Recycling a T-Shirt into a Book Bag

Many people accumulate t-shirts that express their moods, hobbies or show their favorite sporting team or music group. This easy book bag can be made by recycling a t-shirt that no longer fits, for many more days of usefulness. Sewing a book bag out of a shirt is a fun project for a club group, such as Girl Scouts or as a sleepover project for teenage girls. Beginners should have no problem making a bag they will be proud to carry.

T-shirt
Iron
Pen
Scissors
Ruler
2/3 yard fusible interfacing
2/3 yard muslin
Straight pins
Sewing machine

Step 1
Iron the t-shirt to remove any wrinkles or creases. Measure and trace, with a pen, a 12 inch square around the screen printed logo or picture on your t-shirt. Cut the square out. Measure and trace a 12 inch square on the back of the t-shirt and cut out. Cut a 12 inch square of fusible interfacing for both t-shirt squares. Place the interfacing on the back of the t-shirt squares with the glue side down and iron. The interfacing will add stability to your book bag and keep it from stretching out of shape when you put books in it.

Step 2
Cut two pieces of the t-shirt fabric 3 inches wide by 12 inches long for the book bag handles. Cut two pieces of fusible interfacing 3 inches wide by 12 inches long and fuse to the back of the t-shirt handle pieces. Cut 2 pieces of the muslin 12 inches square for the lining of your book bag.

Step 3
Place the two t-shirt book bag squares together with the right sides facing. Pin the sides and the bottom. Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance on the pinned sides. Pin the muslin squares together on three sides. Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance on the pinned sides.

Step 4
Fold a book bag handle in half lengthwise with the right sides together and pin. Sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance on the pinned edge. Turn the handle right side out and press with the seam centered on one side. Repeat for the other book bag handle.

Step 5
Turn the outer shirt part of the book bag right side out. Find the center of the top edge on one side of the book bag. Measure 2 1/2 inches on one side of the center. Pin one end of one handle with the handle upside down and the edges of the bag and handle matching. Measure 2 1/2 inches on the other side of the center and pin the other end of the handle in the same way. Turn the book bag over and pin the other handle in the same way. Slip the t-shirt bag inside the muslin part of the book bag. Match the seams and top edge of the book bag and pin. Sew around the bag, leaving a 3 inch opening for turning. Turn the bag right side out through the opening and press. Pin the opening closed. Sew a top stitch as close to the edge as possible around the top edge of the book bag made from a shirt. The top stitching will close the turning opening.