I work in a satellite office for the second largest uni in my state. I wind-up attending two Christmas parties as a result--local office and main office. Both hold a "White Elephant" Yankee Swap. You are not supposed to spend any money on the gift you wrap to exchange. Instead, you regift something you don't want. That's super if you have crap to get rid of. After doing this for more than a decade I've purged most of the crap from The Squirrels' Nest, except for a bunch of old, ratty work shirts worn out at the collars and the ends of the sleeves.

Well, I've got basic sewing skills. Enough that if I wanted to fursuit, I could make my own suit minus the head. But that's a different topic. So, I've taken a few of those ratty shirts and upcycled'em into grocery bags. The squirrels insisted on "Playing Vanna" and help show-off one of the three I made this weekend (two for the above mentioned parties, and probably one to do at my brother's party with a grocery gift card with a note to use the card to fill the bag). The resulting bag is roughly 14 inches wide, 12 inches tall and 12 inches deep (35x30x30cm).

I sewed the button front closed and made sure to salvage the pocket section for each bag. In this case, the brand tag was still in the collar (Dockers this time), so I also incorporated that into the handles. I also make a version of these from worn-out work pants and jeans where, again, I work in one pocket. I get a lot of comments/praise at the grocery store with these bags.