How to Fold a T-Shirt in Two Seconds Flat

The trusty t-shirt is a staple of just about every wardrobe. While t-shirts are relatively hassle-free to care for, it's still quite a chore to fold a laundry load full of them––it's no wonder so many people just stuff them in a drawer or throw them on the floor. Fortunately it's easier than you may think to keep your t-shirts wrinkle-free. Follow these steps to fold a t-shirt in two seconds.

Edit Steps

1. Lay the t-shirt flat. Spread the t-shirt out on a flat surface such as a clean table. One side of the t-shirt should be facing you, with the neck to your right and the bottom to your left.


2. Draw an imaginary line across the middle of the t-shirt. Envision the line running from the side of the t-shirt opposite you to the side closest to you.


3. Pinch the fabric at a point on the line a few inches in from the edge. Follow the imaginary line to a point a few inches in from the edge that is closest to you. Pinch the t-shirt between your thumb and index finger (also called the "forefinger"), making sure that you are pinching both the front and back of the t-shirt.


4. Draw an imaginary line from the pinch point to the shoulder seam. It should go straight up, parallel with the sides of the shirt.


5. Use your free hand to pinch the t-shirt at the point on the shoulder seam. Pinch "through" the t-shirt to get both the front and back, as above. Continue to pinch the first points.


6. Bring the pinched shoulder seam to the bottom of the t-shirt. Keep your first pinch in place, and pull your other hand (the one pinching the shoulder seam) behind it so that the pinched point of the shoulder seam is lined up with the bottom of the t-shirt, directly below the first pinch. Your arms should be crossed.


7. Use the hand pinching the shoulder seam to pinch the fabric at the bottom of the t-shirt so that both the shoulder seam and the point on the bottom are pinched between the thumb and index finger. Again, make sure you are pinching both the front and back of the shirt.


8. Uncross your hands and lift the shirt. Keep a firm grip on both pinches and uncross your hands while simultaneously lifting the shirt off the surface. The t-shirt should be hanging down from your hands with a loose sleeve dangling at the bottom.


9. Fold the loose sleeve under. Lower the t-shirt back down onto the table. The loose sleeve should contact the table first. Fold the rest of the t-shirt back toward you and over the sleeve to create a fold that is symmetrical with the fold on the other side.


10. You're done.

Edit Video

Edit Tips

• This isn't as difficult as it might seem. Once you go through the steps a couple of times, you'll be able to fold a whole lot of t-shirts in the time it took you to read this article.


• If you find that the third pinch "twists" when you uncross your arms, try facing your palm outwards (away from you) when you gather the final pinch.


• Using fabric softener, either in your washer or dryer, will eliminate static cling and make folding any garment easier.


• This way of folding the t-shirt is also known as "the Japanese way".


• Once you try it the first or second time, you'll start to get the hang of it and it will be a lot easier.

Edit Things You'll Need

• A t-shirt


• Flat surface

Edit Related wikiHows

• How to Fold a Shirt


• How to Press a Shirt


• How to Make and Use Iron on Transfers


• How to Fold Clothes


• How to Fold Pants, Suits, and a Shirt to Go in a Suitcase

Edit Sources and Citations

• http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-fold-a-t-shirt-in-2-seconds-explained VideoJug.com - A video of folding a t-shirt with this method. The original source of this article. Shared with permission.

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