Craft a tote-ally awesome T-shirt tote

DIY T-Shirt Tote Bag
Pass along your good wishes or gratitude with this handy T-shirt tote bag. Transforming a T-shirt into a tote is oh-so simple and makes for a great coach's thank-you gift, Father's Day present or teacher-appreciation keepsake. You could also tailor the craft to a new grad by choosing a shirt bearing the logo of the college he or she will soon be attending—or send them off with a piece of home by using a tee from their soon-to-be high school alma mater. Includes easy step-by-step instructions for sewn or no-sew T-shirt bags.
Crafter level: Easy
Time needed: 15-20 minutes

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Materials

  • T-shirt or tank top
  • Sharp scissors
  • Thread to match (sewn version)
  • Sewing machine (sewn version)
  • Pins (sewn version)

Directions

 

  1. Lay shirt on table, right side up, and smooth out any wrinkles. Note: If you’re using a tank top instead of a T-shirt, skip steps 2 and 3.

  2. Cut off the arms of the T-shirt along the seams.

    Craft a tote-ally awesome T-shirt tote

  3. Cut around the neckline of the T-shirt to make the opening of the tote bag larger, cutting out the ribbing or outside seam.

Continue for the no-sew version

  1. Cut fringe along the bottom of the shirt 2 to 3 inches long and between 1/2 to 1 inch wide (depending on how many knots you want to tie). Cut through both front and back layers at the same time.

    Craft a tote-ally awesome T-shirt tote

  2. Now take a matching front and back strip of fringe and double-knot them together.

  3. Continue tying knots along the bottom of the shirt, always pairing the front fringe piece to the corresponding back fringe piece. Pull each knot tight so there won’t be large gaps between them.

    Craft a tote-ally awesome T-shirt tote

Continue for the sewn version

  1. Turn shirt inside out. Line up the bottom of shirt, front to back, smoothing out any wrinkles. Pin together.

  2. Sew from end to end to close the bottom opening of the shirt. Use a 5/8-inch seam or sew slightly inside the bottom hemline of the shirt for added strength and stability.

  3. Turn right side out.

    Craft a tote-ally awesome T-shirt tote