Tee Shirt Tote
This Tee Shirt Tote is a great way to recycle tee shirts that have “shrunk” and really don’t fit anymore or you have just outgrown them. It gives a new life to an old friend and helps to reduce the number of plastic bags you need when you go shopping.
Supplies
Regular Tee Shirt
Fabric Scissors
Needle and thread or fabric glue
Pony beads (optional)
Instructions
Using fabric scissors, cut the sleeves off the tee shirt. Cut a scoop out of the front and the back of the neck. The fabric left will be the handles.
Cut the hem off the bottom. There are several ways to finish the bottom. The quickest way is just to turn the shirt inside out and sew or glue across the bottom. Or you can stitch 3” from the bottom (do not turn inside out) and cut fringes every ½”. If the kids want to, they can slide a pony bead on each fringe and tie a knot under the bead.
Another way to finish is to tie the ends together across the bottom instead of sewing. To decorate, place a piece of cardboard inside the tote. Cut a shape out of the compressed sponge. Run under water to expand. Squeeze out extra water. Squeeze paint onto wax paper. Using less paint will give a better result. Press the sponge into the paint. Wipe off excess. Press onto tote. Talk to the kids about using their tote when they go shopping instead of getting plastic or paper bags with each purchase. You probably have tee shirts or tank tops at home that no one wears. Why not turn them all into totes for the whole family?
Contributor
These projects are created by Terri, Betty, Jamie or one of the talented staff members at MakingFriends.com. They have been created exclusively for publication on FreeKidsCrafts.com with supplies you'll be able to find around your house.
