Mary Davis is here with a fun break in the form of a summer craft! Taking the time to have celebrate life and create (or create something new from the old) is another important way of honoring the Ultimate Creator–God Himself. Enjoy, and thank you again to Mary Davis for this guide to something inventive and useful!
Do you have an old T-shirt or two in your closet you don’t wear for one reason or another? Before you throw it away or send it off to the thrift store, STOP! Click To TweetDo you have an old T-shirt or two in your closet you don’t wear for one reason or another? Before you throw it away or send it off to the thrift store, STOP! Give it a second life.
In the greater metropolitan area I live in, more and more of the towns are passing laws requiring stores to charge a bag fee of five to ten cents, depending on if you choose paper or plastic. Some are on their way to banning plastic bags altogether. I believe these laws are designed to reduce the amount of plastic being thrown away. This craft helps reduce what would normally be tossed into landfills. A win/win.
Supplies:
- A T-shirt with set-in sleeves (a seam that runs across the top of the shoulder from the neck opening to the top of the shoulder—NOT a raglan sleeve where the seam runs from the neck opening to the armpit) A standard T-shirt is made out of a double-knit fabric that doesn’t run when cut as nylons would.
- Fabric scissors
- A ruler
Step 1:
Lay out the shirt with the front and back hems even. Trim off hem, cutting through both layers. Set aside to use later.
Step 2:
Measure up 3” from the bottom. Put a ruler, piece of paper, or masking tape to mark the 3” point. At one inch intervals, cut from the bottom up to your 3” mark all the way across the bottom. Cut up the side seam or fold three inches, and remove seam if there is one.
Step 3:
Without moving the T-shirt much, tie the first set of strips together (one front and one back) into a square knot. Pull these pretty tight to reduce holes. Repeat with one front and one back all the way across.
Step 4:
Trim off neck opening, cutting through both layers.
Step 5:
Cut off sleeves. Make a small snip in the armpit on the body of the T-shirt, then cutting one layer at a time around the armhole. I found it a little hard to line up the front and back sleeve seams to cut both layer at once.
Optional:
Step 6:
Take the hem piece that was trimmed off and cut it in half. Tie into a bow around the top of shoulder straps.
A tank top can be used. Here is a pretty lace one. I love it!
A caution about using tanks though. Because the shoulder areas are narrower, choose one with a wide strap so when cut, it won’t be too narrow. Or pick one with large neck and armhole openings, as I did, so you don’t have to cut the neck or sleeve openings.
If you don’t want fringe at the bottom, start with the T-shirt turned inside out. Trim off the hem and tie as directed above. Turn right side out and trim off the neck ribbing and sleeves as before.
I love my “designer” totes. Click To TweetI love my “designer” totes. Different weights of T-shirt fabric will determine the strength of the bag. I wouldn’t carry a gallon of milk in one of these bags, but I have put several can goods in one. They are great for beach totes or carrying craft supplies.
If you make one, I’d love for you to post a picture of it in the comments.
I’ll be giving away the coral T-shirt Tote made in this post. Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. Giveaway closes July 30, 2019 at midnight Pacific time zone. Winner to be drawn on July 31, 2019.
I’ll be giving away the coral T-shirt Tote made in this post. Click To Tweet
“Bygones” Texas, 1884 in THIMBLES AND THREADS
Drawn to the new orphan boy in town, Tilly Rockford soon became the unfortunate victim of a lot of Orion Dunbar’s mischievous deeds in school. Can Tilly figure out how to truly forgive the one who made her childhood unbearable? Can this deviant orphan-train boy turned man make up for the misdeeds of his youth and win Tilly’s heart before another man steals her away?
MARY DAVIS is a bestselling, award-winning novelist of over thirty titles in both historical and contemporary themes. Her recent releases include; “Holly and Ivy” in A Bouquet of Brides Collection, The PRODIGAL DAUGHTERS Series, The Widow’s Plight, “Zola’s Cross-Country Adventure” in The MISSAdventure Brides Collection, The Daughter’s Predicament, and “Bygones” in Thimbles and Threads. She’s an ACFW member and in critique groups. Mary lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband of nearly thirty-five years and two cats. She has three adult children and two adorable grandchildren.
Find Her: Newsletter | Blog | FB | FB Readers Group | Amazon | GoodReads | BookBub
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Mary Davis