How to Make a Tote Bag from a Men’s Shirt

Learn how to make a tote bag from a men’s shirt. This beginning sewing project reuses a shirt and can save clothing from a loved one.

My husband got rid of this shirt. It was starting to wear out at the hems and collars. I love the plaid and wanted to figure out a way to reuse it. We always need and use tote bags (they are so useful!), so I set about making a tote bag from the shirt.

I used one of my free sewing patterns and omitted one part I didn’t want to make the perfect tote bag. Get the free sewing pattern at the end of the post.!

This bag is great because it is made with a combination of a cotton men’s shirt and quilting cotton fabric. It’s strong because it’s lined, and you don’t need a serger to make it. It is very strong because there’s added fusible interfacing!

What kind of men’s shirt can I use?

The best men’s shirt to use is 100% cotton and it can either be regular woven fabric or flannel. I wouldn’t recommend using a shirt with a blend of polyester or spandex.

You can use a short sleeve button up shirt, but it makes it hard to make the straps from the shirt fabric. It’s easiest if you use a long sleeve men’s shirt so that you can use the sleeves for the straps.

Should I use interfacing?

Yes! The original free tote bag sewing pattern shared in the post doesn’t recommend interfacing because it needs to fold up small. Since you are skipping the fold up pocket, you will use fusible interfacing on the back of the shirt fabric to make it stronger and help close the button placket.

Do you love to sew? Try one of these sewing projects:

• Beginner Sewing Projects
• Bag Sewing Projects
• Eco Friendly Sewing Projects
• Gift Ideas to Sew for Men
• Men’s Shirt Upcycle and Refashion Ideas

How to Make a Tote Bag from a Men’s Shirt

Supplies

• 1 cotton men’s shirt
• 1/2 yard of quilting cotton
• 1/2 yard of fusible interfacing
• Free tote bag with fold up pocket sewing pattern – get it at the end of the post
• sewing tools
• sewing machine

Cut out two bag pieces from the shirt. Make sure that the top and bottom of the pattern piece end up between buttons and have space for seam allowance around the button. Make sure you aren’t cutting through the chest pocket. Cut two strap pieces from the sleeves or leftover fabric from the shirt.

Cut out two pieces of fusible interfacing. Cut out two bag pieces from quilting cotton fabric for the lining. Skip the fold up pocket pattern piece from the free pattern.

Sew the top and bottom of the button placket closed.

Iron the fusible interfacing to the back of the shirt bag pieces and the back of the strap pieces.

Press the straps in half. Then bring each side in to meet in the middle and press again. Fold all three folds and press again.

Topstitch along each side of the strap to hold it in place.

Pin the sides and the bottom of the bag pieces with right sides together. Sew around the edge at 3/8 inch.

Do the same to the lining.

Pull out the corner lining up the side seam with the seam along the bottom of the bag. Sew across like a triangle 2 inches from the point.

Do the same to the other side and the lining, so you will do this 4 times total.

Trim off the triangle seam allowance.

Pin the straps to the top of the outer bag piece with the short edges lining up with the raw edge of the bag. I like my straps to be about 6 inches apart. Baste in place.

With the outer piece right side out slip it inside the lining right side in. That way you’ll match right sides together. Match up the side seams.

Sew around the top at 3/8 inch seam allowance and leave a 4 inch hole for turning.

Turn the bag right side out.

Push the lining down inside the bag and roll out the seam along the top. Pull out the straps.

Edgestitch around the top of the bag to keep the straps up and the pocket down. This will also close the hole.

Add a little bit of extra stitch at the top next to the strap. You want the straps to be nice and secure.

You finished!

Get the Free Sewing Pattern here!

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!