Turn Old Sports Gear into a Stylish Eco-Friendly Shopping Bag

Upcycling Kids' Old Cricket Pants into a Durable Grocery Bag

The Simple one!

Carrying your own reusable bag is one of the easiest ways to eliminate single-use plastic bags. Heavy fabrics like denim or white cricket kit pants are ideal for upcycling because they are sturdy, durable, and maintain their shape without needing a lining.

An old cricket kit pants ( any paints) can yield 2,3 or even more bags depending upon the size. I have made many a grocery bag from an old pair of jeans and cricket pants. I made this bag out of an old pair of white cricket pants my son had outgrown.

The final look: A sturdy, eco-friendly grocery bag made from upcycled white cricket pants.

To make this simple tote, start by removing the side pockets and cutting the fabric to your desired bag length. Take advantage of the pre-existing seams on the trousers to minimize your sewing work. Once the fabric pieces are cut, sew the bottom and side seams securely—stitching over them two or three times for extra strength to handle heavy groceries. Attach metal or sturdy fabric handles at the top hem

First, see and confirm that,

You have a few cricket kit (cricket paint and shirt) i.e. white cricket pants laying around? Any size will do!

I have a lot as it got spoiled at one wear,and needs wash…..wash and wash….. While my son used to play cricket in his school days. He had several (3-4) pairs of cricket kits. It was very tough to maintain their whitness,and he used to need them in perfect white!

The starting material: Old white cricket trousers waiting for a second life.

Any how? Here’s your chance to turn your son’s old white cricket pant into a super cool grocery bag for you and your family.

You’ll need:

One pair of white cricket pants

Steel/aluminum/ any matel handles

( straps/handles of same material will also do)

Thread!

Cut your pieces:

Step 1: Carefully remove the side pockets (marked A and B)

First, remove the pockets from both the sides as shown in the picture from A and B.

Step 2: Mark your desired length across the crotch section and cut the fabric pieces.

Second, mark where (see the picture above) you want to cut your fabric, and make sure how much grocery you have to accommodate in your bag!

Cut across the crotch section (like you’re making shorts) as per your desire for the length of the bag. Cut your pieces from the white pants for the bag. i.e. cut along the marks you made. Since I cut the crotch section , I have two pieces of front and back for the bag (cut two pieces 16 inches wide by 20 inches tall). Open up the fabric. Sew the pocket holes.

Right away you’ll notice one great thing about making a grocery bag out of your old clothes----you won’t have to sew very much, because you can take advantage of the seams that are already there. As I cut this bag out the upper of the pants, so I sewed the bottom and the two sides of the bag. If you used bottom of the leg, and the bottom hem of the leg became the top of your bag, you would only have to sew one seam!

I chose to include the side seam towards the centre of the fabric, but you can place it wherever works for your particular pair of paints. Then you have to hem for the upper portion of the bag.

Attaching sturdy metal handles to the top hem for heavy-duty use

Here in mine, I used the finished upper portions of the paints (removed its elastic string).

Turn your material inside out and attaché handles on to the bag! Sew the handles or straps on wrong sides using fabric pieces. I went back and forth a few times for extra strength. I was expecting this bag to get some heavy outdoor use also.

I attached metal handles on both the sides using fabric from same pants, on the upper hem of the paints (see the picture above). You could also make a strap for handles with the same fabric or out of any old ribbon woven tape you have in your stash.

Since there is no pattern for this project, you don’t need to worry about the straps or size, make your own and use your excretion.

Now you have finished front and back portions of the bag with attached handles on the upper hem.

Place your two pieces right sides together. Sew together using a ½ inches seam allowance, leaving the space between your two makings with matel handles open ( I triple sewed mine for extra strength).

Turn bag right side out through the top edge of the bag.

You are done!

There is a lots of options for this bag. You can decorate your finished bag by sewing on patches, sticking on your favorite pins, embroidering them, add readymade appliqué design on the front side or both sides of the bag, or a patch of colorful fabric or anything else you can think of. You can also use 3D fabric flowers.

Can made pockets with zipper inside or for outside of the bag, there are several ways this is the basic simple pattern. I like white color a lot! And simple pattern!

And it’s it!

Then hold in your hands move for grocery shop!

Different angles showcasing the finished upcycled tote bag.

Finally, feel free to personalize your bag with fabric patches, embroidery, or 3D flowers. It’s a rewarding weekend project that turns forgotten clothing into a practical, eco-friendly accessory

xoxo