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A fun and powerfulDIY tote bagfrom an old shirt anyone can make.

A great upcycling fabric project for sewing enthusiasts.

diy tote bag

Well, whatever the reason, fret not; I have a great DIY project for you!

Youre going to be making a fabulous tote bag from one of those old shirts!

Dont tell me you dont need another toteeveryone does.

diy tote

Theyre perfect for carrying groceries, books, towels on a beach trip…you get the point.

So go ahead and pick out a shirt from your stash.

That way, they wont move around while you cut them.

tote bag with accesories

Once youve cut the shirt, you should have two swatches of fabric like this.

Step 3

Next, you gotta measure and cut out another fabric to use as lining.

If your outer fabric is sturdy, then you might do without a lining inside.

diy tote bag

But lining will ensure that the bag is sturdier.

Simply pin the outer fabric on the lining fabric and then grab your scissors and start along the edges.

You should now have four swatches of fabric, two each for the lining and the outer material.

craft supplies

Just slide a few sewing pins to secure and close those gaps before you get going sewing.

Next, pull out your sewing machine and sew all the way down the button gaps to shut them.

check that that the ends are aligned.

craft supplies

Leave the top open, of course.

Next, go ahead and sew the three sides of the lining fabric.

you could sew the outer fabric, as well.

measuring shirt

Use your fingers to push the edges out while youre at it.

However, leave the shirt as it is with the wrong side facing out for now.

Youre going to take your shirt fabric and push it into the lining fabric.

measuring shirt length

Its time you dealt with those!

Just fold the lining and the shirt inward toward the inside of the bag.

Repeat this step all around the mouth of the bag until you have an even and aligned rim.

traced tote shape

Cut two strips of cotton ribbon or webbing, each around 36 inches long.

you’ve got the option to always customize the length of the straps.

Grab a sewing pin and secure the straps in place.

pinning shirt outline

Remember to test whether both straps are even and of the same height.

Step 10

Youre all set to start sewing your tote bag.

Go ahead and set up your sewing machine before you roll sewing.

cutting shirt

This will hold the ends in place quite well.

Just flip the bag inside out, and your tote bag is ready to use!

How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Tote Bag?

cut out shirt

How much fabric you need for a tote will depend on how big you want your bag to be.

Also, the shirt you use will also determine how big your bag turns out.

If you remember, you cut the shirts from sleeve to sleeve.

fabric

How Do You Make a Tote Bag Without a Sewing Machine?

it’s possible for you to make a tote bag without a sewing machine.

The first method would be to simply sew it by hand.

pinning shirt to fabirc

That means your bag will be a no-sewDIY project!

cut our fabric squares

pinning shirt together

sewing shirt

folding shirt

pinning edges

pinned fabric edges

sewing fabric

fabric squares

truning fabric inside out

fabric squares

putting shirt inside fabric pocket

shirt inside fabric

shirt inside fabric

holding purple fabric

folding fabric

folding fabric

pinning edges

pinning fabric

pinned fabric

strips of cotton ribbon

pinning straps

pinning straps

pinned straps

sewing tote

sewing straps

sewn in straps

completed tote bag

hung up tote bag

holding totebag

diy tote bag