You’ve all seen them — reusable market bags are everywhere. Every time I’m standing in line at a checkout counter, there they are: reusable bags emblazoned with the store’s logo.

This past weekend I met a woman that has a reusable bag in every color so her bag matches her outfit — hey, whatever works. Truth be told, to bring all my weekly groceries home in reusable bags, I’d need at least 10 bags. That could be $100 just on the cost of bags.

But if you’re up for DIY-ing, you can reuse old t-shirts to make your own bags for almost nothing.

No need to buy reusable bags to take to the stores and markets — just repurpose a few old t-shirts, and you’ll be shopping green in a flash. Here’s how you do it.

Super-Simple Market Bag

Materials:

  • A sewing machine
  • Scissors
  • T-shirts still in good shape

Directions:

  1. Turn your t-shirt inside-out and lay it on a flat surface.
  2. Cut off the sleeves, keeping the seams intact (for strength).
  3. Cut the neckline an inch or two wider, depending on its original size.
  4. Pin the bottom edges of the shirt together, then sew closed.
  5. Remove the pins, then flip out your t-shirt right-side in.

It’s no longer a t-shirt, it’s a one-of-a-kind reusable bag. Happy shopping!