https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/turn-denim-jeans-into-a-denim-bag • Posted by Jinx
A great way to upcycle old jeans so you can use them for something new. When you're on vacation during the summer or just need a durable bag that isn't big/bulky, you can make one!
A great way to upcycle old jeans so you can use them for something new. When you're on vacation during the summer or just need a durable bag that isn't big/bulky, you can make one!
Gather your materials: Old pants, Old shirt or scrap fabric, Fabric scissors, Sewing needle & thread or sewing machine
Cut the pants legs off your old jeans.
Now you have a short denim skirt or shorts. Put the pants leg fabric off to the side for making your bag strap later.
Turn your denim shorts/skirt inside out.
Sew the cut edges of the denim together.
Flip the bag inside out again to show its exterior.
Now you can start making the bag handle/shoulder strap. This is what the pants legs were cut off for.
If you want to use every part of your jeans: Take your pants legs and fold them into a rectangle that is about two inches wide. For a shoulder bag, keep the pants legs separate. For a crossbody bag, sew the pants legs together to make an extra long rectangle. If you don't mind having scrap denim: Cut out a rectangle (or two if you want to make a crossbody bag strap and just one rectangle is too short) that is as long as you want your bag handle/shoulder strap to be and is about four inches wide.
If you want to make a crossbody bag, you might have to sew your rectangles together to make an extra long rectangle.
After folding your pants leg(s) sew the edges together to finish your bag strap/handle(s). If you cut out a denim rectangle fold the rectangle in a way that the cut length edges meet in the middle with one slightly overlapping the other.
Sew the edges of the rectangle together.
Now you can sew the ends of the strap/handle(s) to the inside of the bag.
After you finish attaching the strap/handle(s) to the bag you're done! You can add extra pockets to the bag using any scrap denim/fabric you have. You could add pins and buttons to make it unique. You can customize it with fabric paint and studs.
To add interior lining to your bag, turn your bag inside out. Next, you need to get an old shirt or scrap fabric. Make sure it is big enough to fit around the interior of your bag.
When you have a piece of fabric big enough to cover the interior of your bag, you can cut out the shape of the bag.
After you cut out your fabric shape, sew the edges of the fabric to the edge of the bag.
If you decided to have interior lining for your denim bag it could make a cool reversible bag as well. You could turn it inside out to show any pattern(s) on the fabric or keep the denim showing on the outside. Enjoy your new bag! :)