Homemade Reusable Shopping Bags

You have probably begun to reject plastic shopping bags whenever possible. They sit forever in landfills, choke marine and other wildlife and litter roadsides. Perhaps you carry reusable shopping bags wherever you go. Most grocery stores sell reusable shopping bags, and other retailers sell or give them away as a promotional item. These reusable shopping bags are functional if not fun or stylish. If you have some favorite but well-worn t-shirts tucked away in a drawer or closet, you can repurpose them into reusable shopping bags that suit your personal fashion sense.

Some sewing is required for this recycled craft project, but while utilizing a sewing machine might allow you to whip up these reusable shopping bags in no time, you can make them with just a basic needle, thread and scissors. In addition, you will need a few straight pins; a bowl or plate; and a pen or marker with which you can write on the t-shirt.

To get started, turn the t-shirt inside out and place it on a flat, clean surface. Use the pins to close the bottom of the shirt in a straight, even line. Using a plate or bowl as a guide, trace around the inside of the sleeve seams. Carefully cut along this line to remove the sleeves. Trace another half-circle around and below the neckline of the t-shirt. Cut away this portion of the t-shirt as well, being careful to snip as neatly and evenly as possible. This part of the t-shirt will be the handles and opening of your reusable shopping bags.

All you need to do now is to stitch a straight line across the bottom of the still inside-out t-shirt. If you are using a sewing machine, you can zip right through this part. If you are sewing by hand, it will take a little longer. You may wish to match the thread to the t-shirt material for a more professional, polished look, but if you do not have matching thread you can use whatever you have on hand, as the stitching will not be highly visible.

When you have securely stitched the bottom of the shirt closed, simply turn it right side out again. You now have a reusable shopping bag made from a recycled item of clothing.

If you do not have any old t-shirts on hand, head to your favorite thrift shop and stock up. Many secondhand stores have "fill-a-bag" days during which you can purchase as many items of clothing as you can into a bag for one set price. Load up and make bags for all your friends and family.