We’re still going strong with this little “How to Make Your Office Awesome” series. So far, I’ve shared some tips for de-cluttering your workspace, a tutorial on how to make a wooden pallet wall, and a tutorial on how to make yourself some custom dry erase boards. I’ve got a few more ideas coming this week, starting with this gem from my favorite boy Kenny’s office…
A T-SHIRT WALL.
Being a youth pastor is pretty much synonymous with having an epic collection of t-shirts. So, if you’re looking for a cool (and affordable) way to decorate your office, take a few minutes, dig out your old youth ministry t-shirts, and you’ve got the raw materials for some pretty incredible office decor.
Want to learn how to make it? Of course you do. Because it’s awesome.
To get started, gather up all the supplies I’ve listed over there on the right. If you’re not familiar with canvas stretcher strips, they look like this. Once you’ve got all your supplies, you can get started on your first shirt…
1. CONNECT 4 CANVAS STRETCHER STRIPS TO MAKE A 12″ SQUARE. These are super easy to use. They simply snap together to create a very durable frame.
2. LINE UP YOUR T-SHIRT AND CUT AWAY EXCESS FABRIC. Large or extra large t-shirts work best for this because they give you plenty of fabric to work with. Center your design on the canvas stretchers and pull the fabric back around the frame, like you’re wrapping a present. Once you get a feel for how much fabric you’ll need, cut away the excess fabric, like the sleeves and lower hem.
3. START STAPLING. Keeping the design centered on the frame, lay it face down on a flat surface. Starting at the top, fold the fabric back over the frame and staple it in place. Then move around all four edges, pulling the fabric tight (but evenly!), and stapling as you go. Remember – like you’re wrapping a present.
4. HANG IT. These are pretty light-weight, so a couple of nails (or those removable adhesive wall strips) will do the trick for each frame.
You can get creative with this, too. Try different sizes canvas stretchers, interesting layouts on your wall, or mix up the t-shirts by framing different patterned fabrics alongside them.
Great idea!
Love it! I was just thinking about how to do this, this morning and then… You posted it!
I’ve already started step one of the first post – throwing things away! Thanks for the motivation and reassuring me that i’m not nuts about upgrading MY space.
My question – do you have an Amazon link or something like that for the stretchers you are talking about? When I searched it there were a variety of things and I”m not sure what to look for to do this project, which would be ideal for my office!
Hey Rob! Ha, so glad I could give you a little inspiration. Throwing things away is like my favorite thing ever. I did include the link to the stretchers in the post but it’s easy to miss. 🙂 Try this.
Clint, I guess God is trying to tell you something. 😉
Nick I want to see pics of your remodeled space when you’re done!
Another fun idea that I would do if I had more office space, would be to get t-shirts from all the schools my HS students go to and make a wall of them.
That is an awesome idea, I love it! I just mapped all of the schools our students come from on my wall (over 120 middle schools!). I don’t think I could fit 120 shirts on the wall, but to get some of the major ones would be awesome.
Ha! Thanks!!
Elle, looks great. One idea that we did was to stretch our shirts over the damaged ceiling tiles we had all over the church. then when we put them in our youth spaces they made great sound dampening boards. Just a thought!
Lane
I’m doing something like this but instead of the stretcher strips I’m using art canvases. I found them at Michaels or Hobby Lobby in packages of 5 for a pretty reasonable price
seriously loving these DIY posts Elle! I’m not even in youth ministry anymore – but might do some of this stuff to my apartment! haha #butseriously
Haha, thanks Andy! I’m so glad! You’re real cool.
We did something similar, using a cube shelf and the totes that fit them. We put a medium t-shirt on a tote, with the neck hole at the top. Tuck the sleeves and the bottom of the tail into the folds as you wrap the tote. Then we rolled and dropped extra shirts of each design into the totes. Works as a display and as a place to buy our t-shirts!
respect. 120. wow.
I love this idea! This could be a great set design piece too.
Lane that’s cool! A t-shirt ceiling!
I couldn’t believe it either, we’re outside of Buffalo so it includes schools from the suburbs and the city. And Canada haha.
We also do the t-shirt ceiling in our youth room!
This is a great idea along with your other ideas. I would love to see some posts about youth rooms like this series on offices.
Chance you have a picture of this?
Its features can be quickly and completely covering variations in design and color, sound and heat insulation and so on.
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I have 25 KISS shirts and some Van Halen shirts to boot.. this will definitely solve my problem as I have grown too much to fit in the shirts anymore
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