How to Make Your Own Tote Purse From an Old T-shirt

You can make colorful tote purses from old T-shirts.

With just one seam, you can make a tote purse from an old T-shirt. Since T-shirt fabric does not ravel, the cut edges of the tote purse’s handle and top opening do not need hemming or finishing. This tote is perfect as an environmentally friendly grocery bag or as a rooming knitting carryall. Your favorite old T-shirts will find new life as these tote purses, which make inexpensive gifts. Teenagers with an interest in sewing will also enjoy making these totes.

Things You'll Need

• Old T-shirt
• Cereal bowl
• Fabric pencil
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Lay the T-shirt on a flat work surface. Match up all seams carefully.

2. Place half of an upturned cereal bowl over the center of the neckline of the T-shirt. Draw a line with a fabric pencil following the curve of the bowl on the T-shirt. Cut along the pencil line with the scissors, clipping through both the front and back of the T-shirt.

3. Cut off the T-shirt sleeves at the seams with the scissors. The open seams form the tote's handles.

4. Turn the T-shirt inside out and pin together the bottom edges. Sew a straight seam 1/4-inch from the edge.

5. Turn the finished T-shirt tote purse to the right side.

References

• “Crafty Chica’s Guide to Artful Sewing”; Kathy Cano-Murillo; 2009
• “Generation T: Beyond Fashion”; Megan Nicolay; 2009