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DIY Reusable Grocery Bags from Old T-Shirts in 10 Minutes

Reusable grocery bags in 10 minutes that won’t cost you a dime? I’m in. How about you?

Closeup of an upcycled grocery tote, made with old t-shirts.

Do you have a drawer full of old t-shirts that never get worn? Turn those tees into sturdy reusable grocery bags with nothing more than basic sewing supplies and a little time. These bags cost nothing to make if you’re using shirts you already own, and they’re surprisingly quick and easy.

This project is perfect for beginners — there are only a few simple seams to sew and the rest is clever cutting. With a couple of zigzag stitches and a few trims, you’ll have a functional tote ready to carry groceries, produce, or other everyday items.

If you’ve been wanting a low-cost, eco-friendly craft that actually saves you money and reduces waste, this is it. The whole process takes about 10 minutes, depending on your speed and how neat you want the finish to be.

A woman holding a neon green polka dot grocery bag.

Materials for DIY Grocery Tote

  • Old t-shirt (any size or thickness)
  • Thread to match
  • Sewing machine (or hand-sewing needle)
  • Scissors

Reusable Grocery Bag Instructions

1. Turn the t-shirt inside out. Sew a straight zigzag stitch across the bottom opening of the shirt, about 1–2 inches up from the hem. Backstitch at the start and finish to reinforce the seam. For extra durability, stitch over that line a second time. Since grocery items can be heavy, that added reinforcement helps the bag hold up longer.

2. To create neater corners, add a diagonal zigzag stitch on each bottom corner, then trim away any excess fabric. This isn’t required, but it gives the bag a tidier finish and helps prevent small items from getting stuck in the corners.

3. Cut off the sleeves and remove the collar or neck area to form your handle. The pattern in the photos shows a single wide handle, but you can cut for two narrower handles if you prefer.

4. Sew a zigzag stitch across the top edge where the collar was to finish the strap area. Backstitch at both ends and go over the seam at least twice for added strength, as you did at the bottom.

5. Trim any loose fabric, then turn the bag right side out. Your tote is ready to use.

A before and after photo of an old t-shirt that was made into a reusable grocery bag.

Alternative handle options

You can make either a single wide handle by removing the collar and sleeves as described, or create two separate straps by cutting differently at the neck and sleeve areas. The photos show both approaches — choose the one that feels most comfortable to carry.

Steps for sewing a grocery bag from an old t-shirt.

Uses for your upcycled t-shirt bag

Replace single-use plastic bags at the grocery store, use them as extra car storage to keep items from rolling around in the trunk, or carry them as a casual tote or lightweight purse. These bags are versatile, washable, and compact — fold one into another bag or stash it in your glove compartment so you always have a reusable option on hand.

Image showing two different ways to cut a t-shirt to make a reusable shopping bag.

More projects from old t-shirts

Old tees are great for lots of other upcycle projects. A few ideas to try:

  • Reusable produce bags — quick to sew and perfect for fruits and vegetables. They pair nicely with your new grocery tote.
  • Utensil wrap — a handy way to bring reusable cutlery on the go and avoid single-use plastics.
  • Unpaper towels — replace disposable paper towels with machine-washable cloths made from scraps. There are both sewn and no-sew options depending on your preference.

A neon green polka dot shirt made into a tote bag.

Detail photo of striped grocery bag, made from a t-shirt.

Polka dot shopping bag, detail shot.

Woman holding a coffee and a striped grocery bag.

Before and after photo of t-shirt turned grocery tote.

DIY Reusable Grocery Bags with an Old T-Shirt

Use these grocery bags to replace plastic bags at the store or as extra storage in the car to keep items from rolling around. You can also use them as a casual tote. There are only a couple of seams to sew and the rest is cutting, so the project literally takes about 10 minutes.

Equipment

  • sewing machine
  • scissors

Ingredients

  • old t-shirt
  • thread

Instructions

  1. Turn the t-shirt inside out and sew a zigzag stitch in a straight line across the bottom opening, about 1–2 inches up from the very bottom. Backstitch at the beginning and end, then stitch over the line a second time for strength.
  2. For neater corners, add a diagonal zigzag stitch on each corner and trim excess fabric.
  3. Cut off the sleeves and neck area to make a single-handle bag, or use a different cutting method for two handles.
  4. Sew a zigzag stitch across the top where the collar was to form the strap. Backstitch and stitch across the seam twice for reinforcement.
  5. Trim excess fabric and turn the bag right side out.

Notes

There are many ways to repurpose old tees — try reusable produce bags, utensil wraps, or unpaper towels. These simple projects extend the life of fabric and reduce household waste.

Sewing: Liz Scoper
Model: Stephanie Reagan
Photography: Brittni Mehlhoff

Would you try this upcycled project? Do you have old t-shirts waiting for a new purpose?