No-Sew 10 Minute T-Shirt Tote

Did you know that about 100 billion plastic bags are used annually in the US alone and only about 2% of them are recycled? Check it out at www.droptheplasticbag.org.

It's a scary statistic but we can all do small things to help our earth! Using reusable bags or totes is a very easy way to do your part. It is a great alternative to buying reusable bags or taking merchandise home in plastic bags from stores and much more fashionable! They are durable and will last a long time.

Everyone at some time or another has probably had an old t-shirt that they didn't need or like anymore. This is a way to improve that favorite old tee so instead of tossing it make it into a reusable tote in about 10 minutes.

All you will need is an old t-shirt and a pair of scissors.

Step 1: Cut Sleeves Off of Shirt

You can use a short or a long sleeved t-shirt. It won't matter since you will be cutting the sleeves off anyway.

Lay your t-shirt out on a flat work surface. Using a sharp pair of scissors cut the sleeves off of your t-shirt.

Comments

[icelandinthesun]

it took 12 minutes with my 3 year old watching. From the cut away collar you could make a child's sun shade by the way. We had such a great time!
I am going out to buy some groceries right now and will tell you how it went :-)

[AmyCat59]

I've got a Serger (4-thread overlock sewing machine), so will probably use this basic pattern but sewing the bottom together and reinforcing the handles with strips of fabric from the cut-off parts for extra strength...

Another idea: save one of the cut-off sleeves, sew (or tie) it closed at the cut end, and use it as a "stuff-sack" for the bag when it's not in use. You can even run a drawstring through the sleeve-cuff with a tapestry needle threaded with heavy yarn or crochet-cotton...

[wold630]

Unless you are hauling around weights (and I'm guessing your aren't!!!) the tote doesn't really need reinforcing. The t-shirt fabric is surprisingly strong but I guess it couldn't hurt.

My shirt sleeves were too small to make a 'stuff sack' but that is a GREAT idea! I love it.

[Browncoat]

Do the edges of the straps fray without sewing?

[wold630]

No, they have not frayed on mine. Once it stretches the fabric does curl a bit but does not fray.

[midsummermuse]

Very nice and quick! I've done this before by sewing across the bottom with the same beginning steps. ^_^

[wold630]

I've seen that done before. If you don't like the fringe look you can tie the ends inside the bag as to not see them!

[Chizuru_Oni]

This really is fantastic, but won't the edges fray a bit or stretch out and rip after a while?

[wold630]

It does stretch out a bit when it is packed full but since I don't cut off the bottom hem it can't fray. I haven't had any tears with them.

[Madrigorne]

I made these! I made these!
I was heading out to pick tomatoesafter work and didnt have any bags or my baskets so I stopped at the thrift store and bought some severely ratty-stained tshirts for fifteen cents and made tomato-picking bags.
And they're awesome.
And you're awesome for posting this and saving me.
You rock.

[wold630]

I'm so glad to hear you made these. Aren't they easy and fantastic??!! :) I'm so happy to have saved you!

[1inspirit]

GREAT IDEA, AND SO SIMPLE. MAYBE IT IS " EASY BEING GREEN " AND KERMIT WAS WRONG. :)

[wold630]

That's a great line, I might have to use it sometime! I will give you credit don't worry!! :)

[ljacoby714]

Absolutely brilliant—especially the no-sew aspect. I was about to toss out some beloved but fatally aged Ts, and now I have a reason to keep them. Thanks!

[wold630]

I'm glad you can keep your favorite old tees now!

[Divine Health and Wellness]

Thanks for sharing!! Great to do with teens too!

[wold630]

This would be a great project to do with teens who do not know how to sew.

[SunSmith]

Great idea. I'll use it for the stadium give-away t-shirts. That way I'll have a bag to put all of the stuff that I normally bring to the stadium - and keep it ready to go.
Thanks so much for posting this one.

[wold630]

Great idea!

[DivaB]

Love this!!!

[wold630]

Thanks, it's so easy.

[straycatmeow]

Fabulous recyling project! This would work fantastically also for a little kids purse especially if they have a FAVORITE shirt that they've outgrown but don't want to part with it

[wold630]

Great idea for an old favorite kids t-shirt. You should make one and post it on the kids craft challenge.

[Okok]

Great idea!

I sometimes make cushion covers out of t-shirts... I'l do the no-sew version in the next one, see how it works out with the fringe on both sides!

[wold630]

I would like to see the cushion covers. Post a picture here when you finish!

[bajablue]

Fabulous work, wold!!! No-sew projects always gets a "YAY!" from me! ;-)

A tank top would also work, don't you think?

[wold630]

Yes, I think a tank top would work great. You could skip cutting off the sleeves and the neck all together, assuming the neck isn't too small to get things in the finished bag. It would shorten the time to about 5 minutes and might even be stronger since it would be edged along those areas. Good idea, I didn't even think of using a tank!

[flyingpuppy]

Most excellent idea! Thanks for showing how to do it.

[wold630]

Thank you and I am always happy to post instructables. Especially when they are this easy and anyone can do it.

[scoochmaroo]

Love love love it!
Love the t-shirt, but like it even better as a tote. Now to grab all those Instructables shirts piling up my drawer. . .

[wold630]

Thank you.