Upcycled Shirt to Produce Bag Tutorial

Reusable grocery bags have been really popular for some time now and they are great! My sister-in-law gave me reusable produce bags and it made me really think about all the small plastic bags I use for produce since we purchase lots of fresh stuff. I’m not sure were she got them but here is a great tutorial on how to make one! I saw this idea for a normal grocery bag on pinterest and thought it would be a good idea for a produce bag.

Step 1: grab an old stretchy t-shirt. The one I used was 95% cotton 5% spandex

Step2: lay it out flat. I used my other bag as a template and cut around it. It is just 9×14 rectangle.

Step 3: fold down one edge about 1/2-3/4 inch down pin and sew across at 1/4 seam. This will be used for the draw sting.

Step 4: Put right sides together sew around 3 edges starting 1/2 inch down so you don’t sew over step 3. Make dashes with pen across bag with bag about 1/2 inch long in a pattern shown above. I started by using a ruler marking every other 1/2 inch but was annoyed so I started free handing it.

Step 5: Cut lines through both sides.
Step 6: to create the draw string you can use a shoe lace or what I did was cut a thin piece of the shirt long ways.
Step 7: Use a small safety pin (I improvised) to go through the space created in step 3.
All done! It’s a pretty easy craft that anyone can do and your being eco friendly too!

This was part of the Homestead Barn Hop, the Morris Tribe, Sew Chatty, Sew Can Do, Craft-O- Maniac, Homemaker on a Dime, Frugally Sustainable, Thrifty Decorating, Stringtown Home, Seasonal Celebrations, Someday Crafts, Crafty Mama

21 Comments

  2. Love this! I went through my ds15’s drawers today to take out the winter stuff, and found a few t-shirts that had seen better days. Now I can do something with them instead of just throwing them out!

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  3. mmm this would work for elderly or disabled shoppers who are insecure using those ultra thin..could/can and do ‘break at any moment bags from the superstores. The sstore freebies just don’t always make it into the house with the weight they r carrying..something to consider..thank you
    Jonell

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  5. Love this! I always feel so wasteful using those produce bags, and this is really a cheap and easy remedy. Thanks!
    Here via Someday Crafts.

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  6. Great idea for keeping plastic away from your produce! I’ll be doing this as soon as I need to retire an old shirt with some stretchiness to it!

    Karen @ folkhaven.wordpress.com

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  8. I’ve been meaning to do this for months and have yet to do it. I think you finally gave me the push I need to just do it already. 🙂 Thanks!

    Reply

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