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Time
1h30

How to make a delicate old t-shirt into a neat, shallow purse
My dad gave me this old t-shirt he'd had in high school, featuring a superhero called "Hawkman." I loved the print, but the fabric was very fragile and the shirt had some holes and stains, so I created this shallow coin purse/fabric wallet sort of thing from it.
Since the fabric was in such a delicate condition, I doubled it up to add an extra layer so the whole thing wouldn't fall to pieces!

Posted by Christianna G. Published
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  • How to make a recycled pouch. Vintage T Shirt Coin Purse - Step 1
    Step 1

    Lay the shirt out flat and inspect it for damage. Notice the stains and holes in the bottom right corner; I made a deliberate attempt to avoid having to use those in my final product.

  • How to make a recycled pouch. Vintage T Shirt Coin Purse - Step 2
    Step 2

    Next, turn the shirt inside-out and cut off the sleeves. Cut the top of the shirt to square off the design, then through both layers of the shirt around the whole picture. You should end up with two identical squares or rectangles of fabric.

  • How to make a recycled pouch. Vintage T Shirt Coin Purse - Step 3
    Step 3

    Pin these two squares of fabric together at the top and bottom. ONLY sew the top and bottom of these squares shut!
    Then you should have a sort of "tube" of fabric, with the design facing out.

  • How to make a recycled pouch. Vintage T Shirt Coin Purse - Step 4
    Step 4

    Double the fabric in half, folding the design inward, to create the actual bag. Pin the sides and sew those shut, too. The fabric will be four layers thick as you're doing this, so unless you're sure your machine can handle it, do this by hand. (I didn't, and I have to replace the needle on my machine now. Oops.)

  • How to make a recycled pouch. Vintage T Shirt Coin Purse - Step 5
    Step 5

    Flip this back out and you have the body of your bag!
    To keep it shut, sew on a large button all the way through, or sew two magnets onto the inside of the bag.

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Comments

P3ACEADDICT
P3ACEADDICT
Your dad gave you a shirt when he was in high school. . . that was a vintage shirt you just CUT UP! Which could have been sold for a couple hundered. BTW.
Reply
Erin S.
Erin S. · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US · 6 projects
I love it. Too bad my dad doesn't have any cool shirts Happy
Reply
Kirsten F.
Kirsten F. · Salisbury, New Brunswick, CA
this is so cute! I love it
Reply
Lala
Lala · Aarhus, Central Denmark Region, DK
thank you, this is great, now i dont have to spend any money on new wallets : D
Reply

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