How to Make a Market Bag from an Old Shirt

Learn how to make a market bag from an old thrifted button down shirt for those weekend trips to the farmer’s market.

I’m always looking for ways to upcycle or breathe new life into items in my home or ones I find at the thrift store. Weather that be turning old bedsheets into a rug, refinishing a beat up old desk or simply cutting up stained t-shirts into dust rags. It makes me feel good to extend the lives of these items and keep them out of the landfill. I recently got the idea from a friend to turn an old shirt into a market bag and thought it was genius! Over the winter, I had turned several old thrifted table cloths into market bags that I sold at Christmas markets, but I was really excited to give this idea a try.

So I headed to the thrift store and began scouring the racks to find the perfect shirt. I really wanted to find something that was striped, something that looked a little rustic or farmhouse. I came across this beautiful light blue and white striped button down and thought it was perfect. It was in a bit of rough shape with a stain on the sleeve and some yellowing on the front, but I knew I could clean it up easily. As I stared at this shirt, it made me think about who might’ve owned this before. It appeared to be a men’s shirt and felt like the type of shirt a cowboy would wear. I knew I could make this button down into something brand new, while still keeping the essence of it all.

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How to Make a Market Tote Bag from an Old Shirt

Tools You May Need:

Materials Needed:

1 old shirt
Coordinating thread

Directions

Wash and dry the shirt, especially if it’s thrifted.

Cutting the Shirt

Lay the shirt out flat on a hard surface, smoothing out any wrinkles, then pin the pieces together, then cut the shirt across the middle. Since my shirt had a pocket, I cut under the pocket.

Unpin the fabric, turn it inside out and pin the fabric right sides together, then cut the sides so the final bottom piece measures 18 inches wide by 15 inches long. See notes for alternatives.

Cut the bottom hems to match up with each other, especially if the back of the shirt is longer than the front.

Next, cut out two strips from the remaining parts of the shirt, the back and sleeves, that measure 4 inches wide by 26 inches long. If the shirt isn’t big enough to accommodate the length, 26 inches, cut a total of four strips at 4 inches wide that equal 26 inches or more in length all together.

Sewing the Body of the Bag

For the body or main portion of the market bag, starting on the top right edge of the bag, sew a 1/2 inch seam along the right side, bottom and left, making sure to forward and backward stitch at the beginning and end. Then sew another seam at 1/4 inch to reinforce the sides and bottom (optional).

Use pinking shears to trim the sides to limit fraying.

For the opening of the bag, starting by folding the edge down 1/2 inch and pressing it, all the way around the opening, with an iron.

Fold the fabric down again to 3/4 inches, press and pin the hem. Hem the top of the bag by lining the inside of the presser foot up with the inside of the fold and sewing all the way around.

Since this thrifted shirt was a button-up, I also sewed along both sides of the button to ensure there were no gaps in the bag.

Sewing the Straps

Sew two of the four strips of fabric together along the short sides using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Repeat this for the remaining two strips, then measure from the seam to the right 13 inches and cut, then from the seam to the left 13 inches and cut. Repeat this again for the other strip. You should now have two strips that are 4 inches wide by 26 inches long.

Fold one long side of the strip up 3/4 inches and press, followed by the second long side. Optional: Fold the two short ends up 1/4 inch and press.

Fold the strip in half along the middle, lining the two long sides up and pinning along the opening.

Sew all the way around the strip using 1/4 inch seam allowance, then repeat with other strap.

Assembling the Market Bag

Lay the main part of the bag, still inside out, on a flat surface, then measure across and find the center.

Measure two inches to the right of the center and line the left side of one strap with that mark and pin in place. Repeat this for the other side. The ends of the strap should measure 4 inches apart. Flip the bag over and repeat the process with the other strap.

Sew along the top of the bag using a 1/2 inch hem, then sew a square around the bottom of the straps to further secure them to the bag.

Flip the bag right side out and enjoy!

Notes

I recommend using a shirt that is at least a size large to ensure there is enough fabric to make a bag.
Heavier weighted fabric will create a sturdier bag.
Always do a forward and backward stitch at the beginning and end when you sew.
Adjust the size of the main body of the bag for your preferences. If your shirt allows, you can make the market bag taller and thinner or shorter and wider. Just make sure you have enough fabric leftover to make the straps.

Looking for more easy sewing tutorials?

Looking for more easy sewing tutorials like this upcycled market bag? Check these out:

Did you try making this market bag? If you did, I’d really love to see it. Tag me on Instagram (@thesimplehomeplace) to show me your own recreation of this tutorial!

How to Make a Market Bag from an Old Shirt

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