I just LOVE old t-shirt crafts because….
A) We ALWAYS have a plethora of old/outgrown t-shirts available in this house of 4 men/boys.
B) You can make some REALLY COOL stuff with them! :-) Things I’ve made to date include t-shirt grocery bags and t-shirt headbands. Things I WANT to make include this amazing t-shirt QUILT!
But that’s for another day……TODAY it’s all about these great knit produce bags I spied at Delia Creates!
I was initially quite taken with this idea because I really despise those little plastic produce bags at the grocery store! Lately I’ve just been putting my produce in my cart WITHOUT the bags because I can’t stand fighting with those stupid things…and I hate coming home with a bunch of plastic bags that I immediately throw away. You really can’t even save and reuse them like regular plastic grocery bags.
Sorry….sort of went off on a rant there. Back to my point….
I DO like the idea of using these for produce bags….but the more I thought about it…the more I realized these would ALSO be perfect summertime totes! The open weave would be perfect for sandy beaches or the playground at the park. Sand and dirt would slip right through! They would also be nice for toting your beach towel and sandals to and from the beach or pool.
So let me show you just how EASY they are to make!
#1 Cut a large dome shape out of the body of the t-shirt.
#2 Sew around 3 (rounded) sides (I sewed a small seam and then when back over and zig-zagged the edge.)
#3 Mark cuts with WASHABLE pen/pencil.
#4 Snip slits with scissors or with rotary cutter. (The rotary cutter was a super slick way to do this. I got my cutter and the small cutting mat for less than $20 at Walmart)
#5 Cut off top corners and an opening for the handle
#6 S T R E T C H the bag to open up the “vents” (and make it look ruffly and pretty! It will look even more ruffly after being washed and dried.)
#7 Start toting stuff!
Oh. My. Gosh!! I am so making these!! We are going camping on Cape Cod, MA for a week and these will be absolutely perfect!! Thank you so much for posting this! I am loving this!!
You could also stash them in a pocket, your purse, or the car for reusable shopping bag.
What a fun idea! These would be great to keep produce from the garden in the refrigerator. I make drawstring bags now but this sounds great. Thanks.
These are really awesome…not only are they practical but they are so stylish! I’m always looking for ways to recycle clothing…I have a 4-guy household as well and man-stuff abounds! I made a pillowcase for my son a few months ago out of one of his favorite t-shirts and now my younger boys want some as well. (in case you would like to see…here it is! http://cupcakesandcrinoline.com/2012/04/5-minute-t-shirt-pillowcase/ )
Have a great weekend!
Ooo, I bet I could make 2 out of DH’s old shirts by turning the pattern 90 degrees. Great idea! I can’t stand those plastic produce bags, either!
Yuck! I saw a documentary once about how filthy shopping carts are and I can’t believe you put your produce in them without a bag, or in bags with holes like that where the produce could still touch the cart. You wouldn’t if you knew what was growing on them! Flesh eating bacteria among others!
Do you think the harmful things in plastic are better? This is why you should ALWAYS wash all produce, whether you eat the “skin” or not. Bring your own reusable shopping bags and it solves both the plastics problem and the bacteria problem!
How big were the slits? (Am I being to “A” personality-ish?) And, Mary, as long as you wash your produce it should be fine.
Not at all! I should have included that. The slits were 1 1/2 inches, with 1 1/2 inches in between each one. :-)
I love this idea! I don’t know how to sew, but I suppose it’s time to learn! My question is, what size t-shirts did you use? Is there a size that works particularly well for this project? I ask because I too have a house full of boys who wear out/don’t want/outgrow t-shirts constantly! They vary in size from a kids medium to adult XL! Any guidance on this one? Thanks!
I would think you could use any size shirt… just adjust the cuts accordingly :). That way you’ll have some in all sizes :)
An idea for those plastic produce bags that you hate so much: if you have a little one in diapers, stash a few in your diaper bag to seal up the particularly offensive dirty ones when disposing in an open garbage can in public!
real cute!!!!!!! thank you!
I just made one. It will make a great laundry bag for college.
I used a Large man’s Tshirt and I used the full width so I didn’t have to sew up the sides!
Thanks for a great recycling tip.
Great idea! Thanks for sharing Sherry!
Cute idea! I’d love to make some by cutting different patterns – or none at all so my carrots don’t poke through ;0)
I made these for party favor bags for my 4 year old son’s beach birthday party. I used my hubby’s old white t-shirts and made two bags side by side (using existing side seams for one side of the bag) out of each shirt. Then just below the handle, I used puffy paint to write each child’s name and drew a little beachy picture (fish, bucket, sunshine). I then got a bucket and shovel or a blow up ring for each kid, this was such an easy, cheap and adorable party favor! Thanks for the great idea!
Thanks for this idea! I also made a laundry bag for college, out of a giant, ugly tank top I got for free. I just sewed up the bottom and left the straps to use for handles. Now I’ve got something to do with all those shirts people hand out to advertise various student-oriented apartment complexes. Yay!
so cute!! getting ready to make my first one right now… any ideas on what to do with the other part of the shirt? :)
very awesome idea! I was inspired by your story! Thank you for sharing it…so happy for you and wish you much success with your blog and will continue reading it! :)
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I found this site that doesnt deal with diy but has a cool article about the many ways you can reuse the t-shirts you dont like anymore. Now if only I could have time do them all :D http://blog.tshirt-factory.com/recondition-your-old-sentimental-t-shirts.html
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There is definately a lot to learn about this topic.
I love all the points you have made.