Last weekend I traveled to Nacogdoches, Texas, to attend the 23rd annual Texas Blueberry Festival. The festival fills the oldest town in Texas with visitors and vendors for a day of hometown fun for the kids, and there are so many unusual sights to see. Fresh local blueberries are sold by the truck load, and people come from all over to celebrate the little berry.
I was out early enough to catch some of the entrants in the pet parade this year, among them this fluffy blue dog.
I believe this goat is wearing blueberries.
My grandson Landon headed straight for the kids’ area where he kept cool on the water slide and with lots of other fun activities.
I cut the sleeves off the shirt, then used a place mat to measure about how big my tote should be. I allowed for seams and also some extra height. I planned to add some ribbon around the top of the bag for stability. I cut the back and front separate because I wanted to preserve the logo on the back for a pocket.
I then stitched wide ribbon across the top of the tote bag over the hem. To make the pocket on the back, I cut out a rectangular piece from the T-shirt back that was 6 x 9 1/2 inches.
I matched the center back of the tote to the center of the pocket for placement, then stitched the pocket to the upper back of the tote. The next step is to add the handles, and those directions can be found here.
Finally, I stitched the tote together at the sides and the bottom, then matched the side seam to the bottom seam and stitched across about 2 inches down from the point. This has to be done on both sides to give the tote shape on the bottom.
Anita, it sounds like the festival was lots of fun. That toe looked like it had gotten a pedicure and some pretty polish. Heehee. I spotted it in the photo right away and thought that was funny. Your grandson seemed to be having fun on the water slide. The animals looked cute . The dog with the birthday hat and pretty colored scarf was my favorite. Don't care much for blue dogs.
You are a very clever lady to come up with a tote bag from a tee shirt. I am amazed at how nice it is. The purple polka dots were the perfect addition. Love it!——— Shannon
I love it, how clever! The polka dot ribbon goes great with it too! Sounds like you had a fun day, the little blue pup is a cutie:@)
You should pitch the tote bag design to the festival's marketing group!
This is brilliant! I have a few souvenir t-shirts which I never wear and now I know what to do with them 🙂 The festival looked like so much fun.
This is such a fantastic idea!
You my friend are very talented. You make it look so easy. Keep in mind, I struggle with mending.
Please come on over and pick up your award which you do deserve. If I already told you, ignore this and come on over, anyway.
I can't believe you did that with a T shirt…it's awesome!
What an amazing idea!! -Marci
What a cute idea, Anita! You're the Blueberry Queen!
Darling! Like you…I love some of the t-shirts but I don't wear them. I love your idea! My only problem is I've tried sewing knits before and it balls up the thread…I must be doing something wrong. Do I need a serger or a special machine? I love the purple polka dots too! How long did it take you to drive to Texas? What a fun event that looked like! You did bring home gobs of blueberries I hope?!?!
Anita,
Thanks for coming to the Texas Blueberry Festival. Your tote bag is certainly a creative interpretation of the famous festival shirt. If you'll send me a mailing address, I will send you some past year's shirts for your artistic renovation.
All the best,
Bruce Partain
President/CEO
Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce
That came out great!
Wow, this is such a cute & GREAT idea!
Love this idea!! I have so many souvenier t-shirts I could do this with!! Pinning!
This is a fabulous idea!!! I will certainly remember this. I am a bag lady!
Cute tote and a great idea!
Congratulations your post is being featured at tonights party and your blog is being featured for the week @ CountryMommaCooks…thanks for linking up : )
That's my hometown! We sure do love our blueberries!
Hi Grace, I sure do love blueberries too, and I love visiting Nac when I can. I missed the festival this year, but I hope to make the next one.