Wednesday Sewing – Custom T Shirt and Sweatshirt Totes

One of my most popular tutorials is my Sweatshirt Tote. You can find the original tutorial here. I have played with a number of variations in the years since I first created it, from the first braided strap, to the rope straps to my current single strap.

This bag was a custom project for Etsy artisan Vicki Orion of Orion Designs on Etsy. (Stay tuned for an interview with Vicki next week. Her work is gorgeous!) Her shirts were hand-painted by a friend of hers. You may have seen the T Shirt tote I created. (Tutorial here.)

Since both bags were created from T Shirts and not sweatshirts, I decided to line them with duck cloth to add some body and strength.

It is such a great way to use an old shirt or sweatshirt. I have a pile of them in my basket to upcycle into bags, some from friends and many from my kids who have nearly as many sweatshirts as T Shirts!

In the cross body tote above, I created a long strap, about 40″, using three pieces of the sleeve. I made it wide toward the bag and tapered at the middle where it would sit on the shoulder.

I’ve been busy with some other custom sewing, including a small, drawstring backpack for a Disney-bound little girl. She was thrilled with it!

Speaking of princesses, the little one down the street has a new stool cover. Her mom had purchased two hooded towels and asked me to create a cover for a round stool that will be used for her desk/vanity.