Such a great idea! We have lots of t-shirts that don't fit or are from places we visited. In our area of Calif we have to pay for bags now even though I have always used my own shopping bags my husband doesn't. Now he will have something unique and cool to pack his groceries!

Tha's haw I do it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27X4AMNetFU

Thank you for this great tutorial. I tried the project last night, and it turned out great! You can read about it and see pictures here: http://organicaspirations.blogspot.com/2011/11/re-purposing.html

I love this! Can't wait to try it. I've linked to your tutorial as one of my 101 coolest reusable craft ideas. The full post is here, if you want to see more: http://liverichandfree.blogspot.com/2011/10/101-coolest-reuseable-craft-projects.html

This makes a perfect Earth Day project (10-13 year olds ) for school. The kids have their t-shirts sent to school - a nice mom volunteers to sew the bottoms. Kids get to do the cutting. Great sleepover bag! Will be doing this in class a 2nd year! Thank you for the great idea!

I made this but I used a tank top that was shrunk in the wash...I just sewed the bottom shut..A great bag for taking shoes or books washable and compact....I used a tank shirt that still had a lot of wear in it just shrunk...You can always use a favorite child's shirt as a toy carry all..That way they know who's bag belongs to what child...

Thanks for this frugal idea. I have shared it on my site with my frugalistas and they will love you for it.

http://attentiondealshoppers.com/?p=4952

I made a few tweaks to the instructions to reinforce the bag and a list of uses too.

Thanks again!
Ginger

This is EXACTLY what I have been looking for! Just a simple seam and a couple of cuts and you have the perfect market bag!! I can whip up a bunch for myself, and then start cranking them out for other people''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

If you want to watch the video jump it up to about 5 and a half minutes in, to get right to the craft..

Hi TheCaliforniaKid - Why not use HP Transfer paper and print out some iron ons that you can put on the t-shirt before making it into a bag?

Hi TheCaliforniaKid - Why not use HP Transfer paper and print out some iron ons that you can put on the t-shirt before making it into a bag?

I'm a member and the treasurer of a Star Trek fan club. I'm always trying to think of ways we of the club can recruit new members, or at least how to get the attention of other Star Trek fans, who are potentential new members to be. I think if I could make reusable bags with the club's name and a Star Trek phrase, it might do the trick. But how? I'm not good at sewing (have trouble getting thread to the eye of a needle) nor do I have a sewing machine.

A volunteer for our Hospital Auilliary Thrift Store makes these T shirt totes. The customers love them and are pleased that shirts we can't sell still have a life.
Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice

This made a great project for our 4-H club. It was a wonderful lesson in reducing and reusing and the kids left with a useful finished product. We found that sleeveless shirts and sweaters worked beautifully, also! They are using their tote bags at the library, church, music lessons, and the beach. The parents keep a few on hand in the car for shopping. LOVE IT - a useful project in less than 10 minutes with a roomful of kids!

I just tried this and it was sooo simple. Turned out really cute and worked great at the store. I was skeptical about it's strength and whether it would be too stretchy. No problem. I used a high quality shirt that had never been worn - it just wasn't the right size for anyone.

I think this is an awesome idea. Im going to school for education and I added this as a project to one of my hypothetical lesson plans. In fact, I thought up the idea first, then googled it to see if anyone had already done it yet-and what-do-ya-know? =)

Geez laurabanff why don't you keep your silly and impractical ( which you did spell wrong btw) comments to your self next time.We are all trying to do our part to reuse and recycle no matter how silly the ideas are at least they are productive and some of the most creative ideas I have seen yet. Maybe next time you could offer a "better" idea instead of a rotten comment. :P

geez laurabanff Why not keep your silly and impractical ( which you spelled wrong BTW) to your self , we are all trying to do our part to reuse and recycle,

I don't think this is a good idea at all - silly and impracticable. Not one that I would even try out.

I have made these for my daughters out of their old Volleyball T-shirts.
I added a fabric linning with pockets. They can put their sweaty sports
clothes and shoes in them. They are so easy to clean. They love them.
This would be great for a team or coaches gift.

I have made these for my daughters out of their old Volleyball T-shirts.
I added a fabric linning with pockets. They can put their sweaty sports
clothes and shoes in them. They are so easy to clean. They love them.
This would be great for a team or coaches gift.

I have made these bags to give all the ladies in our family for Christmas. I was actually thinking I could use them as the gift bag and eliminate wrapping paper!
My 3 yr old had a craft day with her friends to make these bags to use for trick or treating. (we used a childs x sm or sm). with spooky embellishments and glow in the dark paint, it will be a perfect accessory to any costume.

This is a great idea for helping the enviornment as well as finding interesting and usefull things to do with old "T's" I've bought the bags at my local grocery stores but they don't last very long. The seams break out first and the handles fall apart soon after. Thank you Martha for this easy and terrific idea.
Happyhenry in Tucson

This is a great idea and I will share this with biology teachers and students far and wide. Check out this other bag crocheted from plastic grocery bags - I found this website while surfing for crochet shopping bag patterns.
http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2008/07/19/the-ultimate-grocery-bag/

This idea has solved an old-standing dilema of mine by using a couple of pretty, beaded Tee's that I just couldn't throw out or give away... I've customised them to suit the styles along with my needs and now I can rest easy knowing that not only have I helped the enviroment but have done so with such style to boot!

I'll finally be able to talk my daughter into giving up her favorite (but too small) shirts....she can use them to store her toys or for holding "show and tell" items for school!!

Awesome Idea.. I can't wait to try this.. =)

I made these wonderful bags w/ my granddaughters and they did a project of making them in Girl Scouts. Recent surgery has me carrying large envelopes of xrays

I love this idea! I have canvas bags for my groceries already. So, instead of making bags with adult t-shirts, I used my childrens old small sports
t-shirts and I put my produce in them.

Wonderful idea!! Looking forward to making a few and not to use plastic bags any more. Thanks!!!!!!

what do you do to keep your meats or other cold stuff from leaking onto the fabric or through the fabric onto your car?

This is the greatest idea since sliced bread. I ordered 4 of the bags and they are great. What a terrific way to use t-shirts/sweatshirts that we don't wear anymore. These are so much better than what the stores are offering. They're easy to care for and are easy to store in the car. Thanks for a fantastic idea....... BB

this is the best thing to do whit old close me and my mom did it last night and there cute but at the same time helping so not many ppl can use bags that's bad thanks so much p.s i did it by hand not a good idea lol love-morgie

After watching you stamp the canvas bags on your show the other day this idea crossed my mind too. It's cool, I found this, "how to", on here today. Great minds think alike!
Great Idea!

I think this is the best idea every, not too much work, can be finished quickly, I also have some sweatshirts that no longer fit, so these will make very sturdy bags. I have found the bags that the stores sell don't all fold down very well and they take up alot of room. So t-shirts should be so much easier to store in my vehicle. LS

Thank You! This is a great tip.

One note: if your shirt is on the stretchy side, you might want to fuse on some iron-on interfacing to make it stronger....Jenny at CraftTestDummies

These bags were so quick and so easy to make. I love the fact that I can use my old t-shirts and give them a whole new life. I made my family some of these bags for earth day gifts and they loved them.

I love this idea! Keep the eco-freindly crafts coming!!! Great job!

http://cloud9designstudio.etsy.com
http://cloud9design.wordpress.com

Love the idea of using the t-shirts that accumulate in our drawers. Also cheaper than buying the bags stores have to purchase for groceries. Thanks!

I made 3 in no time and love them. I used my favorite tank tops so the neck opening was perfect and I didn't have to do any cutting! I am hooked! I will be unpacking my t-shirts from various travels and turn them into bags. Thank you so much for the idea! I am going to experiment with my baby's tiny shirts and turn them into lunch bags. Take a onsie, cut off the sleeves, turn it inside out, sew the arm and neck holes and have the crotch buttons as a handle! Oooo...I think I'll go make one now.

I love the t-shirt idea for shopping bags! I can't wait to empty my drawers of all those t-shirts we never wear and make something useful! I will definitely feel I am contributing to "going green"! Thanks.

I made 3 in 20 minutes. Did the extra seem that a previous posted described perfectly, hoping that they will "stand" better when full. I also used a sleeveless tee, they have the binding around the arms and necklines, and the neck was big enough so I didn't have to cut them for the handles. Such a wonderful idea!

What a wonderful idea! Can't wait to craft these myself! They make great gifts too!!

cool great idea thaniks Martha lookinh forward to use it soon
Danette

Just in time! I was agonizing over giving some of my favorite travel souvenir tees to charity. Now I'll make shopping bags!

For all you runners out there, isn't this the best idea to re-use all those race T-shirts we've been accumulating? They are too memorable to throw out or give away, yet you can only wear so many t- shirts. All my bags are going to show a race that I've participated in, and I can even use the bags to carry around my runner gear! Thank you!

You could make the bottom of the t-shirt bag flat, by matching the bottom seam (do one side at a time) with the side seam, then sew across the triangle that forms in the corner. This is done while the bag is still inside out. Do the other side the same way. Cut off the extra triangle corners, turn the bag right side out, and the t-shirt bag bottom should have a small flat bottom. The more of a "trangle" you sew across and cut off, the larger the bottom of the bag will be.

Love it ! And a kiddie t-shirt makes a great favours bag !

Need more ideas like this .... am organizing a sweet sixteen garden party in June!
ANA

This is wonderful! I have several tee shirts that (ahem!) shrunk, so now I can recycle some of my favorites.

Great idea! Now when the net shopping bag I bought at my grocery store wears out, I won't have to buy another one. I wear t-shirts too work. Now I have a good use for the worn out ones.

What a super idea!! I'm going to make a couple of these for my daughters to use at school!!! Great idea!!

This is an awesome project. Practical and fun!!! I love it. I made some for my little kids and they had a blast helping me make them. Thanks Martha!

Wonderful and very useful idea. I really like it, and certainly make one or two. Thank you.

This is totally clever. Here in Calif we are going to all be using reusable bags fairly soon or paying for the plastic, or brown bags. What a great idea...so useable and not taking up much space in the trunk. Great Great Great.

I smell Christmas presents!

I could use one of these when I just run to the store for a few items......
When buying a big bill of groceries.....you will still have the plastic bags to re-use.
Great easy idea. I love it.

I have so many unused t-shirts that I just can't get rid of (sentimental reasons). What a great way to get them out of my closet and put to use.

Great idea! You can put either a piece of cardboard or foam core at the bottom and reinforce it that way for milk,soda,juice, etc. to take the weight.

I love this idea.

I love this idea. Only one question... if I'm not getting plastic bags from the grocery store, where will I get trashcan liners now? :P

Great idea to leave in the car for those unexpected times when you need a tote! They'll fit easily under the seat when I roll 2-3 and stash them inside another.

You could also use one of the sleeves to sew a pocket on the back of the bag.

I loved this idea when I first saw it! And now I sell my own make! But the instructions don't say whether to keep the hem or not; I don't. It stretches better that way.

AQnother idea for all my old college t-shirts, instead of making a quilt.

i love love love this project! i've made a few already. they hold so much! i can clean out my whole van with one bag....and that's saying something!

Super ideas! If the sleeves are big enough, I think I would sew the seams together and use it as a dusting mitt.

I used the same idea as "eveapple" did with the waterproof lining, and the grandkids use their bags for going swimming. A towel and suit fit in, they store their outer clothes in the bag while swimming, then bring the wet stuff home in their t-shirt bags.

These are great Teacher's gifts. If your school has a mascot T-Shirt, use that as your base. We used plain Tees and the girls wrote a message on the front for the teacher. The teachers loved them! (Grades 1-5).

A school in the mid-west calls their program "Ts for Trees" and have bee4n making these in FACS for about 6 years. I have used t-shirts as pillow cases abd bags for sleeping bags. Pillows are less likely to get really dirty in the car or on a camping trip. Turn inside out, sew up arms and neck, sut off any excess, turn right side out and off you go!

Oh I just love this craft. My hubby has more tees then I know what to do with. This is perfect and I let my kids know too.

I also use old T-shirts to make throw pillows for my son's bed. When he out grows a favorite T-shirt I make a pillow out of it so he gets to keep it even though it doesn't fit him anymore.

I don't have many T's, and the ones I do aren't very strong anymore, but I do have a bunch of old polo shirts and nursing scrubs that I think this may work for as well! I love all these new "green" ideas!

Great idea! Would be even better and stronger if you ironed on some fusible interfacing to the back of the t-shirt. I do this for t-shirt quilts that I make for friends who have kids graduating from high school. It's easy to do and gives good stability to the t-shirt fabric.

I make bags from old blue jeans. I cut the legs off to use as straps. I embellish them with beads and buttons and lline them with colorful fabric to be used as purses. Without the embellishments they make great grocery bags because they are so sturdy.

Annie

Love it!

How will you make the scarf out of the sleeves, BTW?

I saw this great idea on the show and couldn't wait to put it to use. My I sewed the bottom of the shirts and my husband cut off the arms and neck. We are the hit of our grocery shopping trips. One of the baggers thought we handed him a pile of laundry until we showed him that they are bags for our groceries.

I love this idea. I have made 3 so far. My son came home one day with a [filtered word] in the middle of his shirt. I patched it up with one of the sleeves before turning it into a bag. These fit great in my purse. Now I want to make a scarf out of the sleeves that I cut off.

What a great grocery bag. Now I don't take the store's plastic which is great for our country. Thankfully I have gone from an extra large to a medium T shirt and night shirt. I have volunteered to make many more for my Fibromyalgia support group members. Next I am going to Good Will to get a bunch of children's Ts to make for the low income senior citizens retirement center. At 60 I'm new to homemaking so this is great for me as it is a lot of production for little output in time and money.

I love this idea. I lined mine with some PUL fabric (used for cloth diaper covers) to make it waterproof. What a great use for old tee's. I also appreciate a craft that isn't too materials intensive; one that we can accomplish right away!

Cool idea as I grow in and out of t-shirts constantly. I really do not like "collecting" all those plastic bags at the grocery store, so, off to the machine this afternoon. Tks.

new design for this new year, helps me to teach my students in art class.

I made one too- very practical. I sewed cotton seam binding to reinforce my seams since I don't have a serger. Fun idea for unwanted t-shirts and a great way to avoid using plastic bags.

This has to be one of the best ideas I've seen in a long time to help the environment. I get many t-shirts and this is a great way to show them off without having to actually wear them.

cute idea and way to help the environment

If you have a serger, you can serge all cut edges to reinforce them. You could aslo straight stitch two 3-4" seams perpindicular to the bottom seam to give the bag gussets.

great idea. another use for all those not so flattering t shirts everyone seems to have