T Shirt > Tote Bag

About

You Will Need (6 things)

Steps (8 steps, 180 minutes)

1. 1

   If you haven't already, cut the sleeves off the tshirt and cut across the width of both back and front of the shirt about 10cm from the bottom. (depending how long the shirt is and how big a tote you want, you might need more or less than this).

2. 2

   (possibly see step 4 first?) I then marked out the width I wanted for the bag using the pencil and ruler. I marked a long line down either side, pinned down the line and turned it inside out to check it was the size i wanted, then moved the pins a few cm and sewed down the line using my sewing machine. I used a small zig-zag stitch and went down both sides twice.

3. 3

   Next I marked out the bottom of the bag using the same method as above; a pencil line across, pinned, checked and sewed using the sewing machine.

4. 4

   I next (possibly should have done this before step 2.) made a small hem at the top of the bag to stop it fraying.

5. 5

   Then I took the 10cm piece from the bottom of the shirt in step 1 and cut down what would have been a tshirt side so it so it was one long strip. I then folded that strip in half and cut it into two long strips. (sorry I didn't take a photo of this)

6. 6

   I then folded both long strips in half legnth-ways, pinned them, sewed along the length and turned them inside out.

7. 7

   I pinned these to the the inside of the bag. I took the first strip, pinned it to the back of the bag roughly 2inches from either side, and copied this for the strip on the front. I then tested to make sure the length was OK when it was over my shoulder, and that both straps were the same length. Once it looked right, I stitch each of the four strip ends along the hem from step 4. I went over them 3 times to make sure it was strong enough to take a fair weight.

8. 8

   Finally, I cut off any excess fabric from the seams and joins and voila; a tote!