Make No Sew Tie Dye Tote Bags ~ Real Summer of Fun

How about if we have some crafty fun with our kids today?! Sounds fun to me! Today, I’ve got another idea for you today that is part of my Real Summer of Fun series. Let’s have some fun getting crafty and making some no sew tie dye tote bags.

My friend and fellow blogger Rachel from Architecture of a Mom is here today to give us all the details on how to make these cute bags.

My girls made something very similar with our Girl Scout troop this year and had a lot of fun making these bags.

Don’t forget… we are not going to let this summer go to waste or let it being boring for us or our kids. Check out all of the great Real Summer of Fun ideas, I think you are going to like them. 🙂

Hi Real Coake Friends! I’m Rachel from Architecture of a Mom.  I blog about DIY and craft projects, recipes, and family (especially my 3 girls, who include twin preschoolers), all the while adding my perspective as a registered architect to my designs!

Today, I want to share with you how to make a fun tie-dyed shirt and then upcycle it into a no-sew bag that’s perfect to tote a change of clothes to the beach, splash pad, or pool this summer!

Honestly, you can do this with a favorite t-shirt that you no longer wish to wear, but my girls love tie-dye, and I think it’s so fun and summery!

Supplies:

• 1 adult large white t-shirt (already washed–don’t use fabric softener) – should be damp
• Tie-Dye Kit (Includes dye, rubber bands, and gloves) (affiliate link)
• Gallon size ziplock bags
• Scissors
• Small safety-pin

Following the instructions on the tie dye package, dye your shirts with your desired pattern. We made a spiral pattern for 2  of our shirts and one was crumpled with ice (see below). After we dyed the shirts, we put them in zip lock bags and let them sit for at least 48 hours. This allows the dye to penetrate the shirts and makes the color more intense.

Launder the shirts to remove excess dye, and dry well.

Fold each shirt in half, matching up the shoulder seams.

Cut off the sleeves at the seam. Cut off the collar just below the edge of the collar. I cut one more, but it’s always best to cut off the least amount first and then cut more later if you want the opening bigger. The arm holes are your handles and the neck hole is now the top of your bag.  Keep the sleeves that you cut out.

Now you need to close up the bottom of the bag. You could sew it closed, but my girls aren’t quite ready to use my sewing machine, so we went no-sew. It’s actually quite easy.

Lay the shirt flat and cut a small slit at each side of the bottom hem of the shirt. Take the sleeves and cut a long strip approximately a half-inch wide and at least 24 inches long (you can google how to make t-shirt yarn). Take the safety-pin and pin it to the end of the strip. Run the strip inside the bottom hem of the shirt, from one slit to the other and pull tight (you will have one half of the hem gathered up. Tie as tightly as you can and double knot. Trim the strip. Repeat for the other side of the shirt. You will have some of the t-shirt strip remaining.

You can stop here, but you will have 2 little holes in the bottom of the bag. If you want to get rid of those holes, turn the bag wrong side out, take the two gathered pieces, and wrap the remaining length of t-shirt strip at the base of both gathered areas and double knot. Trim and turn back rightist out.

And there you have it! A no-sew bag that is perfect to tote extra clothes for water day at school, or perhaps toys down to the beach.

Want more no-sew tie dye inspiration? You should check out my Matching Tie Dye Dresses for little girls & their 18” dolls (like American Girl) as well as my No-Sew Tie Dye Pillows!  I hope you’ll stop by and visit me.

Thanks KC for letting me share this little project with your readers!

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