Reusable grocery bags in 10 minutes, that won’t cost you a dime? I’m in! What about you?
Does anyone else have an overflowing drawer of old t-shirts that have never seen the light of day? Upcycle old tees into reusable grocery bags that won’t cost you anything to make.
And they’re so, so easy too.
Even if you’re a total beginning sewer, you can recreate this project without any trouble. I promise.
There’s only a couple lines to be sewn to make these reusable bags for groceries and more. The rest is just clever cutting.
Which means this is not only a great beginner sewing project, but also an eco-friendly (and budget-friendly) one.
Oh, and did I mention this project literally takes less than 10 minutes to make? Can’t beat that. Click through for the tutorial.
Materials for DIY Grocery Tote
- old t-shirt
- thread
- sewing machine
- scissors
Reusable Grocery Bag Instructions
1. Turn an old t-shirt inside out and sew a zigzag stitch in a straight line across the bottom of the shirt opening, 1-2 inches up from the very bottom. Backstitch at the beginning and end for extra strength.
Then, for extra strength, run over the zig zag stitch a second time. Since this bag will be used for items that can sometimes be heavy (groceries), it’s a good idea to give it that extra reinforcement with a second set of stitches.
2. To create more finished looking corners, add a zigzag stitch at a diagonal on each corner, as shown in photo. Then cut off any excess fabric.
*This step isn’t actually required, but it does make the bag a little cuter, imo. It also prevents tiny things from getting stuck in the corners of the bag, which always annoys me.
3. Next, cut off the sleeves and the neck area as shown in the photo, for a one handle option. For a two handle option, see cutting technique below.
4. Next, sew a zigzag stitch across the top, where the collar was, to create the strap.
Just like in step one, be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end and go across the stitching at least twice for extra strength.
5. Cut off excess fabric and turn the bag right side out.
What else can I make with old t-shirts?
There are honestly so many other things you can repurpose old tees for, but here are a few DIY ideas…
- My 15 minute reusable produce bags are a great option for any kind of scrap fabric, t-shirts included. And you can toss them into your reusable grocery bag before heading to the store.
- This DIY utensil wrap is another good one for taking reusable utensils on the go, so you can skip single use plastics, like straws and plastic silverware.
- Last but not least, my fave project of all for reusing scrap fabric and old clothes: DIY unpaper towels. If you’re thinking about making the switch from paper towels to reusables, this easy sewing project is the way to go. And I also included a no-sew option if you’d prefer to go that route.
And here’s the different handle options that you can do. Either one handle or two…
Use these grocery bags to replace plastic bags at the store or use them as extra storage in your car, etc to keep items from rolling around in the trunk, etc.
You could even use them as a regular tote / light purse option if you’re feeling crazy.
DIY Reusable Grocery Bags with an Old T-Shirt
Equipment
- sewing machine
- Scissors
Ingredients
- old t-shirt
- thread
Instructions
- Turn t-shirt inside out and sew a zigzag stitch in a straight line across the bottom of the shirt opening, 1-2 inches up from the very bottom. Backstitch at the beginning and end for extra strength. Then, for extra strength, run over the zig zag stitch a second time.
- To create more finished looking corners, add a zigzag stitch at a diagonal on each corner, as shown in photo. Then cut off any excess fabric.
- Next, cut off the sleeves and the neck area as shown in the photo, for a one handle option. For a two handle option, see cutting technique below.
- Next, sew a zigzag stitch across the top, where the collar was, to create the strap. Just like in step one, be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end and go across the stitching at least twice for extra strength.
- Cut off excess fabric and turn the bag right side out.
Notes
What else can I make with old t-shirts?
There are honestly so many other things you can repurpose old tees for, but here are a few DIY ideas...- My 15 minute reusable produce bags are a great option for any kind of scrap fabric, t-shirts included. And you can toss them into your reusable grocery bag before heading to the store.
- This DIY utensil wrap is another good one for taking reusable utensils on the go, so you can skip single use plastics, like straws and plastic silverware.
- Last but not least, my fave project of all for reusing scrap fabric and old clothes: DIY unpaper towels. If you're thinking about making the switch from paper towels to reusables, this easy sewing project is the way to go. And I also included a no-sew option if you'd prefer to go that route.
Sewing Liz Scoper
Model Stephanie Reagan
Photography Brittni Mehlhoff
Think you’d give this upcycled project a try? Do you have any old t-shirts in need of some repurposing?
22 comments | Click here to reply
I want to make sure that I do my part to prevent plastic waste. It makes sense that getting sustainable grocery bags would be beneficial! That seems like a great way to ensure that I don’t waste too much.
Braden BillsHi! I’m a super SUPER beginner/novice at sewing with basically no experience so I’m sorry if this question is stupid! With the one handled option I’m unsure how you are to sew that handle together. I see how to cut the sleeves off but it seems like if you just sewed the remaining piece at the back of the neck hole to the remaining piece at the front of the neck hole, they are quite different sizes (the front of the neck hole being longer because of the shape of neckline and cuts). Is this how you’re supposed to sew them together to create the single strap? Thank you so much in advance for any advice!
ChristinaThis seems so easy to do and we love reuse. This is something we really like and we have written about it on our blog 🙂
CreativeYou[…] | Britt’s upcycled grocery totes I love these t-shirts upcycled into cool, patterned grocery totes. What a genius idea! (But then […]
The Things I Loved This Week - The Sweetest Occasion — The Sweetest OccasionThis is so cool! this is not just stylish but it will also save you money and space. Thank you for this wonderful idea, hope you’d keep them coming
Laurel SantosOhh my goodness…!! what a great idea. I can use my old t-shirt for a carry bag. That way I can avoid the use of plastic bag. Kind of West to the Best idea. Friends I love this.
IcegreenThanks for catching that Lisa, Blythe, Micky, and Anna. You’re right, I didn’t have the two handle cutting example in the post. I went back to add it in once I saw your comments and realized I didn’t actually take a photo of it at all. So, I cut a new shirt, to show how to do the two handle method and updated the post. You’ll see the side by side of the one handle and the two handle cutting techniques now, right under the tutorial photos. Let me know if you have any questions, but the two handle method is made the exact same way, you just skip steps 4 and 5.
BrittniThis is a lovely idea! Now to find old shirts that could still look good enough for a bag… 🙂
AnnaI may be confused, but I don’t understand how to do the two handle option. The picture of the sleeves being cut off would be for a single handle, no?
Thank you!
I know I’m blind, but don’t see the picture for cutting two handles.
MickyThank goodness I don’t have to trash my old t-shirts anymore in garbage or use it for moping floor. 😛 Thanks for sharing this valuable easy DIY. 😀
beforbeauty.com
Manavi SiddhantiWhat a genius idea. I’m so going to do this with my old shirts.
Clifford HendersonWhat an awesome way to re-purpose old clothes! I just got a sewing machine for Christmas so I’m super excited to try new things. This looks easy enough to take on!
Thanks for sharing
-Blythe xo // http://eleanorandemilio.com
BlytheHi! Love this idea! However, I do not see the cutting/sewing instructions for the 2-handled version. Are there any? I see you mention it, but I’m not seeing any. Thanks for the tute! 😄
LisaI love making new things out of old and worn clothes. I made a shirt for sleeping out of my boyfriends old shirts: http://www.idimin.berlin/ein-pow-shirt-fuer-die-power-am-tag-a-pow-shirt-for-the-power-of-the-day/
KaliGreetings from Berlin,
Kali
Thanks Michelle!
BrittniSuch a cool idea!
Michellehttps://www.makeandmess.com/
You totally should, Sophie. So, so easy!
BrittniI want to make this.
SophieDefinitely Beckie. Super easy!
BrittniThis is SUCH a good idea! And seems so easy to do too, I’ll have to give this a go.
Beckie xo || The Pale Tails
BeckieLet me know how it goes, Jessica.
BrittniThis is perfect! I’ll definitely try it x
Jessica — NinetyCo
Jessica