Reusable grocery bags in 10 minutes, that won't cost you a dime? I'g in! What about you lot?

Closeup of an upcycled grocery tote, made with old t-shirts.

Does anyone else have an overflowing drawer of quondam t-shirts that accept never seen the light of day? Upcycle old tees into reusable grocery numberless that won't price you anything to make. And they're so, then piece of cake as well. Even if you lot're a full commencement sewer, you tin can recreate this project without any trouble. I hope.

In that location's only a couple lines to exist sewn to make these reusable bags for groceries and more. The rest is just clever cutting. Which means this is not only a slap-up beginner sewing project, but likewise an eco-friendly (and upkeep-friendly) ane.

Oh, and did I mention this projection literally takes less than 10 minutes to make? Can't beat that. Click through for the tutorial.

A women holding a neon green polka dot grocery bag.

A before and after photo of an old t-shirt that was made into a reusable grocery bag.

Materials for DIY Grocery Tote

  • sometime t-shirt
  • thread
  • sewing machine
  • pair of scissors

Reusable Grocery Bag Instructions

1. Turn an sometime t-shirt within out and sew a zigzag stitch in a directly line across the bottom of the shirt opening, 1-2 inches up from the very bottom. Backstitch at the outset and end for actress forcefulness.

And then, for extra strength, run over the zig zag run up a second time. Since this pocketbook will be used for items that tin sometimes be heavy (groceries), it's a skillful thought to give it that extra reinforcement with a second set of stitches.

2. To create more finished looking corners, add a zigzag sew together at a diagonal on each corner, as shown in photograph. So cutting off whatever excess fabric.

*This step isn't really required, simply it does make the bag a trivial cuter, imo. It besides 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 equally shown in the photo, for a one handle option. For a two handle pick, come across cutting technique below.

four. Next, stitch a zigzag stitch beyond the tiptop, where the collar was, to create the strap.

But like in step one, be certain to backstitch at the beginning and end and go across the stitching at least twice for extra strength.

5. Cutting off excess fabric and turn the pocketbook right side out.

What else can I make with former t-shirts?

There are honestly so many other things y'all can repurpose old tees for, but here are a few DIY ideas…

  • My 15 infinitesimal reusable produce bags are a swell pick for whatsoever 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 some other practiced one for taking reusable utensils on the become, so you lot can skip single utilise plastics, like straws and plastic silverware.
  • Last only non least, my fave project of all for reusing scrap textile and old wearing apparel: DIY unpaper towels. If you're thinking about making the switch from paper towels to reusables, this easy sewing project is the fashion to become. And I also included a no-sew pick if you'd prefer to go that route.

Steps for sewing a grocery bag from an old t-shirt.

And here's the dissimilar handle options that yous can do. Either one handle or 2…

Image showing two different ways to cut a t-shirt to make a reusable shopping bag.

Use these grocery numberless to supercede plastic numberless at the store or use them as actress storage in your auto, etc to go on items from rolling effectually in the torso, etc. You could fifty-fifty use them as a regular tote / light purse choice if you're feeling crazy.

A neon green polka dot shirt made into a tote bag.

Detail photo of striped grocery bag, made from a t-shirt.

Polka dot shopping bag, detail shot.

Woman holding a coffee and a striped grocery bag.

Before and after photo of t-shirt turned grocery tote.

DIY Reusable Grocery Numberless with an Erstwhile T-Shirt

Employ these grocery bags to replace plastic bags at the store or utilize them as extra storage in your car, etc to proceed items from rolling around in the body, etc. You could even utilise them equally a regular tote / light handbag option if you're feeling crazy. There's only a couple lines to be sewn and the rest is only clever cutting, and then this project literally takes less than 5 minutes to make.

Keyword: diy, eco-friendly, grocery tote, sewing, t-shirt, upcycled

Servings: 1 grocery tote per t-shirt

Cost: $0

  • sewing machine

  • Pair of scissors

  • one-time t-shirt
  • thread

  • Turn t-shirt inside out and sew a zigzag sew in a straight line across the bottom of the shirt opening, i-2 inches up from the very bottom. Backstitch at the beginning and cease for extra forcefulness. And then, for actress force, run over the zig zag stitch a second fourth dimension.

  • To create more finished looking corners, add together a zigzag stitch at a diagonal on each corner, as shown in photograph. Then cut off any backlog fabric.

  • Side by side, cut off the sleeves and the neck area equally shown in the photo, for a ane handle pick. For a 2 handle option, see cutting technique below.

  • Next, sew together a zigzag stitch across the top, where the collar was, to create the strap. Only 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 backlog fabric and turn the bag correct side out.

What else can I make with old t-shirts?

There are honestly so many other things you lot can repurpose onetime tees for, but here are a few DIY ideas...

  • My 15 minute reusable produce bags are a great option for whatever kind of chip fabric, t-shirts included. And you can toss them into your reusable grocery bag before heading to the shop.
  • This DIY utensil wrap is another good one for taking reusable utensils on the get, so you lot tin skip single utilise plastics, like straws and plastic silverware.
  • Last only not to the lowest degree, 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 like shooting fish in a barrel sewing project is the fashion to go. And I also included a no-sew option if yous'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 yous have any old t-shirts in demand of some repurposing?