T-Shirt to Tote Recon Tutorial

I had this t-shirt I bought at Six Flags a while back of one of my favorite roller coasters. I didn't want to get rid of it for sentimental value, but I never seemed to wear it. So I decided to re-purpose it into a tote bag and compose a tutorial so others can too!

Here's What You'll Need: 

• T-Shirt ( made from a mediumweight to heavyweight knit would work best)
• Sewing Machine or Serger
• Scissors
• Clothes Pins
• Thread
• Pen or Pencil
• Embroidery Hoop ( or another round item)
• Ruler
• Optional: Pinking Shears

Step 1: Lay your t-shirt completely flat. Then, take your scissors and cut off the sleeves and hem close to the seam lines.

Step 2: Grab the embroidery hoop ( or any other round item) and place it in the middle of the neckline and trace around it.

Step 3: Cut around the half circle you traced.

Step 4: Turn the shirt inside out. Pin the bottom edges together, right sides together. Sew with 1/2" seam allowance using a zig-zag stitch or with a serger to accommodate the stretch of the fabric.

Step 5: Turn your shirt to the side. Pull the edges of the fabric, with the seam in the middle, until it makes a triangle shape. Take you ruler and measure 2" down from the point of the triangle. Draw a line straight across and stitch along the line. This will make the tote have a square bottom.

Step 6: Once stitched, take your pinking shears or scissors and cut off the triangle.

Step 7: Now to give the top edges a finished look, pin down about 3/8" toward the inside. Starting with the armholes, stitch close to the edge, still using a zig-zag stitch.

Step 8: After the armhole is hemmed, stitch the neckline the same way.

Turn Your Bag Right Side Out and Your Finished!