Recycle, up-cycle, relove.
This quote summarises my mother’s philosophy: she didn’t throw away anything and gave value even to the smallest things thinking that one day they could be useful and turn into something new and beautiful.
I am not very different from my mother: I accumulate stuff (fabric, old clothes, buttons, ribbons, yarn…) thinking that one day I can use it. Today it is the case of an old pink t-shirt turned into a cute and eco-friendly handbag!
I share how I made a cat-shaped one, perfect as a present for young girls.
How to make
You will need
- XL plain t-shirt
- buttons
- scrap of fabric for the lining
- 4 small metal rings
- coloured cotton yarn for the accessories
Tools
- hook 9 mm for the bag
- hook n. 4 for the accessories
- scissors
- sewing machine
- needle and threads
Directions
Choose a T-shirt, possibly XL, and say goodbye to it! Make the T-shirt yarn (or fettuccia, in Italian) out of it: unstitch the hem, cut the T-shirt into stripes, first longitudinally and then diagonally (follow the dotted lines). You will get a very long strip.
Stretch it and roll the strip into a ball.
A tiny bag is shaped by crocheting: start from a chain of 12, then single crochet in round until the desired shape (6 rows in total). For the ears, crochet 3 sc each side.
The accessories – cat nose, flower, one of the strings of the strap – are crocheted too. Weave the strap and attach it to the bag through metal rings. Sew the buttons, two as eyes, one as a flower centre.
Cut the lining, sew it with sewing machine and hand-stitch it to the bag to complete your make.
You can add a closing system, such as a button, a zip or a clip.
Here is the final result! Do you like it?
I made a lot of kittens, some puppies, owls, and also a calf and a fox!
I create bags non only for children, but also elegant purses and everyday handbags for women. You can see all of them in the Facebook page Tuccia Creations.
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Crafty Messy Mom 