Feb28

What can you make with a Dr. Seuss T-shirt?

Posted on February 28, 2013 by Pillows A-La-Mode

March 2 is Dr. Seuss’s birthday! When I taught first grade, we always celebrated by wearing Dr. Seuss T-shirts, cooking green eggs and ham in the classroom, and reading all the kids’ favorite DS books. But now that I’ve moved on to a different career, I decided to use this well-loved T-shirt for my next “What can you make with a . . .” refashion.

First, I used the bottom of the shirt for the no-sew spaghetti t-shirt scarf that I shared last month.
Next, I used the “Sam’s Ham” graphic and back for a pillow (which is now on its way to some sweet little guys in Florida along with a copy of the matching book). I love that the T-shirt had a Dr. Seuss label that I could stitch into the side seam of the pillow!
The fabric from the shoulders became a travel neck pillow with “Ahh . . .” embroidered for a-la-mode. (You’ll find a fabulous tutorial at The Cottage Home!)
The rest of the scraps were stitched together into a rectangle and paired with a colorful remnant to make a little mat to put under a centerpiece or plant.
Oh, and did you know that a t-shirt neckband makes a perfect no-sew headband for around the house or working out??? Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss! ♥

89 responses »

thethingaboutjoan on February 28, 2013 at 8:28 am said:

I didn’t know his birthday was coming up — I love Dr. Seuss! My favorite book of his is The Lorax.

Also, I’m always, always amazed at your creativity. So many projects from one shirt! And I love that pillow — it’s perfect!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 8:31 am said:
  
  Thank you! I always loved that cute can of “Sam’s Ham” so it’s fun to pass it on instead of letting it sit in my t-shirt drawer!
  
  Reply ↓
Lisa on February 28, 2013 at 8:31 am said:

That is so (sew) very kewl!!! I absolutely love your projects!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 8:47 am said:
  
  Thank you, Lisa! This was fun! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Micha on February 28, 2013 at 8:35 am said:

Very resourceful! Love the pillow – and what a great idea to put the tag in the side!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 8:51 am said:
  
  Thank you! That pillow is really soft and cushy . . . hope it gets lots of loving in its new home! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
vickymyerscreations on February 28, 2013 at 8:52 am said:

I particularly like the little matt using up all the small pieces:)

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 8:54 am said:
  
  Thank you, Vicky! I have it on my dining table under a vase of greenery right now . . . trying to hurry spring along, I think! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - vickymyerscreations on February 28, 2013 at 8:57 am said:
    
    I tend to put all the small pieces in the bin:( Daughters school are having a fill a jam jar game at the next BBQ, I think the idea is bring a jam jar and collect one… mine could be full of scraps fo fabric!!
    
    Reply ↓
    - Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 9:11 am said:
      
      What a great idea! 🙂
      
      Reply ↓
twistnpout on February 28, 2013 at 8:59 am said:

LOVE that little mat.

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 9:12 am said:
  
  Thank you! I got out all my spring things last weekend, so I’m already using it! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
LubbyGirl on February 28, 2013 at 9:07 am said:

I always get great ideas for REmissionary projects from you – love this remake. We read Dr Seuss to our kids when they were little too; my late husband LOVED those books as much as the kids did.

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 9:14 am said:
  
  Dr. Seuss was full of wisdom and has a writing style that no one will ever (or SHOULD ever) imitate. And his books’ appeal to adults means we never get tired of reading them over and over (and OVER) to kids! I love that! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
linda on February 28, 2013 at 9:14 am said:

Those are so cute! I love the pillow – who wouldn’t?

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 9:17 am said:
  
  Thank you, Linda! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
livingsimplyfree on February 28, 2013 at 9:59 am said:

I love Dr. Seuss, I was going to write a post shortly where I took an adult tee shirt and made it into one for a little girl and then used the neck band for her hair, you beat me too it. She loves her quick no sew head band.

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 10:52 am said:
  
  Yay! I can’t wait to see your post, Lois! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
PQ on February 28, 2013 at 10:08 am said:

You’ve done it again. What an inspiration.

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 10:53 am said:
  
  Thank you, Pam! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Judy@grandparentsplus2 on February 28, 2013 at 10:29 am said:

You ‘really’ do have the art of repurposing down to an art. I guess that is why we all tune in to see what you are up to.

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 10:56 am said:
  
  What a sweet thing to say! Usually I just think of one or two things (like I was dying to make a t-shirt scarf, and this graphic was perfect for a pillow). Then it’s a fun challenge to see what I can do with the rest . . . plus it gives me a chance to experiment with some crafts I’ve been wanting to try! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
mtetar on February 28, 2013 at 10:49 am said:

Now that’s saying Happy Birthday Dr Seuss! Mtetar

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 10:59 am said:
  
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Boomdeeadda on February 28, 2013 at 11:04 am said:

I love Dr Seuss’isms and I can almost see you making those Green Eggs and Ham. What a great teacher you were to include such a fun and unexpected event!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 11:06 am said:
  
  Thank you, Boomdee! And it tasted delicious . . . as long as you closed your eyes! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Laura Conowitch on February 28, 2013 at 11:09 am said:

I love Dr. Seuss! What a great repurposing post! And my, oh my, what a graphic fabric on that chair! Makes me wonder how the rest of the room is decorated! 🙂

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 11:22 am said:
  
  Here’s a photo from last autumn https://pillowsalamode.wordpress.com/2012/10/04/autumn-mantle/ . . . but it looks springy now! 🙂 Oh, and I used some of your fabric in my latest apron! It turned out really cute . . . post coming soon! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Laura Conowitch on February 28, 2013 at 11:48 am said:
    
    You have a lovely home! Thanks for indulging me! 🙂
    I’m looking forward to seeing the apron! All of your aprons are cute!
    
    Reply ↓
babyjill7...Marilyn Griffin on February 28, 2013 at 11:42 am said:

gotta love the pillow…just neat!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 12:13 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Marilyn! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
P.S. I Love Soap Co. on February 28, 2013 at 11:54 am said:

Wow! I never knew he had a Birthday! Love how he got re-purposed. 🙂

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 12:14 pm said:
  
  Thank you! Gotta love that Dr. Seuss! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
HorseMark HandMade Cards on February 28, 2013 at 12:00 pm said:

I knew there was going to be a Dr. Seuss pillow and I love it. I can see it and the Ahh…pillow tucked in a reading corner of a first grade classroom. So clever!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 12:14 pm said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂 They were really fun to make, and t-shirt fabric is SO soft and cushy! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Pride in Photos Photography on February 28, 2013 at 12:10 pm said:

Oh the tee shirt made an adorable pillow…you would never have known the origin if you hadn’t told us!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 12:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you! I love t-shirt and sweater pillows . . . SO soft! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
now at home mom on February 28, 2013 at 12:57 pm said:

Katherine, you are very creative, the pillow looks great! 🙂 didn’t know it was his birthday! glad you posted this! 🙂

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 1:47 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Ingrid! Maybe you and your little guy can do something fun and Dr.-Seussy on Saturday! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - now at home mom on February 28, 2013 at 2:22 pm said:
    
    Yes, you are right Katherine, now you just filled my head with plenty of ideas! thank you! 🙂
    
    Reply ↓
sewing room secrets on February 28, 2013 at 1:12 pm said:

WOW! All that from one T shirt! ‘Resourceful’ doesn’t even begin to cover it ….. neither does awesome! X

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 1:47 pm said:
  
  Why, thank you! That’s super sweet! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: Oh, The Places You’ll Go! | Read it to absorb my awesomeness
junkyardcandy on February 28, 2013 at 2:22 pm said:

Great idea!! We love Dr Seuss in our house. He basically taught all of our kids to read. 🙂

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 5:21 pm said:
  
  What fun!!! I still have all the books, too! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
astimegoesbuy on February 28, 2013 at 3:09 pm said:

Great work!
Love the graphic on the t-shirt, perfect for a pillow.
Cheers,
Laura

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 5:22 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Laura! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
gentlestitches on February 28, 2013 at 3:53 pm said:

I know I have said it before but I must say it again. I LOVE your ideas and particularly the thinking outside the square “” what can you make with?”. My fave Dr Seuss story is the “empty pants with no one inside them”

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 5:33 pm said:
  
  That’s so sweet, thank you! And I don’t remember that story . . . I’ll have to look it up! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - gentlestitches on February 28, 2013 at 6:31 pm said:
    
    HaHa. You will love it. I used to read it to the young ones with dramatic emphasis!
    “I yelled for help. I screamed. I shrieked.
    I howled. I yowled. I cried,
    Oh save me from those pale green pants
    with nobody inside!”
    🙂
    
    Reply ↓
    - Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 6:55 pm said:
      
      Can’t wait to read it! 🙂
      
      Reply ↓
thethinkingcloset on February 28, 2013 at 4:09 pm said:

Love the idea of using the necklace as a no-sew headband! How very fun!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 5:34 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Lauren! 🙂 P.S. You’ve been busy on your blog!!! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
gardensunshine on February 28, 2013 at 6:23 pm said:

Gosh. You are amazing!!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 6:54 pm said:
  
  Really I’m just having fun trying out different projects . . . but thank you for the sweet compliment, Diane! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Cul de Sac on February 28, 2013 at 7:02 pm said:

I love seeing your no waste projects! it so amazing to see all the ideas you come up with! Love the pillow 🙂

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on February 28, 2013 at 7:05 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Josee! It’s great to see you back! Just saw your snow photos . . . whoa! Good luck with all the weather-related problems! And can’t wait to see your new projects when you get a chance to post! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Cul de Sac on February 28, 2013 at 7:44 pm said:
    
    You are too sweet Katherine! I felt bad, not posting for weeks… but I AM really busy lol! even dropped out of the collectively for this month 😦 but I’ll try and post more!
    
    Reply ↓
Orit Haddad on March 1, 2013 at 2:50 am said:

I love how you recycled those small parts, very clever!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 1, 2013 at 6:22 am said:
  
  Thank you! It was fun! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
sugarshellandbutterknife on March 1, 2013 at 8:31 am said:

I LOVE that pillow! Sam has always been my favorite Seuss character, though 😉 (I have to deal with this entity for work called System for Award Management, SAM for short, and I always think that in my head – I do not like green eggs and ham, ha ha.)

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 1, 2013 at 8:40 am said:
  
  That made me laugh! And we need things to smile about at work, don’t we! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Liesa Malik on March 1, 2013 at 8:36 am said:

Thanks so much for a great trip down Memory Lane with the updated looks you came up with! I am a big Dr. Seuss fan, and love the pillow. The headband idea is fantastic too. Wishing you a day full of all the thinks you can think.

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 1, 2013 at 8:41 am said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂 Lots of thinks to you, too! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
dedivahdeals on March 1, 2013 at 9:30 am said:

I remember making green eggs and ham for my sons when they were in Elementary school on Dr. Suess’ B-Day!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 1, 2013 at 10:51 am said:
  
  Awww . . . that’s so sweet! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Green Door Hospitality on March 1, 2013 at 10:44 am said:

I am absolutely in love with the graphic pillow!! So glad that you did this post 🙂
Kenley

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 1, 2013 at 10:52 am said:
  
  Thank you, Kenley! My daughter-in-law sent me a photo of little Tyler sleeping on it last night with the book right beside him! It was SO cute!!! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
alisonsye on March 1, 2013 at 1:38 pm said:

Love Dr. Suess, and love your pillow

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 1, 2013 at 2:09 pm said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Stitch It Again on March 1, 2013 at 7:46 pm said:

Wow- 5 things from a T-shirt! The Dr. Seuss pillow looks like it’s from an expensive boutique. Enjoying all the fun and useful projects you come up with.

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 1, 2013 at 7:51 pm said:
  
  That’s so sweet . . . thank you! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
blankenmom on March 2, 2013 at 12:54 am said:

Love that pillow!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 2, 2013 at 8:55 am said:
  
  Thank you! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
KnitNell on March 3, 2013 at 12:02 pm said:

I particularly like the cushion – very effective – lucky recipient!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 3, 2013 at 4:40 pm said:
  
  Thank you, KnitNell! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Anonymous on March 3, 2013 at 1:09 pm said:

Love the cushion and neck cushion, love them all actually, you are just so talented at re-purposing things. You are going to make me think now before I throw anything away. Linda x

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 3, 2013 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  Thank you! It was fun! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Anonymous on March 3, 2013 at 1:12 pm said:

Comment above is me, forgot I wasn’t logged in! durrh! Linda x

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 3, 2013 at 4:41 pm said:
  
  🙂
  
  Reply ↓
alotonyourplate on March 4, 2013 at 9:15 am said:

Fabulous. I can’t get enough of the idea of re-purposing a shirt into a pillow, now i’m kicking myself for tossing some of my favorite shirts as I got older. You are super talented and the fact that you’re a Dr. Seuss fan is an added bonus. 🙂

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 4, 2013 at 10:10 am said:
  
  Aww . . . thank you! Those special shirts just beg to be made into things, and t-shirt fabric makes super-soft pillows! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: Bag O’ Bunnies | PILLOWS A-LA-MODE
Victoria on March 15, 2013 at 10:52 am said:

Love it! That pillow is a very nice accent piece…and I’m sure it will be a cozy and comfy one…just like a favorite T-Shirt. 🙂

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on March 15, 2013 at 10:56 am said:
  
  Thank you, Victoria! My daughter-in-law sent me the cutest photo of our little grandson fast asleep on it when it arrived . . . and the book was in the bed, too! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Victoria on March 15, 2013 at 8:31 pm said:
    
    That is awesome…so precious!
    
    Reply ↓
soyouwantmyopinion on October 23, 2013 at 6:24 pm said:

That was genius!
You are so awesomely creative!

Reply ↓
- Pillows A-La-Mode on October 23, 2013 at 6:48 pm said:
  
  Awww . . . thank you! I just love trying lots of new things! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Pingback: pillows: how many are too many? | Curls n Skirls