My friend Julia over at Jaydee’s Ramblings is super clever. She makes all sorts of things out of recycled materials (her baskets made from reclaimed beach rope are stunning!) and her latest clever thing is getting her class of children (she’s an auxiliary teacher) to make bags out of recycled t-shirts as a school fundraiser.
She was telling us all about this venture at our last fortnightly Craft Group. These recycled recycled t-shirts can be used as shopping bags, clothes peg bags, storage bags and even, if made from itty bitty t-shirts, lunch bags! All you do is cut the neck and arms off the t-shirts, turn inside out and stitch the bottom shut.
However, I can’t just leave well enough alone and I’ve improvised the main idea a bit, seeing as how dear daughter had a flowery long sleeve t-shirt with some extra arm fabric which no longer fit her. You can make a base out of one of the arms! The remaining fabric could be made into embellishments, like flowers, if you so desired.
My children love their new lunch bags made from t-shirts which no longer fit them. Our youngest (4) fills his with toy cars and carries it around the house with him.
- 1 long-sleeve or short-sleeve t-shirt
- thread
- sewing machine or needle
- embellishments, if desired
Prep time:
Rustic French Bread
Before grabbing another polluting plastic bag, learn how to easily make a cloth bag out of items you already have lying around. This tutorial is great! I really hope more people to read it!
Lovely idea! My girls and I recycled few old tees this way and the results are great. They liked their new lunch bags so much, that made few for their friends. Thank you for the idea!
Before grabbing another polluting plastic bag, learn how to easily make a cloth bag out of items you already have lying around. This tutorial is great! I really hope more people to read it!
Such a great idea – looks good!
Wow, what a great idea!
What a brilliant idea have never seen anything like this before love it very useful and inspirational
Such a great idea – I’d seen t-shirts used for rag rugs but nothing like this.
oh wow, love this idea. Absolutely going to be having a go at this. I wonder if you can make little purses out of baby clothes. It would be a nice keepsake.
We have all got old T shirts lying around,Great Idea.
What a clever idea. I keep collecting things to upcycle but so far everything ends up as cushions or pin cushions – depending on size- lol.
What a brilliant idea! We often have lots of tops that the kids have outgrown but have pretty designs.
what a great idea!!! My 13 year old daughter is having a sewing machine for christmas- this would be a great project for her!
Fab idea!
What a good idea. I am not very creative but this has sparked an interest in up-cycling in me.
OOh do let me know what you create if you start making your own upcycled items. I’d love to see 🙂
Wow, fab idea. x
what a great idea, love it!
I thought it was a pretty clever idea too 🙂
This is very nice. What else can you do with a t shirt. That is bright. Thank you
Thanks 🙂 I also recycle old t-shirts into bunting.
What a clever idea! :o)
Isn’t it! A great way to recycle t-shirts 🙂
Oh I love this! What a great idea 🙂 Thanks for joining in the thrifty crafts blog hop x
Thanks! Thank YOU for hosting the blog hop! 🙂