DIY T-Shirt Boxers

“Waste isn’t waste until it’s wasted.”
– Unknown

Hey Salvage Friends,

It’s time for another post from our good friend Jessica over at  Chambray Blues. Today, she will be sharing a way to repurpose your old t-shirts to create…….

DIY T-Shirt Boxers

Here’s Jessica……..

T-shirts wear out quickly, but you can reuse them by making them into some new boxers! Here’s how to use your favorite tee’s and make undies!

If you house is anything like ours, you have piles of extra t-shirts laying around. Somehow they seem to multiply no matter how hard I try to eliminate them. I used to give everything to the thrift store, but giving things away doesn’t help stretch my household budget. I have been on a quest to find new uses for things we already have in the house. Recently, I saw someone post this idea on social media: making old t-shirts into new undies is a brilliant concept. I love that it reuses what you already have, plus it keeps more t-shirts from finding their way into the landfill.

Did you know, according to statistics, even thrift stores can only sell 20 percent of the donations that they receive. That means, that your thoughtful donation often ends up in the landfill or gets sold off to a foreign country. Either way, it doesn’t help your budget, and help your family make ends meet.

These t-shirt boxers are great for men or women, kids or adults. I self drafted a pattern from my favorite pair of boxers with a few easy steps.

|CHECK OUT THIS FARMHOUSE IDEA USING AN OLD T-SHIRT|

SUPPLIES

*Some affiliate links are added to show the same, or similar, items used.  We could receive a small amount if a purchase is made.  You can read our full disclosure policy here.

• Old T-Shirt
• Folded Paper or Scrap Fabric
• Pen or Pencil
• Rules, if desired
• Nice Sharp Sewing Scissors, like these!
• Sewing Machine
• Lace, if desired
• 1 5/8′ Elastic, purchased or reused from an old clothing item
• Pins

DIY T-Shirt Boxer Pattern

1. Turn your favorite undies inside out. Fold them in half at center front and center back. Pin together any seams to keep them from shifting.

2. Lay flat on a piece of folded paper or scrap fabric. Trace around the shape with a pen or a pencil. You may be able to flatten one part of the garment at a time while you trace it. You can use a ruler to help straighten the lines a bit, if needed.

3. Add 1/2″ seam allowance around the piece on the outside edges. Mark pieces front and back accordingly. Include one notch somewhere along the back crotch seam so you know which is the front and which is the back.

4. Lay out your pattern pieces on the t-shirt. I liked the colored graphics so I tried to place the pattern over as much of it as possible. 

5. Cut out your pattern pieces. Don’t worry, if it doesn’t turn out you can throw it away; practice makes perfect. You were going to throw away the tee anyway remember?

Sewing Directions:

1. Sew together the center front crotch seam with a narrow zig zag stitch 1.5-2.0mm. You can serge the seam instead if you have a serger. For men’s boxers, add an extra piece of fabric 4″ wide (folded in half lengthwise to a width of 2″ the length of the placket) to make the placket opening. Stitch placket to crotch seam to desired opening length, fold placket to back side of opening, then top stitch in place on the front side. Add a front button or snap closure if desired. Confused? Look at a pair of your own boxers for reference.

2. Sew together the center back crotch seam with the same method.

3. Sew together the front and back at the side seams. Stitch remaining crotch seam together.

4. To finish leg opening, either hem as desired or add lace. Stitch 2″ lace hem tape to the bottom of the leg openings by overlapping the lace and fabric by 1/4″. Zig-zag along the edge of the lace to attach. Fold over lace edge and enclose raw edges, then zig zag the opening closed to finish the leg. Repeat on other leg. 

5. To finish waistline, measure elastic to fit waist comfortably (it needs to be snug and stretched a bit so it’s not too loose). Divide and fold elastic into four equal parts and mark with pins. Beginning at the center back seam, pin elastic in place to waist matching a pin to center back, side seam, center front seam and opposite side seam. Stretch elastic slightly to fit while sewing with zig-zag stitching, attaching elastic on to waist overlapping elastic and fabric by at least 1/4″. Fold under raw edge of elastic at center back seam and secure with zig zag stitches.  

I can’t wait to make more of them! I you are not confident in your ability to make your own boxers pattern, you get get my pattern for free by being on my (Jessica’s) mailing list here.

For more fun re-fashioning ideas try these posts:

Mens Thrifted Shirt Upcycle Hack in 7 Steps

Re-cyled Jean Denim Vest

How to Restyle a Boring Denim Jacket

Easy to Make Scrappy Denim Skirt

How to Make a Recycled Denim Ruffled Purse with Cricut and Simplicity

A big thanks to Jessica for sharing this super cool way to re-use those t-shirts!!!  Be sure to check out her blog!