T-shirt Bags

On a rainy weekend, nothing is more comfortable  than sitting around at home in your favorite T-shirt and jeans. If you’re like us, kid makers,  you may have a whole collection of clothes that you don’t wear but dont’ want to throw out … especially favorite t-shirts. Whether you outgrew it, it’s stained or it’s just last year’s style, we have the perfect upcycling fix: BAGS!

We all carry a lot of things this time of year, like a book bags for school, grocery bags for apple picking, and of course, trick-or-treat bags for Halloween! Grab your oldest summer tee and start making.

T-shirt Bag Project Ideas:

• Not confident in your stitches? Check out these no-sew fringe bag instructions from Tealou & Sweetpea.
• We love the great photos for this grocery bag how to from Between the Lines – and that it was inspired by those crazy bags grapes come in.
• This t-shirt backpack from Instructables is perfect for gym class.

T-shirt bags are a great example of one of kid-makers favorite types of making: UPCYCLING! What is “upcycling”?

Upcycling is a way to take something old and use your imagination to create something new.  It’s good for the earth and super creative, which is why we have a whole category for it here on The MAKESHOP Show website. Anytime we reuse something instead of throwing it away, we keep trash out of landfills. And if being green can also inspire a new, one of a kind backpack for this school year – why not upcycle?

Remember, if you make any of these projects, or invent your own, tell us about it!  Contact us at: info@makeshopshow.com

*SAFETY NOTE: Ask an adult to help or be nearby whenever you’re sewing. Metal needles are sharp and sewing machines need to be used properly to ensure your safety while you’re busy creating amazing things.  

© 2012 Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh