Make a Reusable Shopping Bag from an Old T-Shirt

I’m always on the lookout for creative uses for t-shirts. We have a bunch collecting dust in our closets and they are readily available at resale shops.Martha Stewart has a fabulous idea for making a reusable shopping tote out of t-shirts. What a fun way to reuse all those souvenir and college tees. This bag is simple to make:

Sew the very bottom of the t-shirt together, then cut off the sleeves, and cut around the neckline. I’m already thinking up ways to fancy this up (reinforcing the top and using ribbon trim and handles, etc). Visit Martha’s link to watch a video and get step by step directions.

This project is simple, so even my youngsters can make these with minimal help– the bags make wonderful sleepover packs. (Pssst… you can also make pillowcases.)

What other reuse projects do you know of using old t-shirts?

By Jamie Ervin, Green Options

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Carole R.

9:53AM PST on Nov 25, 2011

Good ideas.

send a green star

Shanni P.

1:34AM PST on Nov 20, 2011

My 12-year old daughter made one from an old t-shirt but instead of stitching the bottom she cut fringes and tied them together. She did it as part of a tour she went to at an organic farm. I keep it in my bag and boast with it every time I tell the cashier "no thanks, I don't need a plastic bag"

Tim C.

10:57AM PDT on Aug 8, 2011

thanks.

Brenda T.

8:52AM PDT on Jul 6, 2011

Thanks !

Jo A.

2:05AM PDT on Jun 10, 2011

great recycling idea! fun to do too! effective statement when you use it!

Peggy D.

7:04AM PDT on May 29, 2011

Try using old stockings/panty hose to clean chrome or other metal fixtures. Add soap or cleaner, rub the fixture lightly, rinse (and rinse the stocking). I've done this since wearing panty hose in high school in the 1960's.

Llana Y.

12:58PM PDT on Apr 27, 2011

like it, but this was in the book generation t years ago

Valerie L.

1:16PM PST on Feb 4, 2011

cool!

Elaine H.

12:53PM PST on Dec 16, 2010

Tnx! *ll:~)

mariah f.

1:12AM PST on Dec 1, 2010

A wonderfull and useful idea. Thanks for it.