SHIRT BAG

Would you like to transform an old shirt/tie into a tote??

  Yes, a little Shirt/Tie Church Tote (14.5 x 15 inches in size) for my little Connor to carry his “quiet activities” to and from church. 

  

If you’re not into the whole “tie on the tote” look, then just don’t add it.  (I tucked it inside to show you how sizzlin’ cute it still is without.)

  

Intended Uses

 The tote is lined with thick duck cloth (sturdy canvas-y fabric), so it holds its shape really well.

 

 

 

(Remember, you can skip the tie part and just make a shirt tote or you can use any suitable fabric.)

 First of all, you can make your tote a variety of sizes.  But I will share the dimensions I used to make my little tote for my 4 year old, which is 14.5 inches tall (not including the handles) and 15 inches wide.  

 Supplies:

Men’s Button up Shirt or 1 yard desired fabric.(just be sure it’s big enough for the size tote you want to make )

1 yard duck Cloth (This is just thick canvas-like fabric, available at most fabric stores. It gives the tote great shape.  The amount needed depends on what size you make)

An old tie (optional) Thread, scissors, pins, etc.

 Steps/Procedure

Cut 2 main squares out of your shirt that are 16 x 16 inches (use the front and the back of the shirt for this). 

Be sure that the button section goes right down the center of your square.  Then cut two long strips out of your shirt (use the bottom of the shirt or maybe

the sleeves) that are 14 x 2 inches.  Then cut the same 2 squares and 2 strips out of your duck cloth.

 

You could do this before cutting your square, But sew the opening of the shirt closed so that it doesn’t ever gape open after it becomes a tote.

 Then, place your two shirt squares together (with right sides together) and sew along the right and left edges, using a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Do the same with your 2 duck cloth pieces.

 

Then, either trim or zig-zag your side edges or serge them right off.

 Next, decide how long you want your tie to be (I decided I needed about 11 inches of tie).

 

Then stitch it in place with 2 seams that are less than 1 inch from the edge.

 Next, grab one of your shirt strips and one of your duck cloth strips and sew them together, with right sides together, along the two outer edges.  Use a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Repeat with the other 2 strips.  Then turn both right side out and iron flat. ?  

 Then pin one of your strips to the front of the tote (the top layer only).  I found the center of the tote and then placed the two ends about 6 inches apart.  Make sure that you are placing right sides together.

 Now, sew each end to the tote, sewing it in place with 2 different seams (less than 1 inch from the edge).  Do the same thing with the other handle on the back side of the tote.

 

Next, slide the shirt fabric (that is right side out) down into the tube of the duck cloth (that’s still inside out).  Now the right sides of fabric are facing each other, right?

 

Slide it down until the top edges are even.  Match up the side seams then pin the top edge in place.

 

Sew in place, using a 1 inch seam allowance, then turn right side out.  Iron flat (take your time). 

Then top-stitch about 1/16 of an inch from the top edge of the tote.  This top-stitch will keep the top of the tote from shifting but it will also help keep your tie down and in place.

 

Next, turn the tote inside out and smooth everything out to the bottom.  Sew the bottom shut, from side seam to side seam, using a 1/2 inch seam

allowance.  See the red dotted line below.  (If your bottom edges didn’t match up exactly,

don’t worry, mine didn’t either.  It’s most likely because we sewed and turned the top and then ironed it…..and maybe it wasn’t exact after all that manipulating. 

But just be sure that the shirt fabric isn’t bunching or folding when you sew the bottom shut.  You want it nice and smooth. 

And then zig-zag or serge the edge.  Then make your little bottom squared off corners.  See the arrows below

 

The squared off bottom for my tote isn’t huge.  After folding the corner the other way I measured down 1.25 inches and then sewed a seam straight across. 

Now, serge or trim and zig-zag the raw edges.

   

Here’s a look at the bottom from the right side out.  Nice and perfect for a few books and supplies.

 Iron any extra seams if necessary to give it a nice polished look. And that’s it.