Turn a T-Shirt into a Grocery Bag

Earlier this summer we wrote about how you can turn plastic bags into yarn. Someone even used this yarn to knit us a grocery bag. Now we want to share an idea for a homemade grocery bag that doesn’t require knitting skills. All you’ll need is an old T-Shirt, a pair of scissors, and a needle and thread (or sewing machine).

Don’t let the sewing part scare you, though. The project only involves minimal sewing. You just cut the amount of fabric you need from your shirt, sew the bag’s edge, and cut slits in the fabric with a scissors so the bag is expandable. Once you’re done, it’ll be perfect for carrying your purchases at the store or the farmers market.

Photo: Delia Creates

You can find a complete tutorial at the website Delia Creates or you can check out YouTube for instructions. Plenty of videos and photo tutorials make variations of the T-Shirt bag, so select one that works for you.

Projects like this one are a great way to use old T-Shirts that are no longer wearable, and most of us probably have at least one hiding in a drawer somewhere. If you have old T-Shirts but don't need a grocery bag, Pinterest is full of ideas for other upcycling projects. T-Shirt rugs, headbands, potholders and jewelry are also possibilities.