Sunday, June 20, 2010

T-Shirt Bags

I love bags.  I have way too many of them; they clutter up my closets and bedroom.  But I'm not into bags that cost more than a month's worth of groceries...most of my stash cost less than $10.

My favorites are the ones I've made.  I've been playing around lately with old T-Shirts, and here are a few styles I came up with:

Ruffled, version A

Ruffled, version B



Plain, with contrasting thread and a pocket

This next one is pretty much like Ruffled version A (except bigger) but it was made from a T-Shirt with that design on it; I'm not talented/patient enough to add that myself!

Here's all the bags I whipped up last Thursday.  (The two on the far left are both "Plain with contrasting thread and a pocket" (hmmm, I think that needs a better name))
If you look closely, you'll see a little army of paint bottles in the upper right corner of this pic.

Yes, my friends, I couldn't leave well enough alone...I had to decorate the bags too.

You see, my mom spent all last week at Cub Scout Day Camp.  That left my 12-yr old twin brothers and 9-yr old sister with my 80 yr old grandmother.  I decided Friday I would give her a break and do a project with the kids.  So I stayed up until almost 11 (my kids are up at 6am, so I like to be in bed by 9 usually) to get all the bags sewn. 

I also brought over some potatoes that were sprouting to use for potato stamps.
Seeing as I still don't trust them with a sharp utensil, I had them trace what they wanted and then I cut out the shapes.  Of course they wanted ridiculously intricate things...I got them to compromise with a heart, peace sign, circle, moon, and the Green Lantern symbol.  (It's a comic book character...I unfortunately know quite a bit about the Green Lantern since my hubby is just a big kid and actually has my 2 year old hooked on the Justice League.  And she's a girl.  But anyways.) 

The kids in action...

I wasn't sure if my little Munchkin would want to do this, but luckily I came prepared with her apron just in case!  She still managed to get paint on her sleeves of course.



She also found out the hard way that even though paint looks yummy, it isn't!  (Although the colors we were using did kind of make me think of Hook, where they make-believe all that food.)


The after math...clean-up wasn't too terrible, but it was hard for me to see my favorite bag look so...like a 2 year old attacked it.  Which is exactly what happened, but still.  I get a little too attached to my sewing projects sometimes, so this was a good exercise in letting go.  And my daughter is very proud of her new bag!

All four bags...(from left to right) my brother's which had something to do with a bird key and "Clowbag" or something, my other brother's completely Green Lantern bag, my Munchkin's hearts and messy painting, and lastly my sister's Love and Peace bag - with some lightning bolts thrown in for good measure I guess.

Now, I just need to make one for myself!

(Minus all the paint I think.)



Click here to see how I made the Ruffle bags.
The Girl Creative



NightOwlCrafting








15 comments:

  1. I love your bags and your little munchkin is just adorable :)) What a sweetie for taking the kids off of your grandmother's hands for the day!! Have you ever done a post that shows how you make the bags?? I for one would be very interested!! I have collected t-shirts with many different designs but I am looking for a way to transform them into bags.
    Thanks for sharing :)
    ~ Michella ~
    xxoxo

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  2. Thansk Michella! I actually was planning on posting the how-to, but my camera was having issues but I'm hoping to get one up tonight or tomorrow, we'll see if my kids cooperate. :)

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  3. I love the idea of continuing to use a much loved T! the bags *and little helpers* are darling! happy monday : )

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  4. OOooh, i love them!!! I love the ruffled white ones..........so cute! makes me want to go make some! :)

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  5. LOVE these- I have a whole pile of white tshirts that need to be repurposed into bags. :)
    We have a friday linky party- we'd love it if you'd link to this! :)

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  6. Can I buy the brown one? No, im not kidding. It is just slightly absolutely amazing.

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  7. What a great idea to make bags from t-shirts! I have old ones I can't bear to throw out but never wear! Now I know what to do with them!

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  8. I raelly love the T-Shirt bags. These would make great market bags. You clever girl. Thanks for sharing.

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  9. Such a great idea! I'm thinking I can use some of my Hubby's T's that he was going to throw out. Love your helpers, too -- precious!!

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  10. Me Encanta Tu blog, Eres muy Creativa, por cierto estoy de sorteo,por si gustas pasarte por ahi...

    Ara.
    ara-kreativa.blogspot.com

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  11. WAY CUTE! Something to do with my husbands undershirts instead of throwing them out. Maybe I'll dye them!

    Elizabeth
    sewchatty.blogspot.com

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  12. Oh what a way cute idea! I am going to make one of these! Thanks for linking up to Hoo's got talent!

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  13. Very cute bags..I love the ruffles, yours are by far some of my favorites!
    ~Lauri
    http://knitsandreads.blogspot.com
    l_meinhardt@yahoo.com

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  14. I featured your cute t-shirt bags on Hoo's got talent this week! Feel free to grab the I've got talent button for your blog!

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  15. I need to get the kids in on my upcycling. i love the ruffly bag!

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