diy Bag shopping

This is such an easy project, it barely qualifies for a tutorial. Probably THE easiest tote you can make. These t-shirt totes are strong, roomy, durable. . . washable! We’ve been using t-shirt totes for a few years now, for shopping (when I remember to bring them in the store,) for picnics, hiking, day trips. If they can haul lunch for a gaggle of hungry Monkeys, you know these suckers are roomy and tough. This is also an inexpensive project, as you can use t-shirts you have on hand, like those less-than-perfect t-shirts that might otherwise be destined for the rag pile or trash. I like to pick them up at thrift stores, usually for less than $1. (One thrift store in the Dallas area would sell 10 shirts for $3.00. Crazy!) You can use any size t-shirt you like, but I find that a men’s XL works best for our needs. Anything bigger than that gets a little… wonky. Too stretchy. But use whatever you like — experiment! Now, on to the tutorial. . . . Pick a shirt. This one is a men’s Medium. Nice! Cut the shirt. of course, I have to save the scraps for another project. 😉 Sew along the bottom hem of the shirt. You can stop now if you like. I prefer to do one more step, as it makes a very strong seam along the bottom of the tote. Plus, I can brag that I put in a fancy french seam. 😉 Turn the tote inside out. Now sew another seam along the bottom, encasing the edge of the t-shirt (and the first seam) inside this new seam. It doesn’t have to be exact. Just go on feel. You can feel the hem of the shirt along the bottom, so just sew the second seam along that. There. You just made a french seam! Turn the bag right-side out. . . Aaaand done. Easy! not even half-full. . . holding 2 lbs of pasta, 2 cans of soup, and almost 3 lbs of oatmeal, with plenty of room to spare! Easy, cheap, fun, and versatile! Whip up a few of these and see what you think. I bet you’ll enjoy using the totes as much as I do! 🙂