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a Five Minute Funky Shopping Bag

​These make very handy shopping bags to keep in your handbag, they fold up into a small, compact square, but when they are in use they hold an amazing amount of shopping, library books, craft supplies, knitting, beach gear, sports gear and so on.

Best of all they cost nothing to make! Not a cent for materials (yes, you'll pay for the electricity you use for the sewing machine!) and each one will be unique.

These bags are made from old t-shirts, or those souvenir t-shirts that are lurking at the bottom of the drawer, old favourites that you no longer wear but can't part with. Now they have a use, and it's a practical one too.

They also make great gifts, especially if you use a t-shirt to suit the recipient's taste and personality.
You will need:
A t-shirt
Sewing machine
Thread to match the t-shirt
Pins
Iron & ironing board

Step 1. Press the t-shirt, lining up the side seams, sleeve seams and neckline.

Step 2. Turn the t-shirt inside out and line up the side seams. Stitch across the bottom. Reinforce this by stitching across again. Turn the t-shirt right side out.

Step 3. Lay the shirt flat, lining up the side and shoulder seams. Pin in place. Press.

Step 4. Take a medium size mixing bowl and place half-way over the neck line of the t-shirt.

Draw around the bowl. You should have a half circle, a little larger than the original neckline.

With sharp scissors carefully cut around the line you have drawn, being sure to go through the front and the back of the t-shirt.

Step 5. Line up the armhole seams on both sides, press and pin in place. Carefully cut around the inside of these seams, as close as possible to the original stitching.

Turn the bag right side out, press and it's done!

You now have a funky and unique bag, and in under five minutes! 
Picture
Click here to the Tip Sheet, A Five Minute Funky Shopping Bag

Find all Cheapskates tip sheets here.

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  • Home
  • Join the Club!
    • Twenty Reasons to Join the Cheapskates Club
    • Gift Memberships
  • About Us
    • Cath's Story
    • Ask Cath
    • Glossary of Cheapskating Terms
  • Forum
    • Current Forum Discussions
    • How to Use the Member Forum
  • Inspiration
    • Getting Started
    • Handmade Christmas Central >
      • Handmade Christmas 2025 is about to start
    • 31 Days of MOO Index
    • Articles
    • Back to Basics >
      • Back to Basics
      • Back to Basics Index
    • Housekeeping Routines
    • Budget Renovations
    • Saving Stories
  • SAVING REVOLUTION
    • 2025 Saving Revolution Index
    • Saving Revolution Resources
  • Recipes
    • Recipe File Index
    • Meal Plans
    • Add a Recipe
    • $300 a Month Food Challenge >
      • $300 a Month Food Challenge
      • The $300 a Month Food Challenge Forum
  • Newsletters
    • Newsletters 2025
  • Saving Money
    • Bill Paying System
    • Cheapskates Tip Store
    • Tip Sheets
    • Top Tip Competition
  • Contact
    • Changing Details
    • Help Files