Make me a Mix Tape
A few weeks ago I saw this giant sized tshirt on clearance at Old Navy. It was $2 and as soon as I saw it I knew that it would make a perfect purse. I found the turquise polkadot lining on clearance for I think $3.50 at the end of the summer. And after I washed the polkadots with a load of darks (they were incredibly white next to that black shirt!) to gray them up a bit I started cutting things apart.
I added gussets in the bottom to help give it a little shape. And there are two interior polka dotted pockets, and one big pocket on the back made from the cut up sleeves of the tshirt.
I found a strip of velcro in my sewing box that was exactly the right length to keep it closed. And then I started to wonder when I had purchased black velcro. Well, I never have. When we got married I took over Scotts mini sewing kit. That little strip of velcro was leftover from a highschool sewing project of his. When he was 17 years old he made a full on ski jacket complete with zippers and velcro hood and drawstrings and goretex lining and everything. And this week, 13 years later, I used up the last of his velcro.
On this purse I tried my hand at exposed and raw edge seams… I don’t think I much like it. On this 80’s inspired grunge looking project I actually really like how the end product looks. But getting to that point created all sorts of internal drama. I don’t know why, but it was so hard for me to turn my sewing mind inside out as I made up the pattern for this purse. In my mind I kept sewing the raw edges inside, and then I’d get all confused with my self. I’ll blame it on sewing at midnight. I lined the bag with a thick fusible fleece, so it almost feels like it’s made of a sweatshirt instead of a tshirt. And I think that make it more winterlike. (Smiles to self.) It’s large enough to fit my very biggest art journal inside, or any number of my notebooks from my ever growing stack.
[ Mixtape pouch from Brave Moonman. OK, Seriously? His stuff is to die for adorable. ]
And now I kind of think I need one of these mixtape coinpurses to go inside… It only seems fitting. I’m adding this project to Sew+Tell at Amy’s. Happy Weekend!
pinksuedeshoe 
seriously cool bag. I had one of those huge boom boxes. I must have that T-shirt. Old Navy here I come.
Now all you need is John Cusack standing outside your window, boombox on shoulder, proclaiming his never-ending love for me…er, I mean you. 😉
xox
Pink,
There is no end to your creative amazingness! And oh. my. heck! That little coin purse is so perfect! What a great project! I totally laughed at you greying up your white polka dot fabric. You are too cute.
Hope you’re having a fabulous time in Houston (or is that a secret?).
xo -E
What a wicked bag! My husband actually wooed me over in our final year of university with the most amazing mixed tape of music I knew nothing about, but absolutely loved. . Thanks for bringing that back for me! I need to find that tape….then a tape player.
I’ve got some serious love for this bag… nice catch on the shirt! And those felt bags that guy makes, shoot… they are awesome too!
Oh my gosh, SO COOL! Wow, I’d never thought of using a giant t-shirt to make a bag, but what a great idea…your bag is awesome, just my style! I’ll have to keep it in mind next time I’m clearance shopping. Awesome, just awesome. 🙂
The Old Navy sales are the best and there are always a ton of the extra large shirts left over. I’m always trying to figure out what I can do with them (since I’m definately not and extra large… yet) but they are only a buck or two. Now I’ll be keeping my eye open a little more on what’s on them. Excellent job!
That’s so cute I could die. Really. I love how clever you are. You continue to amaze me with your brilliance:-)
Fantastic project! I love it! It brings back memories of when my brother and I received matching “boom boxes” for Christmas in the 80s! You simply MUST make the coin purse to go with this fun bag. It’s so perfect! Thanks for sharing.
I just can’t get this bag out of my mind. I need to make this. Will there be a tutorial? Is this one continuous piece on the front (and one on the back), or did you piece the straps? I’m so knocking this off, girlfriend.