How to Make Reusable Shopping Bags From Old Fabric at Home

You know that pile of old t-shirts you’ve been meaning to deal with for six months? And that bedsheet that’s too frayed to donate but feels wrong to just throw away? Turns out, they can become genuinely useful reusable shopping bags — no sewing machine needed for the simplest version, and the whole thing takes under an hour. Here’s how I do it.

The No-Sew T-Shirt Bag

All you need is a pair of scissors. Flip the shirt inside out, cut off both sleeves, then cut a deep U-shape along the neckline — that’s your handle opening right there. Along the bottom hem, cut two-inch fringe strips all the way across. Then tie each pair of strips together tightly to close up the bottom. Flip it right-side out and you’re done. I actually made my first one last winter while watching TV, and I was genuinely surprised how much it holds — a full bag of produce, no problem, and it cost me exactly nothing.

The Simple Sewn Bag

If you do have a sewing machine (or even just patience and a needle and thread), this version holds up even better. Cut two fabric rectangles about 15 by 17 inches, then cut two handle strips at roughly 3 by 22 inches. Fold and sew each handle strip lengthwise so it’s sturdy, then sew the two bag pieces together along three sides — leave the top open, obviously. Attach the handles to the inside top edges and turn it right-side out. My husband was skeptical the first one I made would last, and that was two years ago. Still going strong.

Best Fabrics to Use

Canvas, denim, and sturdy upholstery cotton are your best bets for anything carrying real grocery weight. Old jeans are honestly incredible for this — I cut up a pair that had blown out at the knees and made two bags that are basically indestructible. Lighter fabrics like old t-shirt material are perfect for produce bags, where you don’t need much structure. One thing to avoid: stretchy knit fabrics for grocery bags. They sag under weight and kind of defeat the purpose.

How to Make Produce Bags

Cut a rectangle of lightweight cotton or mesh — something like an old pillowcase or a sheer curtain works great — about 12 by 14 inches. Fold it in half, sew the sides and bottom, and leave the top open. Then fold the top edge over and sew a little casing so you can thread a ribbon or cord through as a drawstring. This one surprised me because cashiers at my grocery store actually prefer these over the plastic bags — they can see right through them to check what’s inside.

Making a Set for the Whole Household

For a typical grocery run, you’re probably looking at five to eight large bags and eight to ten produce bags to cover everything comfortably. An afternoon of cutting and sewing through your fabric scraps and worn-out clothes can get you a complete set at pretty much zero cost. I did this with my daughter on a rainy Saturday — she picked out which old shirts to use and decorated one with fabric markers. Honestly? One of the better afternoons we’ve had in a while.

Final Thoughts

Start with the no-sew t-shirt version. Seriously — grab a shirt you were about to toss, spend fifteen minutes on it, and see what you think. What gets me is how that one small project changes the way you see old fabric. I now look at every worn-out tablecloth and pair of old curtains and think, “that’s four bags right there.” It’s a weird little shift, but a good one.