Clothes Recycled to Make Reusable Bags
Instructions for Recycling a Button-front Shirt
Clothes Recycled to make reusable bags become
long-lasting, functional articles. Instructions for recycling a
button-front shirt are detailed below. Other pages on this site show
you how to make bags in general out of
any fabric, and also from recycled used
jeans.
Consider the memories you can preserve when your
clothes recycled into bags are selected from favorite items from your
personal history. Have you got a favorite denim shirt with worn
elbows, missing buttons or discolored armpit stains? You can cut
around those imperfections, and still keep most of the recycled shirt in
the bag you make!
You'll note that the shirt shown below has a front
pocket - you can have fun with this, especially if you're using a shirt
that was embroidered with a name, or has a pocket that was customized in
some way.
Shirt-to-bag Instructions:
The shirt can be any size, though you will end up
with a smaller bag from smaller shirts - of course. Start with a goal of
20" across and 20" down - if you can measure a square in the shirt with
20" sides, your bag will be the same size as those shown in the examples.
Lay the shirt flat on a work table, and smooth out
the front and back so that any folds or wrinkles are removed. If
your shirt has a pleat in the back yoke, be sure the fabric is pulled out
flat from that area (you may need to trim it).
Measure out your dimensions, then use a straight edge
to mark the cutting area.
Before you assemble the bag, run a seam up the edge
of the button placket, just to assure that your bag won't suddenly come
unbuttoned and spill out your contents!
You can pin it first if you need to be sure it's in
place, but generally having it buttoned should do the trick.
This is the bottom of the back of the button placket
area. this shows some of the extra layers cut away to minimize bulk
in the seams.
All the details of bag construction are on the
how to make bags page, so we won't
repeat those details here, just the shirt-related specifics.
One thing I didn't point out so much in the general
instructions was this - French seams often leave little threads sticking
out of your finished seam - just snip them as close to the seam as
possible and they'll disappear.
When you are pressing the seam out, turn the seam
allowance inside away from the front placket. Top stitch the seam in
that direction in order to minimize bulk in the seam.
When you press the folded top edge to prepare it for
the finishing seam, be careful to keep the top of the pocket (if any)
loose - free of the stitches. That may require a narrower margin,
and is actually better planned for ahead.
Now your bag is ready for its handles. Unlike
the general instructions, long-sleeved shirts recycled into bags come with
their own handles. Use the sleeves of your shirt as follows:
First cut off the cuffs. Be sure to grab any buttons
and snip them off before you discard the scraps. Same goes for the placket up the sleeve.
Cut up the arm of the sleeve, and fold the sleeve
lengthwise. Cut your handle straps, then press and sew them as shown
in the handle section of the how
to make bags page.
Is your shirt short sleeved? If so, you'll
likely have enough left from the back tail and yoke to get enough fabric
for the handles. If not, get creative and find a matching or
contrasting fabric scrap, or use ribbon or braid. Just be sure it
will be strong enough.
As with earlier steps, be careful to avoid
catching the pocket when you sew on the handles.
After you have finished sewing on your handles, you
have a great looking, one-of-a-kind bag!
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