i guess it's a good idea as long as you don't carry too much crap in it. they're cute, though!

cute idea! very creative! im sure you could line them with something with more strength, or maybe old shirts that aren't as attractive to make them a little stronger. love the idea tho!

probably work best as a beach bag--don't usually have much heavy stuff in there.

There cute but I don't carry around bags much.

I think you're right about it being too stretchy. I've had decent results with taking an old favorite t-shirt, cutting out the design and sewing it to something else, but usually it is sewn onto a stiffer fabric. I think if I were going the DIY route I'd take one of those canvas totes that has a design I don't like and sew my t-shirt patch over it.

lune - That's a really good idea, using them as a beach bag. Most sellers try to market them as reusable shopping bags

crazygothgirl - I don't really carry bags either, but I've been trying to use them when I go shopping instead of the plastic ones most stores give me.

they seem kinda cool

It'd definitely be a fun conversation piece. As for practicality...maybe, maybe not.

I've heard of this before. i don't think they're as cute as a bag but its a great idea =]

whoa these are really cool bags, but yeah i guess i would doubt how great they really are until i actually got to try them. LOL at the geek squad! adn the elmo one is kewl heh my friend has an elmo bag. i really wonder how they would look liek when u have them on tho...

great recycling :)

They are so cute... I love the Elmo one....

@lilheartjl - Honestly, I think they'd probably look like you were carrying a ragged t shirt around, lol.

I just recently heard about these and I think it is a terrific idea. Not sure about the strength, but when I get plastic bags at a grocery store, the strap part ALWAYS rips off. And it looks like there is a wide enough swath of material that the handles would be thick enough. If anything maybe you would want to put a piece of heavy cardboard covered in fabric or plastic to help the bag keep its shape and also help keep it from stretching longer and longer. Lots of the recycling bags I have bought at the stores have that piece of extra covered cardboard for the bottom. And I MUCH prefer tee shirts to the store bags I have bought...they are pretty ugly. One other thing though...the store bags are mesh or full nylon so they don't get wet. I would hate to be carrying six soaked tee shirt bags. GREAT BLOG

@paws72 - Thank you so much for the useful comments :). I tend to have the same problem with plastic bag handles. When I don't want them to break, I have to double bag, and that just makes the problem worse.
I agree with your completely about the store bought reusable bags, except one. I bought a couple from Target, they're bright red with a really cute black and white tree and bird design.
Really good point about the moisture. Ugh... wet t shirts, I'd hate to have to throw my shopping bags in the dryer every time I got back from the store. Here's a thought, since you're already taking your own bags, grab one or two plastic bags to reuse and wrap things like milk and ice cream in them before putting them in the t-shirt bag. When you get home, just put the plastic bag back in the reusable bag so it will always be there when you need it. Or just take one of your store bought bags for those items.

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Suggestion for a better design. Perhaps turn a second t shirt inside out inside it. Then cut and sew together. It'd make them (including the straps) much stronger and less likely to stretch out (as quickly). Could probably even make them reversible.... now I really want to find my missing sewing machine parts

I don't know how well they'd work for heavy-duty stuff, but the idea is fun, and they would hold lighter things fine!

I Bought a bunch of these from Etsy seller zjayne recently. She also has some neat recycled t-shirt clutches and small bags that look like they would be good for makeup and organizing your purse and what not (where the weight won't matter as much). It was a special order for my wedding (bags for out of town guests, attendant gifts, etc.) and it's might take a while, but I'll try to update you if I remember. She was great to work with and t-shirt bags are $4-5 (depending on how many you get) and her cute clutches range from a few dollars(plain) to 14(realy neat custom word/name ransomy looking) and a bunch of neat ones in between....She has new artsy ones which were much more and I'm not so sure about, but I suppose even those could be much more expensive. Now we just have to wait and see.

@porshi - Thank you so much for your input. I'll have to go check out that seller. Since it's taking so long to find my own sewing machine parts, I'm ready to buy one to try it out. You'll definitely have to let us know what you think of them :)

Random thought I just had- You could always use a tougher stiffer bag that doesn't fold/stuff as well to hold these and then use it for your heavier stuff and whatnot.

i was reading seventeen and it showed how to make one. I tried it its nice though!I like the elmo bag.