How to Turn a T-Shirt Into a Bag

Everyone has an old t-shirt that no longer fits or can’t be worn any longer. So why not turn that t-shirt into a bag and use it in another way!

Our easy DIY t-shirt bag tutorial shows you how to transform a shirt into a tote bag in 5 minutes or less.

Use the sleeves that are cut off to make t-shirt sleeve drawstring bags!

DIY T-Shirt Bag

Not all t-shirts are the same. Thicker fabric will create a stronger, more durable bag. Try to avoid the really thin, slinky fabric shirts.

Both scoop neck or v-neck t-shirts will work.

Supplies

• Short-sleeved t-shirt (the larger the shirt, the bigger the bag)
• Scissors
• Thread

Directions

Fold the t-shirt in half, with the right sides facing out.

Cut a half circle shape around the neck of the shirt. The bigger the half circle, the longer your handles will be.

You can trace a pattern on the shirt with a marker or tailor’s chalk if you want a line to follow. A large bowl can be used as a template to make a half circle. Or you can just freehand the design.

Open up the shirt. Now cut off the sleeves, cutting just inside the shoulder seam so that the seam stays on the sleeves.

Turn the shirt inside out.

Match up the bottom t-shirt edges.

Fold over each side of the shirt inwards about 2-3 inches.

Sew across the bottom of the shirt, sewing just above the existing t-shirt seams. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the stitching.

Use a small zig zag stitch to sew. Zig-zag stitching allows stretchy jersey fabric, such as t-shirts, to stretch without the stitches popping.

Turn the shirt inside out and you are done!

Optional: If you would like, you can stretch along the cut edges of the straps so that the fabric starts to curl. This is natural and will occur over time as you put weight in the bag, but you can get a head start by pulling on the edges.

Watch me make this t-shirt bag in our YouTube tutorial below:

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This is just one of our many sewing projects that cost less than $1 to make!