upcycled tshirt project/book bag

Simple little project with very little sewing, a small book bag or knitting/crocheting project bag made from one of H's old t-shirts.

the project is really as easy as one, two, three...

t-shirt project bag
ingredients:
-1 old tshirt (I used a toddler sized shirt age 3-4)
-needle and thread (or a sewing machine because my had sewing is horrific)
-scissors

1. pick out a loved t-shirt that is worse for wear. Turn it inside out, pin along the bottom seem.

2. sew along the bottom of the shirt.

3. turn the shirt right side out.. cut off the sleeves and then cut off the neck of the shirt. Tug the t-shirt material along the arm and neck holes so that the fabric curls over and fill with whatever you want.


The before picture of H's t-shirt, I have no idea where it came from the size is age 3-4 and there was very little wear on the shirt (meaning his head grew too fat for it and he had to go the the next size up).

Its a super simple project and can be done with any size shirt, use a large shirt as a shopping carrier bag (you could probably sew a small pouch out of a large sleeve to fold the shirt bag into to store in your handbag when needed). I think using kids t-shirts would make great lunch/snack bags and also a great way for kids to collect treasures when you go on walks or to the beach, as they can be easily folded up to store them and can be made from those favourite shirts that they can no longer wear.


I have seen similar t-shirt material bags in shops and if you google it you will probably find two dozen or more tutorials (I watched a youtube clip of a woman duck taping the inside of a t-shirt and using staples instead of sewing, whatever floats your boat really).

My sewing machine hates me so I need to re-sew the bottom of my bag though I carried a book and my phone around all day yesterday and it held up very well anyway. I desperately need a bigger sewing machine, nothing horribly fancy but something that will sew a few layers together without having a hissy fit at me. M machine is practically a tinker toy, and though it has been a great learning tool I could do with the next step up so I can continue learning to sew and make the things I wish to make (like more patchwork squares so I can make Katy help me make a quilt).

If I can get my sewing machine to behave I think I will make some shopping carrier bags with a few of my favourite shirts that have died a death (holes and stains) and add some doilies and buttons!

Converse One Star Cushion

Apologies in advance for the dire photo, the light had gone and I couldn't wait to share the cushion because I'm so happy with how it turned out. The cushion was made from a Converse shirt of Matt's that we bought at Target last year in Idaho. After having a coffee at the Starbucks inside the shop first. Oh how I miss Target, I never through I would after all those years of working there dressed in tan and red.

The shirt had a couple of holes in a sleeve and at the bottom but the rest of the shirt was in good condition so I thought it needed to be recycled into something else. A cushion was the simplest thing I could think of as I already had a cushion inner that was taking up space in the box I keep my fabric in. It was a simple and fun project and I'm glad the shirt is still around. It was a nice shirt! Matt has acquired it for the back of his chair in the office, citing that it was his shirt so it should be his cushion!

the shirt before I hacked at it

t-shirt yarn knit necklace

its a bird its a plane its a...t-shirt? so if you read the last post about turning t-shirts into yarn I mentioned turning a teal t-shirt into some yarn that I began knitting. It was actually really nice to knit with and I ripped out what I had started and began again to make a thin (only 3 stitches) knit necklace. I'm wearing it know as a matter of fact. actually you will see a picture of me taken ten minutes ago if you scroll down a bit. Yes I am a total dork.... *face palm* sorry the pictures are a bit unfocused, the light is terrible today.. I may get M to take some better photos for me.. then again I may just get grumped at.

I really loved making this little scarflet/knitlace/knit necklace ... the whole process of cutting up an old shirt and turning it into yarn was really cathartic, and fun too. I'm off to dig through a bag of H's old clothes to see what t-shirts I can turn into little bits of yarn to make some potholders and whatever else I can dream up.

*sigh*

recycling the kitchen tiles

upcycled/recycled stone tiles (aka magnets to be)

In a box in the garage are several sheets of unused sheets of small stone tiles left over from the kitchen. In an attempt to amuse myself yesterday I dragged my paints, and tatty paint brushes out and had a go at painting on stone. My idea is to turn them into magnets, once I have sourced some strong magnets to glue to the back of the tiles.

teal cup (my favourite)

I think they look pretty good for a small quick experiment, and once I have found some magnets and sprayed some varnish/lacquer on top they will make a great little stocking stuffer for Christmas. The teal cup and the toadstool are my favourites so far, and I have a few more sheets of tiles to rip from the backing and have a play with. When I have found some magnets I will share with you what I have found and maybe write a mini tutorial if anyone would be interested?

a starbuck's red cup for M

What the Felt?

teal felt flower brooch

glaring evidence of my lack of sewing skills

Go on feel free to laugh, I have always maintained that I cannot sew, aside from the occasional button replacement. I took pottery and art in school instead home ec, my reasoning was I already knew how to cook, I grew up on a farm so I could take care of animals, what else was there to learn? I'm pretty sure the pottery course didn't really do much for me, although I did make a damn fine puffer fish shaped tea pot! My parents stiff have it but as far as I know it has never held any tea.

This was also part of the Recycle Reuse Recraft Challenge the felt was from a charity shop find of a slightly stained teal scarf that was 100% wool that I bought for a bargain 99p. I have only used the edge of the scarf to make this slightly wonky flower brooch but it is recycled. Even the thread is, its from a hotel travel kit that was kicking around in a drawer.

the scarf in question pre-felting

Recycle - Reuse - Re-craft a Challenge

Recycle - Reuse - Re-craft

This week’s challenge is to do some craft recycling! I started this challenge post on the mumsnet crafters site, but I thought it was such a good idea that I have added it here so that anyone can participate who wishes to in this recycling crafting challenge.

We all have excess bits of crafting materials at home, that seem to multiply so lets put those bits to good use. Repaint and old canvas, turn curtains into clothes, clothes into dolls.Alternatively have a rummage around your local thrift/charity shop and turn something unwanted and shabby into something crafty and chic. Pilfer the car boot box, Fight off the spiders lurking in the attic. Ask friends or family if they have any fabric, frames, junk jewellery, flower pots, floor tiles, anything you can get crafty with.

A Few Ideas:

Felt an old woollen jumper, or unpick it wash the yarn and knit something new.

Find an old wooden picture frame, sand it down and paint it and frame a painting, a drawing, scraps of fabric, old drawings in your sketch book that have been lurking under the bed collecting dust.

Recycle old beaded jewellery from something old and unworn into a newer more contemporary piece.

Recycle old jeans into toys, wallets, ornaments.

Recycle magazine or newspaper or old fabric into card craft.Paint old pine furniture, or boxes.

Anyone can join all I ask is that you take some before and after pictures of your recycled crafts and post them on your blog with a link back to me or mumsnet arts and crafts blog. You can use the recycle reuse recraft image if you choose to participate. And no cheating and buying new!

Most of all have fun and Recycle, Reuse and Re-craft.