Make A Tote Bag From A Tee Shirt
Turn an old favorite tee shirt into a fun and useful tote bag. This project is perfect for older kids and teens who have some basic sewing experience. It makes a thoughtful gift for Father’s Day, especially if you use a shirt from a favorite sports team or hobby. You can customize the size and design to fit just about any style.
Supplies
- Old tee shirt or sweatshirt
- Lining fabric
- Licensed or themed fabric (optional)
- Webbing for straps (or extra fabric from sleeves)
- Foam interfacing or stabilizer
- Scissors
- Sewing machine and thread
- Pins or clips
- Measuring tape
Instructions
Prepare the Shirt
Cut off the waistband if using a sweatshirt so the fabric lays flat. Draw a horizontal line just below the neckline ribbing.
Find the center of the design on the shirt and mark it. Measure 10.5 inches to the left and right of center to create a total width of 21 inches.
Draw a rectangle that is 21 inches wide by 18.5 inches tall. Adjust the size if needed based on your shirt. Cut out the rectangle for both the front and back.
Cut the Lining
Fold your lining fabric along the bottom edge and cut a piece that is 21 inches wide by 18 inches tall.
If you prefer, you can place your cut shirt piece on the lining fabric and cut around it, adding about 1/2 inch extra at the bottom.
Sew the Outer Bag
Place the shirt pieces right sides together. Pin and sew along the bottom edge, then press the seam open.
Lay the foam stabilizer behind the wrong side of the fabric and trim it to match the size.
Fold the fabric with the foam in place and pin the side seams. Sew both sides, leaving the top open.
To create a boxed bottom, flatten one bottom corner so the seam is centered. Measure 6 inches across the triangle, mark, and stitch across. Repeat on the other corner.
Turn the bag right side out.
Make the Pocket
Cut two pieces of fabric about 6.5 inches by 12 inches.
Place right sides together and sew around the edges, leaving a 4 to 5 inch opening. Turn right side out and press.
Position the pocket about 5 inches down from the top of the lining fabric. Pin and sew it in place, closing the opening. Add extra stitching lines to create smaller compartments if desired.
Sew the Lining
Repeat the same steps as the outer bag using the lining fabric. Leave a 6 inch opening in one side seam for turning later.
Assemble the Bag
Place the outer bag inside the lining with right sides facing each other. Pin around the top edge and sew.
Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining. Stitch the opening closed.
Push the lining inside the bag, press the top edge, and topstitch around the opening.
Add the Straps
Cut two straps about 28 inches long.
Position each strap about 5 inches from the side seams. Use small squares of fabric to cover the ends and stitch them securely in place with an X pattern for extra strength.
Tips
- Use a shirt with a bold graphic for the best look
- Let kids help pick out fun fabrics for the lining
- This bag can be used for sports gear, books, or everyday errands
Patterns, Templates and Printables
There are no printable templates required for this project, but you can sketch your bag dimensions on paper before cutting to help with planning and accuracy.
Teacher Friendly Educational Extension
This project is a great way to introduce basic sewing skills and recycling concepts.
Students can learn about measuring and cutting fabric accurately, which ties into math skills. You can also discuss the importance of reusing materials and reducing waste.
For a classroom activity, have students design their own tote bag using paper first. They can plan colors, patterns, and pocket placement before creating the real version.
Supplies
Old sweatshirt
Lining fabric
Licensed fabric (optional)
Webbing
foam interfacing
Instructions
Cut the Sweatshirt First, cut off the waistband so that you can smooth out the fabric.
You now have straightened out the front and back sides of the sweatshirt. Draw a horizontal line just below the neckline ribbing.
Determine the center point of the motif and mark. Mark the spot 10.5″ to the right and left of the center point so that you have a line 21″ across, centered on the motif.
Draw lines on either side and across the bottom to create a 21″ W x 18.5″ H rectangle. You may need to modify these dimensions based on your motif and sweatshirt size.
Cut Lining If you have enough fabric, fold your lining fabric along the bottom and cut to a size of 21″ W x 18″ H (you don’t need a seam allowance due to the fold.) Or, you can be lazy and lay your cut sweatshirt on your fabric so that it extends 1/2″ below the fold and cut out the fabric.
Sew Outer Bag With right sides facing, pin and sew the lower edge of the bag together. Press seam allowance open.
Lay out the stabilizer foam and place the wrong side of the sweatshirt against it. Trim the foam to the same size as the sweatshirt.
A few notes on the foam stabilizer:
If you are using the Pellon, it only is 20″ wide, so you will have to make a slightly smaller bag.
There is a fusible foam available online. You can use a fusible web, also.
In this case, I did not use any fusible. I simply sewed it in. The foam compresses easily so that it is not difficult to sew. The seams can get a bit bulky. So if you want to minimize those, you would want to choose a fusible.
You could baste the sweatshirt to the foam, but I didn’t bother to do that. I simply folded the sweatshirt with the foam behind it, so that they were right sides together and pinned both sides, leaving the top open.
Sew the two sides seams. To create a boxed bottom, place the bag on my ironing board with the seam facing up.
Grab the end so that the seam is centered in your hands. Measure 6″ across this triangle and mark. Stitch across this line and repeat on the other side. I typically trim the excess off, but you can leave it if you feel it gives your bag more stability.
Turn the bag inside out. You can baste along the top edge if desired.
Sew Pocket Cut two pieces of fabric 6.5″ x 12″ (or any size you wish.) You can interface the fabric for strength, if desired.
With right sides facing, sew around the edges of the rectangle and leave a 4″ – 5″ opening along the bottom. Turn inside out and press.
Place the pocket 5″ below the opening and centered, horizontally, on the lining fabric. Pin and stitch, closing the bottom opening. Add an additional line of stitching on the pocket to create compartments of various sizes
Sew Lining Repeat the steps for sewing the outer bag using the lining. However, on one of the side seams, leave a 6″ opening in the seam for turning the bag inside out.
Sew the outer bag to the lining. Place the outer bag inside the lining, right sides facing. Pin the lining to the bag around the top. (Wonder clips work really well and I used them later!)
Turn inside out using the open side seam. Stitch the opening closed. Push the lining inside and press around the top edge.
Pin or clip the top edge and top stitch.
Add Straps Cut two straps, each 28″ long. (If you don’t have webbing, use the extra sweatshirt fabric from the sleeves.)
Cut two 1.5″ squares out of extra sweatshirt fabric. Place the webbing 5″ from the side seams and cover with one of the squares. I put the fuzzy side facing out for some interest. Stitch around the square and in an “X” shape to secure the webbing beneath.
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Contributor
Diane Gilleland has made things her whole life, and would gladly give up most household chores for an afternoon of serious crafting. She has a bi-weekly Pod Cast that is all about Making Stuff.
