This sweatshirt was no longer as slouchy as I would like (one too many tumbles in a too hot dryer…yep!) and was languishing unloved in my wardrobe. So I thought I’d turn it into a handy little market tote, (complete with reinforced handles) ready for my next shopping trip… here’s how….
Start by pressing and laying out flat with shoulder seams lined up….
Cut off the sleeves using the seams as a guide…
Cut a big “U” shape out of the neckline…
Turn inside out, remove ribbing, sew opening closed (I curved my corners), then turn right side out again….
Now for the handles. Cut 2 x 7″ sections from the ribbing you just removed….
Fold in half lengthwise and serge (you could also zig zag or stretch stitch) all the way along the open edge. Look what it does! Cuurves into a perfect handle shape!
Feed one side of a handle through the tube…
Secure/stitch the 2 handle/strap pieces together…
Then slide the tube of ribbing over the join to hide it and distribute evenly. Repeat for both handles….
and you’re done!
The beauty of this is that it provides a little more structure and support to what would otherwise be rather stretchy handles, which has kinda what put me off the idea of T Shirt bags in the past. Plus sweatshirt fabric is sturdier to begin with. I think this bag could take a few fresh apples and bananas without breaking into a sweat (unintentional pun 😉
Do you use reuseable shoppers? Handmade or shop bought? My worst habit is actually remembering to take them with me to the shop…doh!
Rita says
23rd February 2015 at 8:02 pmA fantastic idea!
I use reusable shoppers, but they are not that pretty hmmm… like this.
I have to make some!
portia says
23rd February 2015 at 8:09 pmThanks Rita! Be sure to show me if you do! Px
Toria says
23rd February 2015 at 8:24 pmFantastic idea! I’m so pleased to have discovered your blog 🙂 This would be perfect as a bag for chucking my daughters’ bits and pieces in when we’re out and about. I like that it’s sturdy too; I’ve made a bag from a vest top before and it was pretty useless with being so stretchy.
portia says
23rd February 2015 at 9:12 pmExactly my thoughts. Who wants their free range eggs being bungee’d into the pavement, right, lol?!
Willo says
24th February 2015 at 2:46 amWow,how much fabric could fit in that bag
portia says
24th February 2015 at 7:10 amQuite a bit I should think! Px
Anne says
24th February 2015 at 1:46 pmAwesome bag!! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post that links to your tutorial here:
http://sewing.craftgossip.com/tutorial-sweatshirt-market-tote/2015/02/24/
–Anne
portia says
24th February 2015 at 2:05 pmThanks Anne! Px
portia says
26th February 2015 at 9:51 amThankyou Anne 🙂 You are awesome!
Kate says
24th February 2015 at 8:21 pmGreat idea – thanks so much! 🙂
portia says
24th February 2015 at 8:45 pmShucks! You’re welcome Kate 😉
Timi says
25th February 2015 at 7:16 amWhat a great idea!!! Thank you for the tuto!!!
portia says
25th February 2015 at 7:44 amThank you Timi! Glad you like 🙂
Ginger says
25th February 2015 at 5:53 pmClever!!! I’ve got a grease-stained sweatshirt that I’ve been mulling over a refashion for some time… this will be just the ticket, I think!
portia says
26th February 2015 at 9:50 amPatch pocket from the leftover sleeves could hide the grease marks? Or maybe some abstract appliqué over the affected area with leftover sleeve fabric….hmmmm…
Carol says
3rd March 2015 at 9:58 pmHOW COOL!!!!!! I will be making these. I always need a sturdy bag to carry all my work stuff in. THANKS! Carol
portia says
3rd March 2015 at 10:18 pmAh you’re welcome Carol
Penny Mann says
5th March 2015 at 10:07 pmWhat a brilliant idea.
I am going to go through my husbands wardrobe now to see what sweatshirts I can make bags out of – hehehe!!!
xx
portia says
5th March 2015 at 11:04 pmCouldn’t possibly condone that Penny, he he 😉
Tina Barner says
10th March 2015 at 7:08 pmI have been very leery of anything “stretchy” and was quite afraid to even try! However, this tutorial is so incredibly easy and awesome, I can’t wait to get started! I like to get materials from a local thrift shop as you can recycle just about anything. I am, however, only looking for pillowcases and now sweatshirts! Thanks SO MUCH for this awesome idea!
portia says
10th March 2015 at 7:31 pmYou’re welcome Tina! I thoroughly approve of your choice of shopping venue! 😉 Px
Mania says
4th May 2015 at 12:11 pmthis is soooo cool!!!!!!!
MALIKA says
8th February 2016 at 11:56 amGood idea.
Susie says
26th June 2016 at 1:08 pmI love this and want to make it! However, I got confused when you referred to feeding the handles through the tube. I didn’t know what tube you were talking about. Can you explain what or where it is?
Portia Lawrie says
26th June 2016 at 2:08 pmHi Susie! Apologies for any lack of clarity. The tube(s) I refer to are the handles made from the ribbing in the previous step. Does that help?
Phyllis Smith says
10th April 2017 at 7:04 amVery cool idea! I have a sweatshirt that I machine embroidered with the name of a church that we no longer attend. I’ve wondered what to do with it. It would even be hard to give away! I don’t care if that name is on my shopping bag, and it would be easy to fold up the bag and stash it in my handbag until it’s needed!
Portia Lawrie says
10th April 2017 at 11:21 amperfect!
Judy Willette says
30th August 2018 at 3:58 pm“Secure/stitch the 2 handle/strap pieces together…
Then slide the tube of ribbing over the join to hide it and distribute evenly. Repeat for both handles….”
I guess I’m being dense, but I just don’t get this part. Please explain.
portia says
31st August 2018 at 11:47 amThe tube of ribbing sits on one side of the handle.((each handle is initially 2 pieces) Once you join the two pieces of the handle together you slide the tube of ribbing over the handle to cover the join.
Kitty lipsky says
15th February 2019 at 5:29 pmI intend to make this today! I plan to make pockets from the sleeves, one inside and one outside with the rubbing giving them some structure.