Gather all the supplies and tools you’ll need to get started on this DIY tote.

Lay your shirt flat on the work surface and mark the spots just under the sleeve. Also, measure the length of the bag as per your needs and mark those two spots as well. Use fabric pens to make your markings and also to connect all four dots.

Use sewing pins to secure both the front and back of the shirt in place while you cut the fabric.

Next, take another fabric to use as lining and place your shirt swatch over it, aligning it and pinning both in place. Cut two swatches of lining, both the same size as the outer fabric.

If you’re using a button-down shirt, you will also need to pin the gaps between the buttons and then sew down the length of your fabric to close those buttonholes.

When you’re ready to sew the swatches, go ahead and lay both of the shirt fabrics down with the right sides facing inwards towards each other. Pin them in place.

Repeat the same for the lining as well.

Go ahead and sew both the fabrics, but remember to leave one side to use as the opening for the bag.

Now, turn only the lining fabric pocket out with the right side facing outward. Then, carefully place the shirt fabric inside the lining and align all the ends. Use your hands to smoothen out the insides of the fabric.

Fold the ragged ends of both the lining and the shirt inward and toward the inside of the bag. You need to make sure that the folded ends are neatly aligned and even. Pin the hem in place while you make the shoulder straps.

To make the shoulder straps, cut two strips of cotton webbing, each around 26” long.

Tuck the ends in their appropriate spots between the lining and the shirt fabric. Use pins to hold the strap between the two layers of fabric.

Go ahead and sew your bag on all three sides. When you’re sewing the straps, you can sew the ends in a box-shaped pattern to secure them.

Just turn the bag out, and it’s ready to use!