Cut out 13"w x 15"h from the front and back of the T-shirt.
For the bottom, fold the back hem to cover the front. Here you can also fold 1-1/2 inch in on both sides to create a gusset for the bag.

MAKING A PRODUCE BAG FROM COTTON T-SHIRT

This is for making a produce bag from a donated cotton t-shirt.

  1. Cut out 13″w x 15″h from the front and back of the t-shirt. Ideally, the front is at least 1-1/2″ above the shirt logo, if any. Cut the back of the t-shirt to include the hem at the bottom so that it can fold into the front of the t-shirt. 

  2. Pin the wrong sides of the front and back panels together and sew the
    sides together using a zipzag stitch. You can use reverse stitch at both
    ends instead of tying the threads.

  3. For the bottom, fold the back hem to cover the front. Here you can also
    fold 1-1/2 inch in on both sides to create a gusset for the bag. Pin and
    sew the bottom. 

  4. Make a loop from the sleeve by folding the raw edge into the hem of the
    sleeve. Sew a straight line 1/8″ from the edge. Cut the loop at 6″ long.

  5. Fold the top of the bag down 1/4″ then another 1″. Add the loop to the
    inside left top of the bag by tucking the ends of the loop under the top
    seam. The 2 ends are opened up to make it easy to place on a store
    hook. Pin them together. Sew a straight stitch 1/8″ from the edge.

  6. Sew a box around the 3 other sides of the loop so that it will lay flat.

  7. Turn the bag right side out. Voilà! 

 

Make a loop from the sleeve by folding the raw edge into the hem of the sleeve. Sew a straight line 1/8" from the edge. Cut the loop at 6" long.
Fold the top of the bag down 1/4" then another 1". Add the loop to the inside left top of the bag by tucking the ends of the loop under the top seam. The 2 ends are opened up to make it easy to place on a store hook. Pin them together. Sew a straight stitch 1/8" from the edge.