Do you have an old shirt you don’t wear anymore, but the pattern is too cute to throw away? You can upcycle it! Be environmentally friendly with a bit of fun by making these reusable grocery or tote bags. You can use a pillow case, an old shirt, or even a bed sheet; they’re super easy to make! Continue reading to find out how to make these bags.
What You Need:
- Fabric
- Thread
- Scissors
Getting Started:
First, make sure you have enough fabric to make a decent sized bag. Cut a piece of fabric into the shape shown in the photo below. You will need two of these. To make sure they’re the same size, you can layer the fabric, and cut both at the same time.
Next, you want to fold the cut-out in half and cut a 45 degree angle out of the bottom corner. Make sure you cut it from the side that is open. Do this with both pieces.
When you open it up, it will look like the image below. Layer the pieces together and sew the sides and bottom. This will be the inside of the bag, so if the fabric has patterns, make sure it is inside out. 
After sewing the sides and bottom, there will be holes in the corners where you didn’t sew. Fold them so they are perpendicular to the sides and bottom as shown below. Sew them closed.
An optional step is to hem the raw edges of the bag. Fold a thin hem and then sew along the edges. This will make the bag look very neat and finished. It might also add strength to it and make it last longer. 
Turn your bag inside out, and you are finished with your tote.
Make many of these, and forget about those ugly plastic bags! Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Check out the original tutorial from Free People for more details.
