I needed a backpack purse for summer. I prefer this type of bag for outings like the zoo, festivals, etc. I made everything from stash except the strap clips.
Here is the shirt I used for most of the bag.
I found several of these huge safety pins at a thrift store and knew I had to use one for the closure.
Here is an in-progress shot of the inside pocket. I used both cuffs to make a smaller pocket.
This is absolutely fabulous. I LOVE how you used the cuffs for the inside pocket, and I can see the button holes on the back loops…such fun nods to the shirt’s previous life. Love the patchwork and all that stitching, wow! I bet you’ll get a ton of compliments on it when you’re out and about this summer!
This is absolutely amazing! What a great way to resuse an old shirt and turn it into something beautiful! Fabulous, my friend!
Ahhh I love this idea for a closure, I will have to keep it in mind (I’m planning a new summer bag too, woot). Does it seem fiddly or pretty quick/simple to adjust each time? Great job on the bag, hope you get lots of joy and use out of it!
The pin is not fiddly at all. I need to stitch the straps down. I do not like how the straps move every time I pick them up.
Do the straps move so that you can wear it as a shoulder/crossbody purse? That’s what I did on a bag I made–the straps move around but I like being able to wear it differently
That is a smart way to do it. I did not add loops to make it cross body. I probably should have.
This is amazing! I love how you were able to reuse so much, and we’re able to feature beautiful little bits of fabric.
A true UPcycle - your bag is way better than a logo workshirt!
Very, very cool!
Fan-frikken-tastic! I’d want to wear this on the front so I could see it all the time, lol.
From the other convo about your jacket, I like how the lightest stitches show up the most. The contrast of light, dark, and blendy-similar tone/value is very cool though, makes the eye want to look closer. Beautiful work.
CONGRATULATIONS! Your beautiful craft is one of this week’s Featured Projects!
Thank you for pointing that out. I think I found new fabrics(I will post them later). Once they arrive I am going to test yellow and white with regular embroidery thread before ordering sashiko thread.
This is so fun. I love all the different fabrics.
What an amazing transformation! I love that you took something you found ‘hideous’ and lovingly created a completely new and different item from it. The patchwork gives it such a fun and colorful look and the stitching is a visual treat! The cuff pocket is super creative and I really like the vintage safety pin closure! I hope you get a lot of use out of it this summer and that it brings a smile to your face each time you take it out!
I don’t know what I can say that hasn’t already been said! You combined all of the various bits in such a beautiful way! Such gorgeous bag!
I love this! It’s also giving me ideas for all of the shirts I stole from my fathers house after he passed. I’ve been holding onto them so I could turn them into something.
Oh, that would be such a special way to use his shirt. I love that idea. 
