FASTEST RECYCLED T-SHIRT TOTE BAG

Step 6: STEP 6

-Turn the shirt right- side- out. YOU just made your own recycled tote bag!
Fill it with groceries, gym clothes, pool supplies, library books, etc! Keep one handy in your car!
T-shirt Totes are Machine Washable, Reusable and Strong! Just say NO to "paper or plastic"!

Comments

[charmom15]

I love this idea!! Thanks!

[binaspencer7]

for real thats it wow im amazed and in love
thanks

[crazyaboutbeads]

Cool! That's so simple....wow, I'm hooked. I'm really hooked. Don't call today, I'm busy making a t-shirt bag. :)

[sandy-g]

EXCELLENT....I love it!!!

[spon-tan-ii-us]

THIS BAG IS AMAZING!! Thanks a bunch <3

[andreskyj]

love this great idea im going to make a bunch congrats

[JessickaRay]

I love this i'ble. Thanks so much for it!

[leky]

brilliant

[pety]

Great idea, already made a lot of these. Very populair with friends and family.

I also use the sleeves and make small pouches of them. A long small strip of the t-shirt fabric works nice as a drawstring.
You can fold the bag and put it these pouches. Easy to put in your purse.

[WhyHello]

Had fun! made two, they actully look prtty chic! (tho i bought new ones for 3 bucks X3) I'll pst pictures soon!

[erinogrady]

I love this! I'm constantly buying the recycled grocery bags, so this will really help!! I've already made a couple out of my fiance's old T's! I think i'll make a couple from my old ones as well, so I can have a few different sizes!! Very thrifty! LOVE IT! <3.

[missunni]

hmm, it seems like a bit of a waste to my shirts.. it looks so simple and easy what could i do to make it more interesting and make it look less cheap.. :P if u kno wat i mean would i be able to make the opening in a V shape? i will still try this as it seems very easy! good job <3

[Elania21]

You could always go with a solid color shirt and do your own appliqués. You could also cut the arm holes a little deeper down into the sides of the shirt as well as cut the neck hole deeper (and narrower) for longer handles.

[CrystalDyes]

Great idea! I'm going thru hubby's Ts next week. One caution tho. There has been recent discussion about reusable bags for groceries. Designate one bag for meat only and wash it every time you use it. They, the germophobes, have found that the bags will grow E. Coli and lots of other nasties when "wet" foods are carried and the bag not washed between uses.

[Fanny Fink]

Very usefull and looks easy (unless using the sewing machine) thank you :)

[peachblossom]

Love it! My guys favourite old t-shirts that are faded but too cool to chuck out will now be reborn :).

[Jaanvi]

Thanx a ton! i am on it rite now!!!!!!!!........... my Mom will be so happy!

[walkerbarb]

Wow, I have a ton of T-Shirts I've been wanting to make a quilt out of but I think I'll give this a try ... good and easy....thanks

[Coliflower]

Wait a minute... quilt? That sounds quite interesting. Do you think you could post some photos or maybe even an 'ible on it if you get the chance? I'd like to make that.

[AnnieGFR]

T shirt quilt are really easy and fun!  Pick a size square that works with your T shirts for your block size.  Let's say 6 inches by 6 inches.  You will need the T shirts, a sewing machine, and some Freezer paper, which you can get in the grocery store.  It has a waxy side and a paper side.  We use the paper to make the T shirt fabric stiff so it won't stretch all over the place as we sew.

Step 1: Cut the T shirt fronts and backs bigger than 6 by 6 by at least an inch on each side.  Center whatever design you want in the section you cut out.  (Basically you are cutting off the sleeves and teh neck binding with this step.  Nothing fancy.)
Step 2: Cut Freezer paper into 6.5 x 6.5 squares.
Step 3: Iron (no steam) paper and fabric together with waxy side of paper touching the BACK of the T shirt fabric and the design you want from the T shirt centered in the square of the paper.  As you iron, the wax will melt and make the paper stick to the fabric.  Works best if you use a press cloth, like a washcloth, between the fabric/paper combo and the iron. 
Step 4: Trim the extra fabric away to leave the 6.5 inch squares. 
Step 5: Sew the squares together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Leave the paper stuck to the fabric while you sew.  This makes the T shirt fabric stiffer and less stretchy so it is easier to sew.
Step 6: If you plan to hang this quilt, then finish as usual and leave paper in.  If you plan to use and wash this quilt, then finish the top, rip out the paper - it will come off the fabric easily with a little tug - and then finish the quilt.  The first time you wash the quilt, the fabric will soften up again and feel like a regular T shirt.

Hope that was clear!  Good luck quilting!

 

[walkerbarb]

I have not made one yet but I hope it will be my winter project and I'll be sure to post it...

[~Natasha~]

Great instructable! I'll try this. :)

[squeaka1342]

sounds great! just got a sewing machine & been wanting to do somthn like this.. but doesnt the ray neckline rip? would it be better to hem that?> or has it held up for you?

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

I've made dozens of these...the t shirt fabric does not fray.  If you cut the circle in more of an oblong shape you could wear it on the shoulder.  I use mine for groceries...I don't carry gallons of milk in them though- just the boxes and produce and cans.  None have ripped- love that you can throw in the washer/dryer!

[squeaka1342]

are the straps long enough to fit over your shoulder? ♥

[Amzy]

great job!
just wondering... is it strong enough to carry a lot of heavy books? i had a tote bag i made with cotton fabric and it didn't last because of the weight ): now it became a pencil case xD...

[komecake]

  Great idea and so simple. Thanks. I'd just bought a couple of Green bags from Jo-Ann's instead of walking out with plastic bags. I really like them, but this is even better as I'll need a lot more for groceries!!! :)

[kdarden]

this is a great idea! My grandkids will love learning how to make their own bags!!

[rjscheergirl]

i'm going to try this, also did everything turn out okay with getting your gold award... i'd like to know all about it.

[AMBENDER]

I just did it with one of the dozens of old shirts I have lying around. My friend's sewing machine is giving me some trouble, but otherwise, it turned out great!! Thanks for the, how do you say... 'ible! ? ;-)

[AIMEERS]

What an awesome way to cut down on trash! Great instructions! We all need a few of these.

[hlaverdiere]

Very cute and simple idea and great project for kids and teens!

[dsmccreary]

Wonderful project. I can't wait to try it. I've bee browsing through looking for a bag that is easy to make and this is the easiest one I've seen so far. I have tons of Tshirts around the house too. Thanks for your creative idea and good luck with your GS project.

[monkeymandi23]

so cool. i was wondering if you could hand-sew it since i dont hve a sewing machine.=)

[sewmargaretsew]

Of course! I would recommend you double ply your thread, have your stitches VERY close together, and go over the bottom at least twice! It will be super sturdy, and very easy! Good luck!

[sewmargaretsew]

(removed by author or community request)

[monkeymandi23]

thx u and ur idea ROK

[phraug]

this sounds awesome! i was just wondering....where you cut out the neck, does the material fray or unravel? especially after washing? thanks!

[AlwaysAllTheTimeCrafting]

I've made several using these directions- none raveled. I have washed mine too- some cut edges curl under after washing/drying---it gives them a more "finished" looking edge.

[PMD6565]

You did an awesome job with this instructable. I'm directing GS day camp in 2 weeks. The theme is "Being Green". I might just use your idea. Thanks!!