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Make a Summer Cinch Bag using 2 T-shirts
Great for using super cute or favorite t-shirts that don't fit. Upcycle them into a lined cinch bag for hauling around all your stuff.

Posted by Becky from South Jordan, Utah, United States • Published See Becky's 9 projects »
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  • How to make a backpack. 2 T Shirt Cinch Bag - Step 1
    Step 1

    1) Cut 2 pieces out of the t-shirt for the outside of the bag– 14″ X 11″ {this size can be adjusted to your needs}

    Try to center the design in the middle of the rectangle. Don’t worry about having finished edges on these. They don’t need them.

    2) Cut 2 additional pieces from the second shirt – for the lining, ADDING 1″ to the top edge of both pieces {this will be folded down on top of the outside to hold the ties, my size in the example would be 15″ X 11″}–

    * cut out with the finished hem on one side, this will come in handy when sewing the bag together to have this finished already.

    3) Cut 2 strips 4″ long out of the neck or sleeve hem– used as the loops at the bottom of the bag

  • How to make a backpack. 2 T Shirt Cinch Bag - Step 2
    Step 2

    4) Fold the strip in half and pin to the side of the outside piece — 1″ from the bottom

  • How to make a backpack. 2 T Shirt Cinch Bag - Step 3
    Step 3

    5) Pin right sides together the front and back of the outside- Sew around the bag, leaving the top open

    6) Repeat with the lining t-shirt (there won’t be any loops to pin or sew)

    7) Stuff the lining inside the outside bag, wrong sides will be facing

    8) Match the side seams

  • How to make a backpack. 2 T Shirt Cinch Bag - Step 4
    Step 4

    9) Fold the extra 1″ down, on top of the outside bag, Pin in place

  • How to make a backpack. 2 T Shirt Cinch Bag - Step 5
    Step 5

    10) Sew around the whole top, along the bottom edge of the folded hem….. leaving a 1/2″ opening on either side of the bag for the tie opening.

    11) Cut 1″ wide ties X the length you need. If your shirt isn’t large enough, sew the strips together end to end *pull these ties and stretch them so they will naturally make a cord

    12) Tie one end of the strap to the loop at the bottom of the bag

  • How to make a backpack. 2 T Shirt Cinch Bag - Step 6
    Step 6

    13) On the same side you tied the strap to, feed the tie through the hole, going all the way around the bag and coming back out of the same hole

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Comments

ChristineMarie
ChristineMarie · Cincinnati, Ohio, US · 110 projects
i ordered a shirt online that said a WL and it was obviously not and it would cost too much to send it back so this is perfect Happy i shall make me a Castiel bag like this Happy THanks for the tutorial Happy
Becky
Becky · South Jordan, Utah, US · 22 projects
That's a great idea! I hate miss sized items, but to reuse them is a great idea. Good luck!
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