Upcycled T-Shirt Tote Bag

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Going green? It’s great to have reusable shopping bags handy. How about one that’s DIY, upcycled and customizable? All the better! 

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

YOU CAN NOW SHOP AT MICHAELS.COM online! YES! Find a project, simply add the supplies to your cart or shop for similar supplies for your own spin, check out and begin your DIY project the day your materials arrive at your home! You can now purchase all of your favorite arts and crafts supplies on any computer, tablet or smartphone. You can also check out what’s trending on Michaels Pinterest page by scrolling and shopping through the “Favorite Pins” section. Free Shipping on $50+ at Michaels.com.

This upcycled t-shirt market bag project from Michael’s was the perfect inspiration.

ordering online at michaels

My take on the Upcycled T-Shirt Tote Bag

Materials I used:

  • short sleeved sport gray adult medium t-shirt
  • black parachute cord 
  • black distressed iron on letters
  • gray thread 

upcycled tshirt tote back supplies 

Skill Level: Easy

Project Time: 30-60 minutes

You’ll also need:

  • scissors
  • sewing machine (optional) 
  • needle
  • iron

Michael’s Coupons: 

What I did:

1. Start with a washed, dried, and ironed t-shirt then flip inside out. 

easy tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

2. Next sew the bottom hem of the shirt closed using a sewing machine (you could also do this by hand).

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

3. Cut off the sleeves.

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

4. Cut off the neckline (squared).

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

5. Flip t-shirt right side out. That easy – it’s a bag! 

The following steps are optional. Use your imagine to come up with your own creative take on it!

6. Embellish! I chose to use iron on letters (apply to t-shirt according to package instructions) but you could also decorate with fabric paint and/or stamps as shown in Michael’s instructions. 

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

7. Cut two 12″ pieces of parachute cord and knot each end of each piece.

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

8. Using a needle and thread or sewing machine, attach the parachute cord for bag ties between each of the handles (at one knotted end). 

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

All done! Place near the door, ready to toss in the car for shopping.

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

Cute, cute, cute! Love it! Easy to do with so many possibilities…love that kind of DIY, don’t you?  

easy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.comeasy DIY tshirt tote bag tutorial at diyshowoff.com

Michaels.com: Your 24-hour Arts & Crafts Store

I recently joined the Michael’s Makers team which means I receive a gift card to complete and share fun craft challenges.


Valentine’s Day Decorating {Vinyl Decal Glass Top Table Runner}

I’m not quite late in terms of sharing my Valentine decorating, am I? I don’t do much…just a little here and there, mostly in the dining room. 

Valentine dining room decor

More pictures after a little vinyl tutorial: Having a vinyl cutting machine is GREAT for last minute decorating! Our reclaimed barn wood dining table is protected by a beveled glass top. And a glass top table is the perfect spot for an adhesive vinyl table runner just in time for Valentine’s day!

Valentine glass top table vinyl decals

You’ll need:

  • Adhesive vinyl from Happy Crafters in pink and soft pink
  • Transfer paper

Tools I used:

  • Silhouette Cameo
  • Silhouette Design Studio software
  • scissors
  • credit card/gift card

Happy Crafters Adhesive Vinyl

Using the Silhouette Design Studio software, I used different fonts to create Valentine text along with a few shapes from the online store.  Because I wanted to have the text reading different directions, I used the rotate tool to flip some of the text and shapes. 

Silhouette Design Studio software

Before sending the design to cut, I uploaded the vinyl into my machine color side up then changed my setting to cut adhesive vinyl. 

When cutting was complete, I removed and trimmed my vinyl design. Then inserted another sheet of vinyl and cut the design again. I used two sets of vinyl decals to create my table runner. cutting adhesive vinyl

Next up is removing all of the negative part of the vinyl design. Simply remove all vinyl that’s not a letter or shape. 

weeding vinyl decals

Now it’s like a sheet of vinyl stickers. Not something you want to place letter by letter so apply a piece of transfer paper over top of the vinyl decals. 

Measure placement and alignment of where the vinyl decal table runner will go onto your glass top table. 

vinyl decal placement

Rub the vinyl decals with a gift card so that the adhesive vinyl transfer from the wax paper backing to the transfer paper. 

transfer paper

Remove wax paper backing. Sometimes I have to use my fingernail or thumbnail to help along the transfer. 

adhesive vinyl decal tutorial

Carefully align and place the vinyl decal with transfer paper onto the glass. 

glass top table vinyl decal

Rub with a gift card so that the vinyl transfers from the paper to the glass. 

transferring vinyl decal

Remove transfer paper. 

transfer paper vinyl decal

That’s it! Now the glass table top sports a sweet Valentine’s message!

adhesive vinyl Valentine centerpiece

Simply peel away the vinyl for easy removal.

Valentine table decor

More decorating around the DIYShowOff house: 

Valentine centerpiece

 

Valentine wreath

Valentine's day dining room decorating

Valentine Mantel

 

DIYShowOff Valentine Mantel

 

Valentine dining room decor

 

Valentine dining room decor

 

Valentine decor

 

See more Valentine’s crafts in the DIYShowOff project gallery

 

Valentine kitchen

 

Valentine decorating

*This post is sponsored by Happy Crafters. Tutorial, experience and opinion is my own.  I really love working with this vinyl. Check out all the supplies at Happy Crafters for inspiration for your next project. 

HClogopngsmall

Share the Love: Free Printable Valentine Gift Tags

One month until Valentine’s day! Time to start thinking about cute Valentine’s craft ideas! Today I’m sharing some cute Valentine gift tag printables as a part of the Share the Love Blog Hop hosted by Jamie at C.R.A.F.T. (Creating Really Awesome Free Things). Visiting from sweet Lucy at Craftberry Bush? Welcome friends! I’m so glad you’re here! 

Share the Love Hop

Baby, it’s cold outside in my geographical location in February so how about adding a package of hot cocoa to a dollar store mug, toss in some DIY decorated marshmallow stirs and attaching a cute “You melt my Heart” tag. 

free valentine printable

Awe. Heart warming! Heart melting! They’re printable. They’re free! And they’re cute! 

You Melt My Heart Valentine Prinatable

Click here to open and print. 

Marshmallow Stick Treats

Great for accessorizing these gifts too:

  • chocolate
  • bath melts
  • candles
  • melted snowman cookies
  • snowman ornament

free valentine printable gift tag

Next up on the Share the Love Blog Hop is Vanessa at Tried and True with a super cute project & printable!

Share the Love Hop

Visit all 16 blog friends for even MORE free Valentine Printables! 

1. Jamie: “You mean the world to me!”

2. Lucy: “I love everything you dew!”

3. Roeshel: “You melt my heart!”

4. Vanessa: ” Thumb-body Loves You!”

5. Lindsay:  “You blow me away!”

6. Jamie: “You’re o-fish-ally an awesome friend!”

7. Kelly: “No matter how you slice it, we make a great combination!”

8. Lindi: “You rock!”

9. Andrea: “You’re the write one for me!”

10. Abbey: Valentines Day scavenger hunt

11. Jenna: “We’re 2 of a kind!”

12. Emily: “I like you a latte!”

13. Bethany: “You’re just my type!”

14. Caitlin: “You’re sweet!”

15. Colleen: “You’re a deer to me!”

16. Julia: “You are the bomb!”