Hello! Marietta here - Andrea's taking a break so I get to blog!!!
For my first visit to the blog, I thought I would choose a subject close to Andrea’s heart – T-shirts! But not as a garment – as an accessory.
The theatre I worked in had an insane amount of t-shirts in stock – as in 4-5 40 gallon tubs worth of t-shirts! Every summer we would purge the stock – some going to thrift stores, some going to staff and some were repurposed/reinvented.
While at the grocery store one day, I saw the clerk restocking a box of bags labeled “T-shirt Bags” and thought aha!!!! Why use lousy plastic for shopping when I have gobs of actual t-shirts that needed a new home? Not only is this a fabulous way to use up ugly shirts and make them cuter – but an excellent way to use t-shirts that you no longer wear but just can’t really part with.
For my first visit to the blog, I thought I would choose a subject close to Andrea’s heart – T-shirts! But not as a garment – as an accessory.
The theatre I worked in had an insane amount of t-shirts in stock – as in 4-5 40 gallon tubs worth of t-shirts! Every summer we would purge the stock – some going to thrift stores, some going to staff and some were repurposed/reinvented.
While at the grocery store one day, I saw the clerk restocking a box of bags labeled “T-shirt Bags” and thought aha!!!! Why use lousy plastic for shopping when I have gobs of actual t-shirts that needed a new home? Not only is this a fabulous way to use up ugly shirts and make them cuter – but an excellent way to use t-shirts that you no longer wear but just can’t really part with.
1. You need one t-shirt. Children's small or medium is perfect for your average grocery store size bag (not to mention, these things S-T-R-E-T-C-H!)
2. Hack off the sleeves (but save later, for they will be pockets!)
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3. and 4. You will need to cut out the neckline for handles. Draw it out to see how deep you want them, or just be brave and cut away.
5. Turn inside out and fold sideways. The center fronts and the center backs are now the side seams.
6. Create bottom of back: Sew a seam approx. 1" -2" from original hem. (Seam depth determines width of bottom of bag)
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7. and 8. Snip open at sides so bottom of bag can lay flat. Measure approx. 1.5" in and stitch.
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9. and 10. Finish edges of handles (old neck and armhole seams) with stitch of choice. Since this is a stretch fabric I just zig-zag around. Serging would work well, also.
11. For pockets, open up sleeve seam, lay flat wrong side to wrong side 2" below armhole/handle with hem up. Stitch around sides and across bottom and then down middle to create 2 pockets.
12. On side opposite from pocket, add decoration of choice! (Tigerente, of course –my favorite German children’s book character from Janosch)
Not only are these bags great for grocery shopping (especially if you live where stores are now charging for each shopping bag) since they are made of knit fabric and stretch to hold a lot, they are also perfect for knitting and crochet project bags.
I used to use the smaller bags with pockets inside to transport bottles and other necessities for my son when he was smaller.
Now go and make your own t-shirt bag and post a picture on Andrea’s Facebook page!!
Not only are these bags great for grocery shopping (especially if you live where stores are now charging for each shopping bag) since they are made of knit fabric and stretch to hold a lot, they are also perfect for knitting and crochet project bags.
I used to use the smaller bags with pockets inside to transport bottles and other necessities for my son when he was smaller.
Now go and make your own t-shirt bag and post a picture on Andrea’s Facebook page!!
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