How To Make a No-Sew Recycled T-Shirt Tote Bag
Did you outgrow your favorite t-shirt? Don’t just throw it away! Now you can turn your special tee into a cool DIY tote bag. No sewing necessary! This super fun project is a quick one too.
Project Time: 15-20 minutes
Supplies
- Old T-shirt
- Fabric Scissors
- Ruler
- Fabric Pencil or Marker
Step 1: Lay your T-shirt on a cutting mat or table. Make sure all the edges for the sleeves and bottom of the t-shirt are even. Cut off the sleeves with fabric scissors. This will be the handles for the tote bag.
Step 2: Cut around the t-shirt collar with the fabric scissors. This will be the top of your tote bag.
Step 3: Turn your t-shirt inside out. Lay the shirt flat and even up the bottom edge of the t-shirt. Decide how large you want your bag to be. If you have a design on your t-shirt, you may want it to end below the design. Place a ruler horizontally under the t-shirt design or about 2 inches from the bottom of the t-shirt.
Step 4: Use your fabric pencil or maker to make a line across the t-shirt.
Step 5: With the front and back of the t-shirt together, cut small strips, about 1 inch wide. Make sure to stop at the horizontal marker line you made earlier.
Step 6: Starting at the left, grab a front strip and a back strip and tie a knot. Make you’re your knot is tight to the base. Continue to do this for the rest of the bottom of the t-shirt. Hold your t-shirt up and if you see small gaps between the knots, tie additional knots in between any spaces.
Step 7: Flip your t-shirt inside out. Stretch out the bottom to your desired shape. Now feel free to decorate or embellish! We saved the collar on this t-shirt and trimmed it to turn it into cute tie tops for the handles of the bag.
Put a stuffie or your favorite things inside and you are ready to go out with your own personal recycled t-shirt tote bag!
