Cut Out + Keep | Project » Very Jerry Bag

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Very Jerry Bag

Jerry would be proud of this hip little number!
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I made this project out of a Very Jerry Ale T-shirt that was originally from a bar in Myrtle Beach. It was gifted to me by a friend who bought it in a thrift store. I loved the print on it, but the shirt was really stiff and old and fit me terribly. To salvage the sweet design I remade it into this nice bag. I must admit, I snagged the idea for the project from Mari Santos at http://wiredminds.ca/mari/urbn/urban.html

What a great designer!! Here is a tutorial for how I made the bad. I am sure you could do it with any T with a design on it you like, and any other kind of trim or scraps you have laying around. Some appliqué or a lining would be a nice addition!

Sorry I only have pics for the first few steps.. I got tired of taking them. haha. Let me know if it is confusing at all!

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Step 1 - Open up the side seams of your T, also cutting through the bottom of the sleeves
Step 2 - Flip the shirt inside out and fold up the bottom edge to the neckline
Step 3 - Fold the whole T shirt over so you can see the design again. Then, cut around the design with the shape you like for the bag. A simple shape works best here. I picked a rounded shape. A square or rectangle would also work well.
Step 4 - The back top of my bag has the bottom seam of the shirt, which was not sewn through, forming a small casing. I needed to make another casing on the front. I folded the edge over 1/4" and then folded that over to make the casing the same size as the back.
Step 5 - Fold the right sides together and sew the side seams.
Step 6 - Flip the bag right side out and pin your lace right underneath the casing all around.

Sew it on, but be careful not to sew through your casing!!
Step 7 - I cut 2 pieces of stretchy shirt fabric from another project's leftovers, but you can just cut strips from the T if you like. Cut four pieces, each 1" thick (or more or less depending on how you like it.. just be sure it fits through the casing!) and ~2ft long

Sew two pieces together, and then the other two together, so you have 2 very long strips of T shirt material.
Step 8 - Feed one strip through the front casing, and one strip through the back casing. Tie the ends of the front together in a knot and then a bow. Repeat to the back.
Horray! Your bag is finished! Take it out on the street!

People who love this project (14)

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Cat Morley

Feb 17, 2008 7:20pm

This rocks, great job!

Candace H.

Feb 17, 2008 7:42pm

Very cool! Thanks for the tutorial. I have some really cool t-shirts that don't fit so well either, but I like the design on them. Now I can show them off--thanks! (I love the lace touch with Jerry's white beard)

Jasmin N.

Feb 17, 2008 9:44pm

thats cool... and i have a bunch of t-shirts i could use

K@ti

Feb 17, 2008 9:44pm

I know exactly what t-shirt im going to use as soon as it doesn't fit anymore, it says "kill you TV"

p.s. I love the lace, very classy

Ryden

Feb 18, 2008 1:36am

Thanks for the compliments guys! I have been waiting so long to do something with this T and I finally did it! I like the straps made from T shirt material too because they stretch with the weight of the bag. I would think it would be better for dancing too. However, it is a bit limiting, because you don't want to carry too much, or else the purse will be at your feet!