BYOB Project - Construction Details

I meant to do this sooner, but just been hammered this past month so finally here are some additional ideas and suggestions related to the BYOB project converting t-shirts into usable bags!

First I'll show what I did with the pretty blue bag featured in the earlier post.

To create the curve, I folded the shirt in half and used the pins to help determine the curve...of course it could just be sewn straight across. A reminder...you must use your STRETCH STITCH to ensure the bag will stand up to the wear and tear of heavy objects.

I used a white bar of soap (courtesy of a motel stay!) which makes it easy to see on darker fabric and it will wash out, too! So, after marking both sides you can unpin and sew...I also used a decorative stretch stitch just for fun.


To cut the collar and widen the top opening I used a plate as a template...depending on the size of the shirt you may need to vary the size...pan lids would work great, too!

I uaed my pinking shears to cut through the sleeve leaving about 2 inches attached at the top so I can add a key clip and a place to hang my recycled tie cell phone holder. If you don't want to do that you can just cut off both sleeves.

The piece I've cut out I use to create a tie at the top of each sleeve to gather and hold them together.



I cut off the other sleeve completely.

I used my trusty bar of soap to mark off about one inch fringe strips.

I folded the shirt in half again and put a marker on my scissors and did some decorative slits in the main body of the shirt (which I later used for my ribbon assortment!

I even used the collar by fringing it (I eyeballed it) and decided it might be just the right size to put over a small lamp shade and realized it was a great place to hang my fishhook earrings...bonus! It would also be an adorable necklace for a little girl...you could even add some pony beads.


I have provided a pdf file with instructions to create a flat bottom bag, too, click here to get it and quick reminders on the details shown in this post...have fun and remember, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

The BYOB Project

I was asked to participate in a local 3R's Fair - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle which is something I love to do anyway so I wanted to present a project that might be fun and interesting and practical, too. So I found a great idea for recycling t-shirts into functional bags...I have a link on our website where you can download a pdf file with some idea reminders that I will also show in this post.

There are a number of variations with this project and it can be very simple and basic or more fussy...it's up to you! I'll show you some of the things I've done with one of my favorite t-shirt bags!

With this shirt, I opted to add a fringe and some horizontal cuts in the main part of the bag which is fun and funky as long as you aren't carrying a lot of cereal boxes but wouldn't it be great for ribbons?!





Detailed instructions to come...