DIY: Make a Reusable Gift Bag from an Upcycled Shirt

The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes the joy of giving. I love making the gifts that I give - not only are handmade gifts incredibly thoughtful and one-of-a-kind, they are also often more sustainable than the mass-produced options. When we make gifts, we often put more consideration into the materials we're using, and make a conscious effort to upcycle items - plus, we can be picky about how we wrap them!

So whilst we are making our gifts for the season, why not go the extra mile and embrace sustainability and creativity in our holiday wrapping, too? In this post, I’ll show you how to upcycle an old shirt into a charming reusable bag, perfect for gifting (or personal use)! Plus, you’ll get to practice your sashiko-style stitching—inspired by the traditional Japanese embroidery technique that adds beauty and durability to fabric.

If you prefer to read the directions rather than watch the video, you can find the written instructions below.

 Materials Needed:

• an old shirt
• scissors
• fabric marker
• sewing needle
• sewing cotton (I like to use quilters cotton because it is nicer to sew with)
• safety pins
• cord or ribbon (I used a bit of knitted tshirt fabric)
• sashiko needle
• sashiko thread
• a circular object to trace around (I used a roll of painters tape)
• a ruler or straight edge

Step 1: Choose Your Shirt

Pick an old button-up shirt from your wardrobe or thrift store. Look for sturdy fabric that can hold its shape when turned into a bag. Plain or patterned shirts will work equally well, and the buttons will add a unique touch.

Step 2: Modifying Your Shirt

If your shirt has a pocket, you'll want to remove that with a quick unpick/seam ripper before we get started - they tend to land right in the area we want to cut through, and by removing it first, we can hold onto it for a future project.

We're also going to remove the arms and shoulders from our shirt, because it's the more rectangular-shaped bottom that we're going to us. You can do this by drawing a line from one underarm to the other and cutting across.

Step 3: Sew the Shirt Closed

• Seal the Buttons: With the shirt button, use sewing thread to stitch along the placket so the front of the shirt stays securely closed. I used a whipstitch for this, or you could use a sewing machine if you prefer. This will become one side of your bag.
• Close the Bottom: Turn the shirt inside out and pin the bottom seams together. Sew along the hem at the bottom to seal it shut. I used a backstitch here for durability, but again, a sewing machine could be used if you prefer it.

Step 4: Create the Drawstring Top

• Create a Band: At the top of our shirt, we're going to fold the fabric over to create a casing for our drawstring. To do this, fold the edge over by about 1/4" or 1/2cm and press:

Then, fold over the folded over edge by about 1.5" or 3.5cm and press and pin in place:

Then whipstitch or machine sew around the bottom of the folded edge to secure it. I'm not worried about leaving a space for my cord, because I have a button here that I'll remove to thread the cord through:

• Insert the Cord: Thread your cord or ribbon through the casing to create a drawstring closure. A safety pin attached to the end of the cord can make this step easier!

Step 5: Embellish with Sashiko

This is where the fun begins! Use sashiko stitching to add decorative patterns to your bag. You can outline existing shirt details, create geometric designs, or stitch motifs that celebrate the season. Not only will this strengthen the fabric, but it will also turn your bag into a piece of art.

I chose to trace a few circles onto the shirt, and then used a ruler to draw intersecting lines through each:

By tracing the lines up to the circle shape but not outlining the circle itself, I ended up with these lovely star or snowflake shapes.

Enjoy or Gift!

Your reusable bag is now ready to use! Whether you keep it for yourself or gift it to a friend, this upcycled creation embodies sustainability and the spirit of the season. Fill it with goodies for a sustainable gift bag that keeps on giving!

Why Upcycling & Handmade Matters

There is something really special about making the gifts you give, isn't there? Showing someone that you considered them, stitching love and well-wishes into every seam. Plus, making our gifts using upcycled elements is a step toward reducing waste and living more sustainably. By repurposing old garments, you save them from the landfill and give them a second life!

When you gift an upcycled item, you’re sharing not just the product but also a story—a story of care, craft, and sustainability.

This holiday season, embrace the joy of creating and giving sustainably. Let your stitches tell a story, and let your gifts inspire others to see the beauty in our ordinary things.