How to Make a T-Shirt Handbag

Make a simple handbag from a T-shirt.

Recycle a T-shirt from a concert or vacation to create a fun and funky purse. You can make a T-shirt handbag in less than an hour. Use a heavyweight 100 percent cotton shirt for best results. Choose a T-shirt with a pocket for handy storage of small items. You could also make one or more pockets from the cut-off sleeves and sew them to your bag. Carry your new purse by the handles created from the arm openings or slip it up on your shoulder for hands-free convenience.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine with zigzag
• Thread

Instructions

1. Lay the shirt out flat on a firm surface with the front facing up and the shoulders seams, sides and bottom even. Cut around the neckband on the front through both the front and back layers to make the opening in the top of the handbag.

2. Sew around the neck opening 1/2 inch from the cut edge, being careful not to stretch the fabric. Turn the fabric to the inside on the stitch line, and zigzag around the neck opening 1/4 inch from the edge.

3. Cut through the sleeve fabric 1/2 inch away from the seam to remove both sleeves. Turn the 1/2 inch of fabric to the inside at the seam line, and zigzag around the arm opening 1/4 inch from the edge.

4. Lay the shirt out flat on a firm surface with the top, sides and bottom even. Cut straight across the shirt at the depth you would like for your handbag, or cut a curved bottom. Pin the cut edges together.

5. Sew a 1/4 inch seam along the cut edge with the shirt right side out. Remove the pins as you sew. Turn the shirt wrong side out and sew a 1/2-inch seam along the bottom edge to finish and encase the bottom seam.

6. Turn your new handbag right side out.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a tank top to make a tote bag with a prefinished opening and handles.

References

• Martha Stewart: Good Thing: T-Shirt Bag

Resources

• CraftStylish: How to Recycle a T-Shirt into a Tote Bag Using Duct Tape