Don’t Toss Them Out! Upcycle Your Old Bed Sheets
Discover innovative and eco-friendly ways to repurpose your old bed sheets with our updated guide. Breathe new life into unused fabric.
Did you know that your old bed sheets can lead a fascinating second life beyond the linen closet? With a bit of creativity, they can transform into anything from chic home décor to practical everyday items.
Using old things in new ways is not just a trend; it is a way of life as we try to be more environmentally friendly. This updated guide to creating new things out of old bed sheets shows creative and environmentally friendly new ideas. No matter how experienced you are with do-it-yourself projects or how new you are to crafting, these projects are sure to inspire and delight you.
These ideas offer a range of new projects that cater to different interests and skill levels, from simple no-sew options to more complex sewing projects, all aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability through creative upcycling.
Fashion Forward with Bed Sheets
Boho-Chic Maxi Skirts
Create flowy, bohemian-inspired maxi skirts from patterned bed sheets. This project is perfect for beginners and adds a unique piece to your wardrobe.
Jammie Pants
With minimal sewing skills, one can turn old bed sheets into comfortable, easy-peasy jammie pants.
Clothing Linings
Solid-colored bed sheets can serve as an inexpensive lining solution for see-through garments.
Summer Dresses or Skirts
Lightweight bed sheets are perfect for sewing into simple summer dresses or skirts.
Bandanas or Headscarves
Create fashionable bandanas or headscarves, customizing them with fabric dye or stamps.
Practical Upcycling Projects
Custom Tote Bags
Durable and stylish, tote bags fashioned from old bed sheets are perfect for groceries or a day at the beach. Customize with fabric paint or patches for a personal touch.
Wreaths and Decorative Items
Following tutorials like the one by Two Shades of Pink, crafters can create cute wreaths and other decorative items from old bed sheets.
Produce Bags
Sew lightweight, breathable produce bags for your fruits and veggies. They’re washable and reusable, making them an eco-friendly alternative to plastic.
Pet Bed Covers
Sew easy-to-clean pet bed covers that can be swapped out and washed regularly.
Home Décor and Accessories
Braided Rug
Cut sheets into strips and braid them together to create a cozy, colorful rug. This project can be a fun way to involve the whole family.
Decorative Wall Art
Stretch and frame a section of a beautifully patterned bed sheet for instant, affordable wall art. This simple project can dramatically change the look of a room.
Reversible Table Runners
Combine two bed sheets of contrasting colors or patterns to craft reversible table runners that match any season or occasion.
Rags and Cleaning Cloths
An easy and straightforward way to repurpose any bedsheet. Simply cut the sheets into the desired sizes for a cost-effective cleaning solution.
Throw Pillows
Utilize old bedsheets to create decorative throw pillows for your bed or sofa, adding a touch of personalized decor to your living space.
Curtains or Room Dividers
Transform bed sheets into stylish curtains or room dividers to enhance privacy and décor.
Gardening and Outdoor Ideas
Picnic and Beach Blanket
Transforming bed sheets into picnic or beach blankets involves sewing two full-sized sheets together and adding quilting lines for stability.
Frost Protection
Gardeners can repurpose bed sheets to cover crops during light frosts, providing an easy and effective way to protect sensitive plants.
Outdoor Craft Project
Bedsheets offer a large canvas for children’s outdoor craft projects, enabling creativity and fun outside the house.
Bed Sheet Teepee
Creating a teepee from old bed sheets provides a fantastic play area for kids (and adults), with an amazing tutorial available to guide the construction process.
Protective Furniture Covers
Use bed sheets to create protective covers for outdoor furniture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Upcycling Bed Sheets
After you’ve transformed your old bed sheets into something spectacular, why stop there? Dive deeper into the world of creative upcycling with our collection of ingenious tutorials. Each guide is packed with easy-to-follow steps and ideas to inspire your next project:
- 22 New Uses for Old Pill Bottles: Discover how to turn those little bottles into useful tools and charming decorations with this eye-opening guide.
- 12+ Fun Ways to Upcycle Holiday Cards After the Season: Keep the holiday spirit alive year-round with these unique ideas for repurposing your old holiday cards.
- Mason Jar Crafts You’ll Love to DIY: Mason jars are not just for canning—explore a myriad of ways to transform them into decorative and functional pieces for your home.
- 20 Creative Uses for an Old Milk Jug: Don’t throw out your old milk jugs! Our tutorial will show you how to give them a second life in ways you never imagined.
Whether you’re a seasoned upcycler or new to the DIY scene, these tutorials offer something for everyone. Click through to unleash your creativity and make the most of items you already have at home. Let’s turn the ordinary into extraordinary together!
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Using old bed sheets in new ways is not only creative, but it is also a way to live in a more environmentally friendly way. I think the important “takeaway” from this is that bed sheets are free or inexpensive fabric sources. Instead of hauling old sheets away in boxes, figure out if there is some way you can give them new life. That’s the homesteader way!
What’s the most creative way you’ve repurposed an old bed sheet? Share your projects and inspire our community!
They are also great for making look a like dresses for little girls and their dolls
I also use them as drop cloths for painting, but also for other projects where I know there will be droppings on the floor or the table. I use our dining table to assemble/repair wreaths at Christmas and an old sheet protects the table from getting scratched and it saves the glitter, fake garland needles, etc. that fall. When I’m done, I just grab the sheet and shake it out outside. My husband uses them to put on the ground if he needs to work under the car or tractor.
I use my old bed sheets to cover my dogs beds. Then wash them when they are dirty. They never dirty their beds. So easy to keep their beds clean.
old flannel sheets make great reusable diapers. My daughter did that. you can make rag baskets with torn strips of sheeting. Think color and not pattern on this project. Make laundry bags to match kids room.They may even pick up their dirty cloths!Place mats and napkins and mug rugs. piece them for pretty table runners.
I’ve crocheted baskets from sheet torn strips. Also mug rugs, a large enough basket for my knitting, and table place mats.
Really old or bad ones are perfect painting dropcloths and last forever it seems .
I used vintage/novelty sheets and pillow cases for many of my projects…diaper bags, messanger bags, dresses, pj’s, curtains and so much more! I can pick them up at thrift stores for a couple of dollars. On average I can get about 4 yards out of a full size flat sheet. You can’t get those kinds of patterns on fabric anymore…lol. I have boxes and boxes of them.
I love that! I watch for “bag sales” at our local thrift store. It’s $5 for however much you can fit in the bag. Those are the days I hit the kid’s clothes and bed linens.
I make purses from the tops of old jeans from crotch to waisted band. I add cute ruffles to some with pretty print sheet scraps.
old flannel sheets are great for rag quilts or pj bottoms! Two Pillowcases can be sewn together and stuffed with old pillows for little ones to lay on the floor while they watch tv or lean one up on coffee creating a “couch” for them to sit on! You can just let your imagination take over!
That’s a great idea. My kids would love something like that.
Love these ideas for “vintage” bed sheets. There’s just something about the quality of older fabrics that I just can’t throw them away. You’ve all given some super ideas, thanx. Gotta ask 104 Homestead, I live in upstate NY and one of the main east/west rds is Rt. 104 follows along Lake Ontario from Niagara falls to Albany ( I believe) do you live along this route?
I don’t. We live in the Mount Washington Valley, a bit further down.
Hey! I used to live in upstate NY, near Lockport and took 104 all of the time. Just saying “104” made me think of home.
you can make your own DIY hammock, there are lots of patterns on Pinterest
I like that idea!
I keep old sheets in the trunk of my car for my fragile yard sale finds. Love your ideas!
That’s a great idea. You never know when you’ll find a treasure 🙂
I use pillow cases and curtains to make aprons for kids and adults. I make rag rugs from left over matetial. The rest i use to make dolls clothes
I need to start making rag rugs. It’s been on my “Skills to Learn” list for a while now.
it’s in portuguese, not spanish.
thanks for the post
this past summer i used a fitted standard sheet for a top on my swing.. the corners fit the frame perfectly..
I use bed sheets alongside the patterned fabric in my patchwork projects.
Also as backing material.
Cheap and big!
Great ideas! I’m afraid you forget one of my favourites: little girls’ dress with pillow cases…there’s a lot of great tutorials and patterrns on pinteres.
Best wishes, sil
I love those little dresses 🙂
I used a old (navy blue) flat sheet to cover my box spring. A new light blue set on the mattress. It looked nice the navy blue went to the floor.
I’m a quilter – I use bed sheets (primarily the unfitted ones) for batting for summer weight quilts, where batting would make it too warm. I’ve used the same bed sheets in flannel for batting for children and baby quilts, as they get washed MANY times & flannel holds up well to lots of wear. Also have used bed sheets to line drapes I’ve made for a window, to keep the drapery fabric from being sunbleached. I collect old bed sheets in the old prints, and eventually will make a few quilts out of the fabric. Quilters truly recycle!
Maybe I missed it, but I didn’t see anyone mention making rag rugs. IF I knew how to crochet I would make rugs out of 2 inch wide strips of old sheets and shirts. I love them!
I’ve been making rag rugs for years. You can get a lot more variety in your patterns if you use 1″ strips. Using a rotary cutter and cutting, it takes me a lot less time to cut them up and the edges are a lot neater.
I still want to take time to make a few rag rugs. The to-do list hasn’t allowed for it yet.
My mother made a large rag rug that was crocheted with 1″ strips of old cotton materials from shirts and sheets. I made a braided rug for my bedroom at the same time. It was a fun mother daughter project. We both cut strips and sewed them into long strips to roll into balls like yard.
I use them to make light summer time quilts or bedspreads. You can use the old fitted sheets as your squares and flat sheets ( a size larger than the bed you are making it for ) as the backing.
I use vintage sheets to back my quilts. Awesome individual style and at a great price!
I’m a teacher and I use old sheets as bulletin board backgrounds
Great idea! You could get some really neat patterns.
I have used old cotton sheets to make a loose fitting nightgown, because cotton is cool and breathable. I have also used it to make white dinner napkins to use everday , in place of so many paper towels. I plan on covering my bedroom lampshade using an old sheet , after I tea-dye the cotton sheet. I will be using strips of the sheet to mage rag-roses that I saw on Pinterest, to embellish the lamp. I like to make my own pillow cases from a large cotton sheet.
Sounds pretty 🙂
JUST FOUND THIS WEB SITE TODAY. IT REMINDED ME OF WHEN I WAS GROWING UP WITH MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS.MOM AND DAD WONDERFUL MEMORIES JUST READING THE COMMENTS. TREASURED SITE INDEED. I HAVE USED BEAUTIFUL QUEEN SIZE SHEETS TO MAKE MYSELF SOME DRESSES, APRONS AND CURTAINS. THE FABRIC LASTS FOREVER AND ENJOY WORKING WITH THE COTTON ONES. I MADE MY GRAND DAUGHTER A DRESS USING A PILLOW CASE. I CROCHETED THE NECKLINE. SO SO CUTE
With the future so uncertain, cut your sheets into 2-3″ strips and sew short pieces together These make great roller bandages We made these in church for foreign countries years ago. A great idea for medical supplies
I use bed sheets for the back or underside of a quilt. Every quilt i have made has a blanket for the batting, a sheet for the backing.
Dog rescue groups use them to cover crates if the dog is scared.
We do the same with our poultry. If they are stressed due to a new environment or injury, we cover them to offer security. It’s always wise to have a few on hand for that.
Great idea.