Paper or plastic? How about neither! Both bags produce environmental waste and take months (or in the case of plastic, hundreds of years) to break down in landfills. Instead, choose cotton. Pick one of your most righteous shirts—one that reflects your athletic prowess, musical tastes, or political agenda, then turn it into a tote that’s shaped just like a plastic supermarket bag (to help you with the emotional transition). Make a difference, “in style,” as you load up on berries and broccoli at the local green market.
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Lay the T-shirt flat. Cut off the sleeves just inside the seams, cut off the hem, and cut out the neckband. Note: You can use an already existing plastic bag as a pattern, but in case you already eliminated all plastic from the premises . . .
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Mark about 7½" down the front of the shirt from each side of the neck hole. Then mark about 6½" down from the center of the neck hole.
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Draw a wavy line connecting the sides of the neckband with each of the three marks (it should look like a rounded letter “W”). Cut along the line through both layers of fabric.
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Mark 4" along the “shoulder” from each side of the neck hole. Draw a curved line from each mark, connecting it to the sleeve bottom. Cut along each line to remove excess fabric.
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Mark 4" from each corner along the bottom on both sides (front and back).
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Push the left corner of the T-shirt between the front and back layers of the shirt, toward the center, making a kind of pleat, until the marks on the front and back are aligned as shown. The result is a small accordion fold. Pin in place.
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Repeat on the right side. Pin the front and back sides together along the entire bottom edge.
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Sew two parallel rows of running stitches along the bottom edge, one ¼" from the edge and the second ½" from the edge for reinforced edges. Remove the pins.
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Fold the 4"-wide handles in half lengthwise, wrong sides in, making them just 2" wide. Sew a running stitch along the shoulder seam, securing the fold and reinforcing the handles.
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What are you waiting for? Go shopping already! Optional: Make two small arced cuts at the “peak” in the “W” to mimic the tabs on plastic bags.
Excerpted From Generation T: Beyond Fashion
Copyright 2009 by Megan Nicolay
Used by Permission of Workman Publishing Co. Inc., New York
Versions (3)
By Celeste T.
By nancy
By Carbonated-ii
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michelle G.
26 Mar 16:51
cool!
KMOM14
26 Mar 22:08
Very clear instructions and a great way to upcycle and old t-shirt. Thanks for sharing it with us!
Alyssa :)
27 Mar 00:57
This is awesome! I want one:D
Tami
27 Mar 03:12
Cuuute.
Kiki Katastrophe
27 Mar 04:58
these are such a great idea!!so awesome for the environment[:
..>¡Åñ∂®îåñå "Pü∂∂îñg"!<..
27 Mar 16:09
C-O-O-L~!!
This is a nice way to transform a t-shirt with a nice print.. to a bag which can show it off! I'm going to try making one soon! =D
Sharon H.
01 Apr 00:46
Great instructions! I've made several of these in a little different version. I sewed cut up sleeve on outside as pocket to fold the bag inside of itself. Great for portability.
ɐɯlɐ!
29 Apr 22:50
i'm going to try this.
wish me luck! i'm
going to need it.
Valerie B.
13 May 20:16
What a great way to recycle Tshirts you love but can't wear!! Can't wait to try this :)
Jaki-O
16 May 22:30
Worked great with a tank top, and I had to do a little less sewing because the "handles" were already strong :-)
Lena Landmine
05 Oct 11:07
Awesome idea. Awesome tutorial. Awesome photos.
Flawless victory.