! Got to send this to my niece! She is always making jewelry! Stopped in from the Cleverist FB page
jet says
November 2, 2012 at 3:12 pmsuch a great fun idea, very cool, i think i will make it for myself. I have alot old t shirts cut in yarn, and thought what must i do with this new yarn.LOL
thank you for the great tute and the sharing;-D
nest of posies says
October 29, 2012 at 1:47 pmthey look great! love all the colors.
Marie says
October 29, 2012 at 2:57 amThese are darling. I would wear those myself. I love t-shirt crafts!!
irene kong says
February 25, 2014 at 2:57 amit is lovely thank you for sharing
debbie teague says
March 8, 2015 at 9:20 pmLooks very easy