How to Upcycle Your T-shirt to a Tote Bag

Hi Kenarry readers, it’s Lori back again from Greco Design Company and I’m here today to show you how to upcycle your favorite T-shirt into a fun tote bag that’s perfect for the beach – no sewing required!

All you need for this project is a T-shirt, scissors and a ruler. Easy peasy!

What I love too about this project is that you don’t need to buy anything. I used some old T-shirts that my daughter had outgrown, and one T-shirt of mine that I really loved but it just didn’t fit right anymore. Instead of throwing these cute T’s away, give them a new life as either a small or large tote bag. And I found that these bags are perfect for the beach. Which I promise will be here soon enough!

Here are the steps for transforming your cute T-shirt into a tote bag:

First, gather your cute T-shirt(s), ruler and a good pair of scissors. The larger the T-shirt, the larger the bag, it’s that simple! I’ve used all 100% cotton T’s and they work great.

Cut the sleeves, neckline and bottom seam off your T. I ended up trimming the neckline along the back of the T so that it was even with the front too.

Next, using your ruler, cut 1″ wide strips anywhere from 5-10″ up along the bottom of your T. I wanted my octopus bag to be pretty deep so I cut my strips only 5″ high. The longer you cut the strips, the longer the fringe will be, and the less deep your bag will be.

Then, hold the top of each strip down (where they attach to the T) and pull each strip to the end until it stretches out. The strips will curl in and this is just what you want.

Finally, tie the strips into square knots. Take the top and bottom matching strips and tie them together, until all the strips are tied.

Trim off any stay threads and now you have a fun beach – or anywhere – tote that you can stuff with flip flops, snacks and some good beach reading.

If you want to add a little something extra to your tote – or your T is just too plain for your liking – you can hot glue fabric flowers right onto the bag. I bought these flowers at Joann Fabrics and added them to one of my smaller totes.

This upcycle project makes for a great rainy day activity. And it’s a great way to hold onto that favorite T-shirt – especially for those little ones who outgrow their adorable clothes so quickly! This also makes a fun birthday party activity. Lots of possibilities!

If you enjoyed this post, check out some of my other upcycled DIY posts:

Upcycled Gold Desk Organizer

Upcycled Tin Can Lanterns

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Lori is a freelance graphic designer living in the Boston area with her husband, their three kids and a yellow lab puppy. She started Greco Design Company in 2014 when she realized that her love for design was extending beyond the corporate advertising world and into all areas of her life. She shows us some unique but simple DIY projects, gives some great ideas for home design, provides her outlook on current fashion trends, and loves to do beauty and product reviews. She incorporates her graphic design background through her free printables, paintings, signs, art prints, invitations and stationery on her blog and in her Etsy shop. Lori believes in the importance of surrounding ourselves with good, purposeful design that can help streamline our lives and still be affordable. Her tutorials are easy to follow as she shows how you can make anything you set your mind to!

Follow Lori on Facebook and Pinterest.

Filed Under: Craft Ideas, Gift Ideas Tagged With: Crafts, Creative Team, Gift Ideas, Mother's Day, Summer, Upcycle