The tees that are 100% cotton, and well-worn are nicely absorbant and do well for cleaning, dusting and window washing. Unfortunately most common are the polycottons, and they don't absorb worth a darn -- as anyone who has worn such on a hot day can attest. Rob ~ carefully *cut the front off, into a square or circle or hexagon or whatever shape; cut the back to match. **Turn right sides together and stitch, leaving a 4" opening. Actually, I leave a 9" opening and attach velcro for a closure, but that's probably more work than needed. Turn rightside out and stuff with a foam shape, batting or old nylon stockings; blindstitch the opening closed. If you have an old throw pillow, this is one way to recycle it, just make the opening big enough so the old pillow can fit into the new covering. * To prevent crazy-stretching the material, use iron-on fabric facing on the backside, then cut. ** A step up and looking more professional is to attach welting along the seam line before stitching together. Place the fat side towards the picture and pin; stitch on the welting's seam line, then stitch the back piece on, again being sure to stitch in the same seam line. I've seen attractive pictures used as wall hangings. One was of a flower and the owner had put quilt batting between front and back, and then stitched the flowers' outlines making a quilted finish. Edged with tape, and hung from a rod.

I'm going to repeat my post from two years ago, because nothing has changed, and my solution is still working. If you find spots only on the front of your solid-color t-shirts after washing them, this will take care of them. It's a pain, but pre-treating them faithfully with Stain Stick--I now have to order it from Amazon, as WalMart and Kroger stores have quit carrying it--but it relieves the frustration of finding spots on freshly washed clothes. Spots only occur on the fronts of our t-shirts, never the backs or sides, so I think it has to do with getting grease on the front either from cooking or eating. Have you ever seen the spot a tiny crumb of potato or corn chip leaves on a brown paper sack overnight? My solution: pre-treat all visible spots with Stain Stick. Works most of the time, and seems to always work the second time around if there is a spot or two after the first wash. It's a pain, but compared to the trouble of making my own detergent, I'll continue doing it. I tried using spray pre-treatments, but once you spray you can't tell what spots are from the spray and which need to be treated. I have a top-loader and use Costco Free and Clear, but have tried Tide and other detergents, as well. Makes no difference. I use a dryer and fabric softener sheets. I tried no sheets and different brands--no difference. I typically pour the detergent down into the bottom of the tub so it goes into the area below the tub with the holes it, but don't wait to put clothes in until the bottom is covered with water, so it's possible some of the unmixed detergent is getting on the clothes. But as I started off with, if the spots were being caused by the detergent, they wouldn't be just on the fronts of the shirts.

I'm with you, Kathsgardn. When we were at the Grand Canyon this spring we bought tee shirts that I had put away and forgotten--I have to wear sleeveless, cooler shirts in the summer because I feel the heat more intensely than most. As it cooled down yesterday I pulled it out and was pleased to notice it was a nice weight. And I remember being quite pleased with the price too--quite a bit less than I expected to pay! Yes, these thin, ridiculous shirts have been foisted upon us by greedy manufacturers who call it "style." I would be willing to pay more for a heavier shirt, but they don't seem to exist.

Saw an idea on Pinterest for upcycling mens shirts into tank tops. I like the idea for me especially while I'm in the garden. I can go to Goodwill and find the mens shirts with the fabric blend that works best for me. Maybe something to consider.