Flannel shirts are one of those types of clothing that lends itself beautifully to crafting after its wearing days are done. Whether it’s the fuzzy feel of the fabric or the (typically) plaid designs it sports, crafting with flannel shirts is very popular- especially as cold weather approaches.
Many of the below projects are detailed thoroughly in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”.
Reusable Hand Warmers
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A chilly tailgate party or a late night bonfire come to mind when I think of these DIY hand warmers. And nothing feels cozier in the palm than flannel! Easy to make, these flannel hand warmers are pretty enough to use as cozy decor, too.
Drawstring Pouches
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Flannel shirt sleeves are remarkably easy to upcycle and refashion into handy drawstring pouches. These are great for holding any number of things- game pieces, extra buttons, loose beads, small collectibles, and more. And even for a beginner sewist, they are super simple to make- starting as a sleeve means half the work is already done.
Cord Wrapper
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Also from part of a sleeve, these DIY cord wrappers are ideal for small appliances by keeping cords neat and tidy. Handy and incredibly useful for irons, blow dryers, and small kitchen appliances, these are also a simple sewing project that would be perfect for a beginner to try.
Pumpkin Pillow
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Throw pillows are a perennial favorite when it comes to adding decorative touches to sofas, beds, and chairs. But changing them out throughout the year can be EXPENSIVE. But not in this case: a (clean) thrift store pillow was paired up with a (clean) thrift store flannel shirt for a very budget-friendly alternative.
Cozy Christmas Wreath
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One of the coziest wreaths you can make for the winter holidays is one that involves plaid flannel shirts like this. The red and green make it Christmas-y, but you could just as easily focus on blue, white, and green for a winter version, as well.
Tote Bag Pocket
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A plain tote bag is fun to personalize, and a shirt pocket is an easy way to do it. A no-sew project that anyone can do, it adds function and style to a canvas tote that is no longer just a blank canvas.
Plush Pumpkins
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Fabric pumpkins are a favorite decorating element in fall. They never rot, you can use them each year, and they’re surprisingly easy to make! This tutorial uses bandanas as the fabric, but the instructions are the same and they’re just as cute in fuzzy flannel.
Tooth Fairy Pillow
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Is there anything cuter than a toddler-sized flannel shirt? And if you can’t part with it after it’s too small to wear, save it for this sweet upcycle: a tooth fairy pillow for their next growing stage in life.
Flannel-Wrapped Handle
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Not all carrying baskets have hand-friendly handles. But wrapping it with fabric (in this case, flannel) gives it not only a cozy new look, but feels better on the skin, as well.
Plaid Table Runner
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A table runner is an easy way to decorate your table when it’s not mealtime. And this patchwork runner made from several shirts is cozy, rustic, and inviting- especially as the weather cools down.
Leaf Wreath from Flannel Shirts
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Here’s a fun one if you have several shirts to craft from and their earthy hues just scream Fall. Leaf-shaped cutouts are turned into a simple, stylish Fall wreath to hang on your door.
This is a great one for a craft party with friends, too- sharing shirts for projects like this keeps the costs and shirt-collection effort low.
Friendship Bracelets
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Braided bracelets (similar to these) are a fun and easy form of friendship bracelets that don’t require any fancy knots. And these come from perhaps the unlikeliest source- a rolled hem on a flannel shirt!
Cozy Candles
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Clear glass candle holders are a dime a dozen at thrift stores, but thankfully, they are delightfully easy to upcycle into seasonal decor. These Hygge-inspired candles got a frosty makeover and a little flannel treatment- perfect for those chilly fall and winter days.
Star Ornaments from Flannel Shirts
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Christmas ornaments are always a fun craft project to work on during the holiday season. And this one (from shirt collars) is truly ideal- an indoor craft project that doesn’t require any sewing! Plus, it’s another good project to work on in a group if you have family or friends visiting during the holidays- shirt sharing time!
DIY Draft Blocker
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The time to winterize your home has arrived, and believe it or not, but a few old flannel shirts can help. This DIY draft blocker is made with fabric from old shirts and does a great job of blocking out the cold air and keeping the cozy warmth in.
Trimmed Towels
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Plain hand towels get the flannel treatment with this straightforward sewing project. Sleeves and shirt backs are excellent places to harvest the fabric needed to bring these festive guest towels to life.
Page Pocket Bookmarks
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Love to read or want to make gifts for the readers in your life? These page pocket bookmarks are simple to create and use up some of the smallest scraps of flannel you have left. Gotta love a good scrap buster project like this!
Insulated Coffee Sleeves
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Shirt cuffs really are incredibly versatile for clothing upcyclers. Not only are these coffee sleeves reusable over and over again, but they’re insulated and really get the job done on your steaming cup of pumpkin spice latte.
Crafting with Flannel
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“Crafting with Flannel” by Sarah Ramberg is the ultimate craft book for anyone interested in making these kinds of projects. And truly, the shirts can be made from any fabric and not just plaid. This book is available from multiple online retailers.
What Will You Make from Flannel Shirts?
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Which of these projects will you make first? And then which one will come next? There are tons of project ideas for flannel shirts, many of which are really useful and handy. But the best part is that they’re simple, straightforward, and approachable for all levels of crafting experience.
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
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