Features

Craft corner: T-shirt tote bags

Tess Frey, Features Editor | February 4, 2026

Sustainable reusable bags are a no-brainer replacement for plastic. Made with a few simple steps, they can keep plastics and pollution out of the environment.

Overconsumption is a big problem, so if one has the opportunity to cut down on said problem, why not take it? Reusable bags are a great way to cut down on plastic waste, and can also be much cuter than usual shopping bags. Tote bags are one variety of reusable bags, and they are great for grocery stores or farmers markets. However, store-bought totes are often expensive or low quality and made out of unsustainable materials. Upcycling is defined as reusing discarded objects or materials to create a product of higher quality or value than the original. Using an old T-shirt and your new vocabulary, there is an easy way to create an affordable and cute tote bag.

Steps and materials

Materials

T-shirt (if you are not willing to sacrifice a shirt from your personal wardrobe, goodwill and other thrift stores have tons of options for low prices)
Scissors
Ruler
Washable marker

Step 1

Cut the sleeves off. To make the cuts identical, you can fold the T-shirt in half and cut them all at once. However, if the fabric is too thick, cut one sleeve, fold it over and cut the other sleeve the same, using the cut-off side as a guide.

Step 2

Flip the T-shirt inside out and cut around the collar, creating an oval opening. If needed, the back can be cut lower to make a bigger opening for the back. Make sure to leave enough of the shoulder and body fabric, as these will make up the handles and body of the bag.

Step 3

After determining how deep you want the bag to be, mark where you want the bottom to be. Leave at least two inches at the bottom for ease and success in closing. Mark a line straight across in washable marker. An optional but helpful detail is to mark a spot every half to three-quarters of an inch, to make cutting the fringe easier.

Step 4

Starting in the crease, cut up to the line you marked. If you have them already measured out, cut from the bottom opening of the shirt up to the tick mark, and if not, eyeball it. If your fabric is thin enough, cutting through two layers of fabric is a great way to save time.

Step 5

Taking one front and one back fringe-piece, tie them together. Go down the line and tie each, but make sure they are only single ties, because we will need them as long as possible. In groups of three, take the middle knot and, with the fringe, tie them to the left and right knots. Repeat this pattern down the line until the last set. This should help seal up any holes that would allow stuff to fall out of the bag.

Sustainable reusable bags are a no-brainer replacement for plastic. Made with a few simple steps, they can keep plastics and pollution out of the environment. (photo by Tess Frey)

Turn the bag inside out. The knots should be inside the body of the bag now, and the bottom should be all closed up.

Congrats! Just like that, a sustainable and adorable bag with no sewing required. An easy and durable replacement to pesky plastic shopping bags, this bag is great for farmers markets, supermarkets, beach trips, and more. It is cheaper than tote bags, but just as cute. The earth will thank you!

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About the Contributor

Tess Frey, Features Editor

Tess Frey is a sophomore and one of the Features editors at the BluePrint. She enjoys anything creative from sewing, crocheting, fashion, and playing with her dog, Flynn. She wants use her voice to help and report what is truly going on, and make an actual impact on the world, while still having fun. She is excited for her first year on staff!