Make a fashion hack
Transform an old shirt into a stylish tote bag using scissors and simple stitching with adult help. Learn measuring, cutting, and basic sewing skills.
Step-by-step guide to transform an old shirt into a stylish tote bag
FASHION HACKS AND CLOTHES DIY TRICKS || Smart Tips For Girls by 123 GO!
Step 1
Lay the shirt flat on a table and smooth out any wrinkles so it lies evenly.
Step 2
Use the ruler to measure how tall you want the bag and draw a straight cutting line across the front and back with the fabric marker.
Step 3
Ask an adult to cut across the marked line to separate the top (handles) from the bottom of the shirt.
Step 4
Turn the top piece of the shirt inside out so the inside of the fabric is facing out.
Step 5
Pin the raw bottom edges together with straight pins so the two layers line up evenly.
Step 6
Thread the needle and tie a knot at the end of the thread to prepare for sewing.
Step 7
Sew across the pinned bottom edge using a running stitch about 1 centimeter apart until the entire bottom is closed.
Step 8
Tie a secure double knot in the thread and trim any extra thread so the stitching will not come undone.
Step 9
Turn the shirt right-side out through the top opening so the handles are visible.
Step 10
Check the bottom seam and trim any loose fabric or even out the edge with scissors if needed.
Step 11
Share your finished tote bag on DIY.org
Final steps
You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!
Help!?
What can we use if we don't have a fabric marker, straight pins, or a sewing needle and thread?
Use tailor's chalk or a washable marker to draw the cutting line in step 2, substitute clothespins or binder clips for straight pins in step 5, and replace hand-sewing in steps 6–8 with fabric glue or iron-on hem tape if you don't have a needle and thread.
My bottom seam keeps coming undone or the layers shift while I sew—what should I do?
Measure and mark carefully in step 2, pin or clip the raw edges snugly in step 5 so the two layers line up, sew with running stitches about 1 cm apart as in step 6, and finish with a strong double knot and trim in step 7 to stop unravelling.
How can I adapt this activity for a 4-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a 13-year-old?
For a 4-year-old have an adult do the cut in step 3 and handle sewing while the child smooths the shirt in step 1 and decorates the finished tote, for a 9-year-old let them measure and draw the line in step 2 and practice the running stitch with supervision in steps 6–7, and for a 13-year-old allow use of a sewing machine for step 6 and more advanced embellishments before sharing on DIY.org.
How can we personalize or improve the tote beyond the basic instructions?
Create a lined bag by cutting and sewing a matching fabric piece before step 5, reinforce the handles by folding and adding extra rows of stitches after step 8, and personalize with fabric paint, patches, or pockets before sharing the finished tote on DIY.org.
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Facts about clothing upcycling and basic sewing
♻️ Upcycling an old shirt into a tote helps keep textiles out of landfills — millions of tons of clothing are discarded each year.
✂️ Use fabric scissors only on fabric — sharp scissors make cleaner cuts and sewing easier (and safer!).
📏 A common seam allowance for simple projects is 1/2 inch (about 1.3 cm) — easy to measure and sew!
🛍️ A reusable tote can replace dozens or hundreds of single-use plastic bags over its lifetime.
🧵 Hand-sewing tools have been used for over 20,000 years — people were sewing clothes long before machines!
How do you transform an old shirt into a stylish tote bag?
What materials do I need to make a tote bag from an old shirt?
What ages is this shirt-to-tote activity suitable for?
What safety tips should I follow when turning a shirt into a tote bag?
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