How to Make a T-Shirt Tote Bag Without Sewing

Have you ever wanted to make a stylish, personalized tote bag, but don't know how to sew? Here is a way to create your own personal bag without ever having to touch a needle and thread or sewing machine. With a creative mind you can create a tote to carry books, makeup or children's toys.

Things You'll Need

• T-shirt
• Ruler
• Fabric scissors
• Iron-on hem tape
• Iron
• Cotton cord (length will vary)
• Large safety pin

Instructions

Getting Started

1. Iron out wrinkles from a clean T-shirt, in the color and size of your choice. Using your ruler, draw a line from armpit to armpit on the front and back of the T-shirt.

2. Cut along the drawn lines, removing the sleeves and collar of the T-shirt in one piece. Save this piece; it will be used to make shoulder straps.

3. Cut vertical slits about 4 inches along the bottom hem of the T-shirt, making sure that the front slits match up with the back slits. There should now be 1/2 inch thin strips of cloth hanging down from the bottom of the shirt.

The Bag

1. Take a back strip and a front strip and tie them together in a double knot. Continue doing this with the rest of the strips hanging from the bottom of the T-shirt. The bottom of the bag should now be closed.

2. Cut two small ¼ inch slits into the back of the tote bag, about 6 inches apart and about ¾ of the way up from the bottom. This will be where you will attach your straps.

3. Cut two more ¼ inch slits about 6 inches apart and 6 inches down from the top slits. Make sure not to get too close to the bottom of the bag; keep them at least 3 to 4 inches up.

Hemming

1. Cut a 3 inch vertical slit in the top of the cut-off end of the T-shirt. Make sure it is located where the front of the bag is; this will be where you will insert your drawstring.

2. Fold over the cloth edges around the cut off top of the T-shirt about 3 inches. Press the hem with your iron.

3. Stick the hem tape rough side down all around the underside of the folded hem. Make sure to place the tape about 2 ½ inches down from the top; this will leave adequate space to create a drawstring loop.

4. Pressing the underside of the hem against the hem tape, iron until the hem tape and the fabric stick together. This is the top of the bag, which will serve as a drawstring closing.

5. Attach the safety pin to the end of the cotton cord; this will help to make it easier to guide through the hole.

6. Insert the cotton cord into the opened slit, guiding it through the hemmed loop until the other end comes all the way through.

7. Tie knots at the ends of the drawstring to keep it from sliding back through the loophole.

Making Shoulder Straps

1. Take the excess cloth that you removed from the top of the T-shirt and cut it into six vertical strips, about an inch wide each and about 4 inches longer than the vertical area between the small slits you cut into the back of the bag.

2. Take three of the strips and slip them through the top left ¼ inch slit in the back of your tote bag and tie a knot in the end to keep it from sliding out of the slit.

3. Braid or twist the three strips together and slip the other end of the strap into the bottom left ¼ inch slit in the back of your tote bag, tying a knot in the other end to keep it from sliding out of the slit.

4. Repeat steps 3-4 for the other shoulder strap.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also use the cotton cord instead of excess T-shirt material to create shoulder straps. You can also add iron- or glue-on embellishments to your T-shirt tote bag for a more personal touch.

• This tote bag is not meant to carry heavy loads or tiny objects that can fall through the knotted bottom. Test the strength of your tote bag before using it.

Resources

• Green With Envy Purses and Totes