Eco-friendly uses for swag a.k.a old t-shirts

[Kat Warner]

In New Zealand, there is a push to stop using single-use plastic bags. This trend is surely happening elsewhere as well.

Sometimes children grow out of their t-shirts before they look worn or you end up with far too many t-shirts or t-shirts the wrong size for you to wear. (Yay for summit swag).

Problem meets solution!

Adult t-shirts can become grocery shopping bags and children's sizes make great produce bags.

Sewing method

1. Cut inside the arm seams and cut a scoop around the neckband. Cut the front and back at as the same time so they match.
2. Cut the hem off the bottom of the t-shirt.
3. Turn the t-shirt inside out and sew with a zig zag stitch.
4. <Optional> Sew in a box bottom if you know how or just Google for the instructions.

No-sew method

1. Cut inside the arm seams and cut a scoop around the neckband. Cut the front and back at as the same time so they match.
2. Cut a fringe 4cm into the shirt all the way along the bottom (shorter cuts for children's t-shirts).  Each cut should be approx 1.5cm apart. The first cut of the fringe will have a piece of the front and back of the t-shirt and will include the side seam. Cut carefully along the seam to separate and begin the knotting process using these two pieces.
3. Begin knotting a piece from the back and front together. Do this all the way along the bottom.  You can either have the fringe on the inside of the bag or showing as a tassel along the bottom of the bag.

[Kimberly Deal _Columbus ACE_]

Ooh.  Awesome idea.  Easy to pack swag bags for Summit too!

[Fabienne Gerhard]

I love this idea of recycling - tried the non-sewing method but with only one big knot, but that took a lot of space from the bag.

Will try out to sew it. 

[Kat Warner]

Confession time ... I have not made a bag like this yet. It is my mission for this weekend.

[Kimberly Deal _Columbus ACE_]

 I like the fringe knot idea for the no sew. 

I suppose this would give me practice sewing knits, which I don't do :-)

Love the kitty gif! @Fabienne Gerhard

[Fabienne Gerhard]

thanks @Kimberly - love kittys, gifs and would love to be better at sewing - what would be better than combining this

I stumbled across another idea that is similar to the bag idea:

Make pillows out of shirts and also business shirts (who doesn't love a good sleep)

I love the idea behind those shirt pillows with a memory.

For pillows made of t-shirt it seems like there are several ways to realize them starting with knots, braiding up to sewing.

Did anyone try this?

@Kat Warnerhow did your weekend mission go?

[Kat Warner]

@Fabienne Gerhard - it went well but I have not taken a photo yet. I'll get on to that!

The shirt pillows seem like an amazing way to remember someone special.

[Kimberly Deal _Columbus ACE_]

@Fabienne Gerhard

Like anything, the more you do it the better you will get at it.  I've been sewing for a long time, and I still find challenging projects.  :-)

[Fabienne Gerhard]

Would love to see the results @Kat Warner

I will definitly work on my sewing skills - especially working with jersey fabric, I have a lot of respect for! Kimberly Deal

[Kat Warner]

Here is my first attempt. My husband was not so keen to have one of his gaming t-shirts sacrificed to this experiment in case I failed completely. I'm happy with the result.

[Kimberly Deal _Columbus ACE_]

Awesome!  It looks great.  Now he can wear a gaming shirt *and* carry a gaming t-shirt bag!

[Monique vdB]

Oooh I will have to try this with my Unisex Conference Shirts of Sadness, aka, shirts that try their hardest but don't fit. 

[Kat Warner]

Give the shirt a different purpose - it did not want to fail. :P

[Irminsul]

Has anyone tried adding pockets to these bags? I think a small pocket for keys or a wallet could be a useful addition. Also, I can totally see doing this with conference or event swag t-shirts that always seem to pile up.

[Danielle Charles]

Wow, this thread is a bit of a throwback but still incredibly relevant today. I love the idea of repurposing old t-shirts into grocery or produce bags—what a brilliant way to cut down on single-use plastics. Kudos to Kat for sharing such a detailed how-to, both for the sewing and no-sew methods!

In line with this eco-friendly theme, I recently discovered wonderfulcups.com, a company that specializes in making 100% compostable and biodegradable cups. They're a fantastic alternative to single-use plastics as well, especially for anyone who's looking to make their everyday habits a bit greener.