Craft Buds
  • Craft
  • Giveaways
  • Business
  • Reviews
  • Fresh Picks
  • About
  • Contact
Subscribe
CRAFT BUDS
Craft Buds
  • Craft
    • Sewing
    • Food
    • Free Pattern Feature
  • Giveaways
  • Business
    • Craft Book Month
  • Reviews
  • Fresh Picks
  • About
  • Contact
  • Craft
  • Sewing

Upcycle: Shirt to Purse

  • May 31, 2011
  • Mary
Total
188
Shares
174
0
14

I love all the details you find in clothes: the little buttons, pleats and seams. I wanted to come up with a way to use those details to give some thrifted shirts new life. So I designed two purse patterns that use those fun details to their advantage.

In this tutorial, I’ll be featuring the instructions and pattern for turning the pink and orange shirt into the tote bag.

The shirt I’m using in my pattern is a petite XL. Depending on the shirt you’re using, you may need to scale down the pattern a bit.

Materials:

  1. One long-sleeved shirt
  2. 1/2 yard fusible fleece
  3. 1/2 yard fabric for lining (I used a heavier weight home dec fabric)
  4. 82″ canvas strap

First you’ll cut out all the pieces. The following two photos show all the pieces together and also where each piece came from. The numbers correspond to the list below.

  1. Using the free PDF pattern that can be downloaded here, cut two each from the shirt (top and bottom of the back side of shirt), fusible web, and lining fabric for the main body of the tote. The pattern is 2 pages. You’ll want to print both pages out, line up the dots and tape them together. In your browser the PDF preview may show the pages are cropped.
  2. Cut one 9 3/8″ x 4″ rectangle from the shirt, fusible web, and lining fabric for the tote bottom.
  3. Cut two 13.5″ x 4″ rectangles from the shirt and fusible web, and four from the lining fabric for the sides. I cut the shirt fabric horizontally from the front of the shirt with the button 1/3 of the way in. This piece will become a pocket.
  4. Cut off the bottom 8.5″ sleeves including the cuff. Use the slit in the cuff and cut it open into a rectangle and remove any buttons. Mine is 10.5″ wide but it will vary by shirt. Also cut a 8.75″x10.5″ rectangle from the liner fabric.

Now that you’ve got all your pieces ready, let’s prep the outer pocket. For the front pocket, fold over the top 1/4″ of the liner fabric and iron it down.  then with wrong sides together, stitch the tops together. Then, flip the fabric so right sides are together. Line up the bottom of the two fabrics and stitch them together. Then turn it right side out.

Next, you’ll stitch together the strips for the sides and bottom of the tote. Line up the strips from the shirt face side down (side, bottom, side). Place the liner strips on top of the two side strips (these will line the side pockets seen in the photos at the bottom of the post) and sew them all together with right sides together.

Then with right sides together, sew the side/bottom strip to one of the main body pieces. I found it easier to line up the center and sew from the center out to the top. Then I went back and did the other side. Then sew on the other main body piece (not pictured) and turn it right side out.

Stitch the pocket on along the bottom seam. The pocket will still have raw edges.

Iron the fusible fleece to the liner strips for the sides and to the main body pieces. Line up the side strips (side, bottom, side) and sew them together. Then sew that strip to the main body pieces using the same method as the exterior. Trim off any excess material around the seam allowance.

Now nestle the liner inside the exterior of the bag. Fold the tops inside 1″ and stitch around the top with a 1/8″ seam allowance.

You’re almost done and just need to add the strap! Make sure the strap isn’t twisted and overlap the edges by 1/8″. Zig zag stitch back and forth over the strap until the raw edges are secured. The strap will now be one big loop.

Line up strap with the raw edges of the front pocket. Start by pinning down the zig zagged seam on your strap to the bottom of the bag. Then pin down the sides. Stitch along both sides of each canvas strap and make an X at the top of each strap. (Before I stitched down the straps, my husband pointed out that the front pocket didn’t stand out so I went back and added the pink strip to the top.)

And you’ve made a shirt into a tote! I really like the pleats from the sleeve on the front pocket and the side pockets from the front of the shirt. The side pockets are mostly just for show. In my pattern they’re too narrow to fit much. If you want them to be more functional make the side/bottom strips wider.

Online Sewing Class

Total
188
Shares
Share 174
Tweet 0
Pin it 14
Related Topics
  • bag
  • button-up shirt
  • how to make a tote
  • making a tote
  • purse
  • recycled craft
  • recycled shirts
  • refashioned bags
  • sewing a bag
  • shirt
  • shirt purse
  • thrift store
  • tote bag tutorial
  • tutorial
  • upcycle
  • upcycled shirt
Mary

Previous Article
  • Giveaways

Giveaway winners

  • May 27, 2011
  • Lindsay
View Post
Next Article
  • Fresh Picks

Fresh Picks for Wednesday, 6.1.11

  • June 1, 2011
  • Lindsay
View Post
You May Also Like
Jewelry Making Books
View Post
  • Craft
  • Jewelry

Best Jewelry Making Books

  • Lindsey
  • November 17, 2020
Best Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
View Post
  • Craft
  • Jewelry

Best Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making

  • Lindsey
  • November 11, 2020
Price On Quality Jewelry Making Pliers
View Post
  • Craft
  • Jewelry

Best Price On Quality Jewelry Making Pliers

  • Lindsey
  • November 4, 2020
Chain for Jewelry making
View Post
  • Craft
  • Jewelry

Best Chains For Jewelry Making

  • Lindsey
  • November 2, 2020
What Kind Of Copper Is Best For Jewelry Making
View Post
  • Craft
  • Jewelry

What Kind Of Copper Is Best For Jewelry Making

  • Lindsey
  • November 2, 2020
Kiln for Jewellery Making
View Post
  • Craft
  • Jewelry

Best Kiln for Jewellery Making

  • Lindsey
  • October 29, 2020
Clasp To Buy For Jewelry Making USA
View Post
  • Craft
  • Jewelry

Best Clasps To Buy For Jewelry Making

  • Lindsey
  • October 24, 2020
Arbor Press For Jewelry Making
View Post
  • Craft
  • Uncategorized

Best Arbor Press For Jewelry Making

  • Lindsey
  • October 21, 2020
65 comments
  1. northern cottage says:
    May 31, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    brilliant!

    Reply
    1. Robbyn Hughes says:
      August 20, 2012 at 9:09 pm

      That was a great idea. I have a lot of cute shirts that I can’t wear anymore and now I can put them to good use. Thanks for the idea!

      Reply
    2. Heidi says:
      January 26, 2015 at 6:21 am

      When you tape the pattern together by lining up the dots why isn’t the purse the same shape on both sides? Looks like two different pieces. And on the other purse with the pockets when you line up the dots why is the bottom of the bag not straight; it is on a slant. Confused.

      Reply
      1. Mary says:
        January 26, 2015 at 11:43 am

        Hi Heidi, Once you line up the dots and tape the two pieces of paper together, cut out the paper pattern along the outside black line. Then fold your fabric in half and where the pattern piece says “fold”, place that along the fold of the fabric. For both patterns, once you cut out the fabric you’ll have a symmetrical piece of fabric the same on both sides that will look like the fabric pieces in the photos (the side is the slanted line on one purse, and the curved line on the other). Hope that helps clarify!

        Reply
  2. Krista says:
    May 31, 2011 at 4:15 pm

    How smart! Your bag is adorable. Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  3. Mandy @ Sugar Bee Crafts says:
    May 31, 2011 at 5:29 pm

    just shared this on my FB page!

    Reply
    1. Mary says:
      May 31, 2011 at 6:28 pm

      Thanks for sharing the link Mandy!

      Reply
      1. Karen says:
        March 20, 2014 at 5:49 pm

        I clicked on the link you gave for the plaid shirt, but I was not able to locate the instructions for that one. Help, please.

        Reply
        1. Mary says:
          March 20, 2014 at 5:57 pm

          Thanks for letting us know Karen, I’ve updated the link!

          Reply
          1. Kimberly says:
            November 24, 2014 at 1:27 am

            The link doesn’t work on either one of the post or blog pages – I tried both but thanks for the great ideas.

          2. Mary says:
            November 24, 2014 at 9:57 pm

            Thanks for letting us know! After some updates with Google Docs, all of our pdf patterns need to be re-linked and it’s been hard to track them all down. I’ll get the links updated tomorrow!

  4. Jessica Melendez says:
    May 31, 2011 at 6:34 pm

    What a cute concept! Thanks for the tutorial!

    Reply
  5. lynn richards says:
    May 31, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    these are fabulous!!! makes me want to go to Goodwill…well, at least it gives me a good reason to go!
    xo
    lynn

    Reply
  6. Kadie says:
    June 1, 2011 at 10:28 am

    I am working up the nerve to make one of these! I think they turn out so cute thanks for the great tutorial. BTW I am a new follower.

    Reply
  7. M says:
    June 1, 2011 at 10:58 am

    Wow! Those look so good. I also love reusing old shirts, and this is a fun way to do it. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  8. Jordan (Wayward Girls Crafts) says:
    June 1, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    That’s fantastic!! I know just what shirt I want to use for it. Does the shirt need to be a certain minimum size?

    New follower from Wow Me Wednesday (and you SO did)

    Reply
    1. Mary says:
      June 1, 2011 at 9:32 pm

      Good question Jordan! The pattern for the main body of the tote is 9.5″ tall by 13″ wide and you’ll cut two of those pieces from the back of the shirt. As long as there’s enough fabric from the back of the shirt to fit the pattern it should work. If the shirt you have in mind is too small you could also scale down the pattern. You’ll have to let us know how it turns out!

      Reply
      1. Minerva Alvarez says:
        June 27, 2016 at 10:01 pm

        Is it not 9.5 wide and 13″ wide? I am having a hard time with the size of the main body part my printer is not printing the right size.

        Reply
  9. Amie {Kitty Cats and Airplanes} says:
    June 1, 2011 at 8:38 pm

    This is awesome! Love how pretty it is, it looks like you chose some pretty fabric from a high end store and whipped this up. Love it, sharing this on my blog’s facebook page!

    Reply
  10. Emilee (Momma Made It!) says:
    June 2, 2011 at 8:51 am

    WOW these look amazing! What a creative way to reuse a shirt! Love it!

    Reply
  11. Magali says:
    June 2, 2011 at 9:08 am

    Merci beaucoup pour cette idée géniale

    Reply
  12. Alia says:
    June 2, 2011 at 9:53 am

    Hi!

    Im your new follower!

    I really liked your site! Keep up the good work!

    Do visit my blog too at http://aliascreativelife.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  13. San says:
    June 2, 2011 at 8:41 pm

    very cute and perfect for a summer project – could you post on my linky party? http://the4rsRamblings.blogspot.com

    Reply
    1. Mary says:
      June 4, 2011 at 2:28 pm

      Just linked up, thanks for asking!

      Reply
  14. farida says:
    June 3, 2011 at 4:38 am

    Thanks for sharing the tutorial….
    Beautifull work.keep it up!

    Reply
  15. Michelle says:
    June 3, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    I love them both! Both so different, but so awesome! I so need to learn to sew! Thanks for linking up with DIY under $5!

    Reply
  16. KAT says:
    June 4, 2011 at 1:13 pm

    Oh Thank you! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE
    KAT

    Reply
  17. KAT says:
    June 4, 2011 at 1:14 pm

    I’m following you!
    KAT Griffin

    Reply
  18. From Scratch says:
    June 4, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    Such a cool idea. Long ago, I made a purse from a pair of jeans, but I never thought of doing something like that from a shirt. Great idea!

    Reply
  19. loreen says:
    June 4, 2011 at 8:56 pm

    What a great job.

    Reply
  20. laura Owsley says:
    June 5, 2011 at 10:26 am

    Thanks for sharing your pattern and for the cute idea!!

    Reply
  21. Ruth H. says:
    June 5, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    This is wild! What a great concept. I am so impressed that you figured it all out. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  22. Angela says:
    June 5, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    This is great! Thanks for sharing the tutorial.

    Reply
  23. Jill says:
    June 6, 2011 at 2:55 am

    BRILLIANT!! I love the way you did this – and your tutorial is great too -so clear!

    I would love if you came over and linked this project to my weekly Round Tuit party at:
    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/

    I also have a page of clothes upcycling projects with a long term linky there. There are well over 100 links now with some amazing projects – I would love if you linked up there too!

    Have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success

    Reply
    1. Mary says:
      June 6, 2011 at 9:37 am

      Thanks Jill! I just linked up to both places.

      Reply
  24. Delaney says:
    June 6, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    This is super cool! I might have to try this!

    Reply
  25. Leila says:
    June 6, 2011 at 5:02 pm

    what a great idee!!

    Reply
    1. Leila says:
      June 6, 2011 at 5:02 pm

      idea I mean 😉

      Reply
  26. Megan @ Canoe Ridge Creations says:
    June 6, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    This is wonderful! I have a college roommate who would LOVE this–will be bookmarking. Thanks for linking up to {Sew} Modern Monday and have a wonderful week!

    Reply
  27. Jill says:
    June 6, 2011 at 9:42 pm

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  28. Natalie says:
    June 7, 2011 at 12:38 pm

    I love this idea. I have a few shirts that fit me kinda snug, I think I found a use for them.

    Reply
  29. Briana says:
    June 7, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    What an adorable and clever purse! Your cute creation will be featured tomorrow at Sweet Peas and Bumblebees! Don’t forget to stop by and grab our button!

    ~Briana

    Reply
    1. Mary says:
      June 8, 2011 at 9:03 am

      Thanks so much for the feature Briana!

      Reply
  30. Kristen says:
    June 7, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    So Awesome and Clever! I’m going to have to try this soon!

    Reply
  31. Robin says:
    June 8, 2011 at 10:17 am

    What a genius idea and a great way to upcycle! Who doesn’t need a new purse!

    If you don’t mind I would love it if you linked up to my weekly upcycled/stashbusting linky pary (Upcycled Awesome) at http://www.thetshirtdiaries.com or use this link: http://tinyurl.com/upcycled49

    Reply
    1. Mary says:
      June 8, 2011 at 9:58 pm

      Just linked up, thanks for letting us know about your linky Robin!

      Reply
  32. Bel says:
    June 8, 2011 at 8:15 pm

    Adorei lindo

    Reply
  33. Jenna @ SewHappyGeek says:
    June 10, 2011 at 3:40 am

    Hello! Just wanted to let you know, I’ve featured your link today on SewHappyGeek!

    Reply
  34. Ricki says:
    June 10, 2011 at 8:58 am

    What a genius idea! Love it!

    Reply
  35. min says:
    June 11, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    I would love for you to link it up to my party that is running now. Any linky goes.

    http://bacontimewiththehungryhypo.blogspot.com/2011/06/any-link-goes-party-running-now-summer.html

    Come strut your stuff.

    Reply
    1. Mary says:
      June 11, 2011 at 9:04 pm

      Thanks for the invite! Just visited your site and added our two most recent tutorials to the list.

      Reply
  36. Angela (Toucan Scraps) says:
    June 12, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    this is amazing, thank you for sharing.

    Reply
  37. saffiertje says:
    June 28, 2011 at 2:07 pm

    great way to re use!!! I made a messanger bag from a buttondown a few weeks ago!!!!
    I lined it with a frezzer bag that you can buy at the supermarket… and than you have a cooling messenger bag!!!

    Reply
  38. cliodana says:
    August 15, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    wow amazing how something can be something else!

    Reply
  39. Destiny says:
    September 9, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    This is really cute. Thank you for the tutorial! I love the way you incorporated the pleat and yoke from the shirt — what a great idea. I have trouble parting with clothes that are unuseable because of a stain or something but still have nicely detailed parts left. This would be great for piecework too.
    Again, thanks for your hard work in making up this tute.

    Reply
  40. Carissa says:
    October 11, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    what a great idea! Thanks so much for sharing your pattern and instructions. I found you through Infarantly Creative and thought I’ve never been to your blog before, your content looks great…so I’m your newest follower!

    Reply
  41. Linda L. says:
    January 14, 2012 at 1:21 am

    very nice! thanks for sharing this. I think the side pocket would be good for my pens that I’m always seeming to lose in the bottom of my purse. I actually made a purse with a small side pocket like this, and ran a seam down the middle of it for two pens. Worked great, and held the pens tight enough that they didn’t fall out.

    Reply
  42. GERALDINE says:
    February 3, 2012 at 4:14 pm

    Wow! Love this. Exactly what I’ve been looking for my old thrift shirts.
    Thanks.

    Reply
  43. Jane says:
    February 26, 2012 at 1:21 am

    CUTE! Great tutorial too!!! Thanks for sharing!!!

    Reply
  44. cindy says:
    March 6, 2012 at 10:46 pm

    I’ve gone crazy making purses – can’t wait to try this one!!

    Reply
  45. Dottie says:
    March 13, 2012 at 11:47 am

    I’m a ‘purse-aholic’ – bought or made myself – & I’ll
    definitely be making this one. Thanks so much for
    posting the tutorial…

    Reply
  46. Candie says:
    April 3, 2012 at 5:44 pm

    Loving this purse! Now I just need to find an awesome printed shirt to make one myself! 🙂 You should totally enter this project in Craftbaby’s ‘Upcycle Challenge’! http://www.craftbaby.com/contests/3/upcycle-it-sweeps

    Reply
  47. Jennifer Anidu says:
    June 4, 2013 at 2:33 pm

    Am new and just started following great women like you. Will try am following you on twitter Jennifer micheals. I will try this for sure.

    Reply
  48. Roxanne Carr says:
    October 1, 2015 at 9:14 am

    These purses look gorgeous! Few of my old shirts are going to look much better recycled into such lovely purses.Thank you fort the inspiration!

    Reply
  49. Minerva Alvarez says:
    June 27, 2016 at 1:46 pm

    I had to cut about 2″ off the sides (“pockets”) to make it fit, my printer is not printing to the “one inch”.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Jewelry Making Books
    Best Jewelry Making Books
  • Best Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
    Best Rotary Tool For Jewelry Making
  • Price On Quality Jewelry Making Pliers
    Best Price On Quality Jewelry Making Pliers
  • Chain for Jewelry making
    Best Chains For Jewelry Making
  • What Kind Of Copper Is Best For Jewelry Making
    What Kind Of Copper Is Best For Jewelry Making
Archives
Craft Buds
Craft Tutorials, Free Patterns and Handmade Business Tips

Input your search keywords and press Enter.