Tutorial: How to Make a Backpack from a T Shirt

I completed a UFO (unfinished object) that has been hanging around my life for the past 10 months. It took about 30 minutes to assemble so I have no clue why it took me so long to finish. It was supposed to be a present for my sisters birthday...in February. Oh well, shes going to be a student of Shorewood High School for at least two more years so theres plenty of time to enjoy it.

On with the tute.

1) Get a tshirt you love and cut a rectangle through front and back. I didnt take exact measurements, but use most of the shirt. It depends how big or small you want the backpack. Also cut two peices the same size from some kind of a lining fabric (jersey knit will stretch like nuts if you put anything of substantial weight in there - ultimately looking wonky and being uncomfortable). I went with the classic stability of cotton.
Save your scraps! You will need them later!

2) With right sides together, sew up the two long sides and one short side of the lining, then do the same for the tshirt.

3) Now you have two "bags". Put them right sides together, one inside the other, and sew along the top edge. But leave a little hole in the hem for turning.

5) Turn the whole deal right side out, stuffing the lining into the bag. Close up the turning hole using a little zigzag stitch or whatever works. Now sew a straight stitch through both the bag and the lining about 1.5 inches from the top.

6) Using the same shirt you cut the rectangles from, lay the scraps out so you can see where the side of the shirt is. Cut two long strips (these should end up twice the length of the shirt because the shoulder seam will keep the front and back connected).

7) either cut a hole near each side seam or just rip the seams on the bag between the top edge and the stitching with a seam ripper- making the holes for your straps. Using a safety pin clipped to the end of one of the strips, thread the strips through the top of the bag - entering and exiting from the same hole. Do the same on the opposite side.
(I put a pocket on the front of this bag - but thats optional)

8) Take the two strings on the left and sew them to the bottom left corner of the bag, leaving about 2 inches of length. Repeat for the right side.

9) tie the two lengths into a nice 'n' pretty bow

10) Pack your bag full of stuff and enjoy!!!