April 2023: Putting the ‘T’ in Tote: A Simple Reuse Activity

A combination of Earth Day inspiration and Spring motivation can sometimes be just the thing to spur a little creativity at home. This is the time of year when many people get the urge to purge, clearing out space in closets, drawers and cupboards. This process inevitably brings up questions of what to do with all of your unwanted things. Recycling and donating are top-notch options, but let’s not forget about reuse!

Chances are, when you clean out bedroom closets and clothes drawers, you find quite a few T-shirts that you don’t want to keep. Before throwing them in the donation pile, think about what you could do to reuse them instead. One simple idea is to turn those T-shirts into reusable tote bags. It’s an easy, no-sew craft suitable for all ages, and you will end up with a unique bag that can be used to hold almost anything, depending on the strength of the fabric. The following is a step-by-step of how to turn your old T-shirts into tote bags. You can also find our tutorial with photos on our website.

How to Make a T-Shirt Tote Bag!

Materials:
Sharp scissors
Old T-shirt (thick fabric recommended)

Step 1: Cut Off the Sleeves
To make the cuts even, fold the T-shirt in half and cut both sleeves at the same time. Cut the fabric just past the seam where the sleeves are sewn to the body of the shirt.

Step 2: Cut Off the Neckline
Cut off the collar of the shirt. It is recommended to cut a slightly oval shape as opposed to a round one. This step is where the handle straps of the tote bag are finished.

Step 3: Cut the Fringe
Turn the shirt inside out. Cut slits along the bottom of the shirt about ¾ to 1 inch wide and about 3 inches long (longer slits can be cut to make the bag smaller). Cut both the front and back layers together because they will need to match up for the next step.

Step 4: Tie the Fringe
Tie matching front and back fringe strands together; double knot. Once all knotted, tie knot strands together to close holes between knots. They should sit one on top of another if the shirt was cut correctly.

Step 5: Voila! You’re Done.
Turn your T-shirt right-side out and you are done!

This is just one way to get creative with your unwanted items. Aside from the benefits of reducing waste, it will give your shirts a new life, provide you with useful, reusable bags and offer a fun craft activity for everyone.

Do you have a favorite craft that reuses household materials? Share your ideas with us on Facebook and Instagram (tag us @NHEnvironmentalServices) or Twitter (tag us @NHDES) and use the hashtag #nhgreenworks.