DIY T-Shirt Tote Bags
We’re always up for recycling and upcycling whenever we can, so you better believe this project is quickly becoming one of our faves. You can give your old tees a new life by making this super easy tote bag. So grab your orange-handled scissors and check out this easy cheat sheet for how to make your own below! We’re totes on board for a design-your-own as a fun bridal shower activity too 😉
- Fiskars Easy Lift Stamp Block Set
- Fiskars Orange-Handled Scissors
- Fiskars Total Control Non-Stick Precision Scissors
- Textile Medium
- Acrylic Paint
- Foam sheets
- Foam Brushes
- Old tees or blank tshirts
- Hot Glue
We’re going to start out by making our own stamps: with a thick foam sheet, create shapes using what you have on hand, like lids and pieces of cardboard for straight edges (or even your phone?) and trace them with a pencil. With the help of these scissors, cut your shapes away. These scissors are SO MUCH easier to use than a regular craft knife for a project like this one! They cut intricate shapes and tricky corners like no one’s business.
Hot glue your shapes on stamp blocks. We used these blocks from Fiskars. They are clear, which makes for perfect pattern making, but also they have side handles so you don’t run the risk of smudging your pattern with your fingers. After you’re done using your stamps, you can peel back the shapes and reuse the blocks again.
We’ve tried a few fabric paints, but ever since I tried using textile medium instead I never looked back. The fabric remains soft and not crinkly like with fabric paint and it doesn’t come off even after years of washing! Read the instructions on your textile medium to mix with paint and you’re ready to go.
Using old or blank t-shirts, stamp away to your heart’s content and let it dry. We love this idea for an easy bridal shower 🙂 Take a look at our cheat sheet below on how to transform a t-shirt into a tote bag – you can make it two different with one handle or two. With the help of our good ol’ Orange-Handled Scissors, cut your tote bag patterns. These a must if you’re into sewing or crafting, and here’s a quick reason why and the history of this iconic tool.
Sew the bottom of your tees using a sewing machine. It’s a simple straight line so no skills required!