Upcycle Project – Old Jeans into Bag

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I finally finished the denim bag I started over 2 months ago.  The project got put aside when I began working on some new skirts and shorts and my summer tunic.  Too many ideas and projects and not enough time is forever a problem!  Here is my finished bag:

Bag by www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog
Front side of bag by www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog
Back of denim jeans bag by Kimberlees Korner
Back of denim jeans bag by Kimberlees Korner

This bag was made using a very old pair of jeans that were mine – I had not worn them in many years.  Below are the steps I used to make this bag.  Really if you want to make an upcycled bag you can just kind of go with it and use your own ideas and sewing skills.  That is more or less how I created mine.

1.  Cut off the jeans at the crotch area – draw a chalk line and cut

draw chalk line at crotch area of jeans and cut on line
draw chalk line at crotch area of jeans and cut on line

2.  Even up the bottom and sew a little at the lower crotch area to straighten the seam on front and back side

sew lower crotch area to be a straight seam on front and back side
sew lower crotch area to be a straight seam on front and back side

3.  Do machine embroidery wherever you desire – I did mine on lower pocket areas and made it so I could use the pockets

machine embroidery on denim bag by www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog
machine embroidery on denim bag by www.kimberleeskorner.com/blog

4.  Lay the denim bag section over your lining fabric and cut out lining

cut out lining by laying denim section over lining fabric
cut out lining by laying denim section over lining fabric

5. Cut straps from denim leg pieces and lining fabric – I did mine 23 in. long by 2 in. wide – cut 2 of each

cutting straps from jean leg section
cutting straps from jean leg section

 

cut straps from lining fabric using jean piece for guide
cut straps from lining fabric using jean piece for guide

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.  Cut tab closure piece  – 6 in. long by 2 1/2 in. wide – 1 denim, 1 fabric and 1 interfacing                                 Angle one end 60 degrees if you want it to be slanted not straight

cut tab closure at a 60 degree angle
cut tab closure at a 60 degree angle

 

cut tab closure of denim with RS of fabric facing down
cut tab closure of denim with RS of fabric facing down

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.  Sew up bottom of bag with 1/2 in. seam allowance and square off ends of bag by sewing in 1 1/2 in.            on each corner – I cut this off after sewing to remove bulk

sew a straight line 1 1/2 in. from corner to box bag bottom
sew a straight line 1 1/2 in. from corner to box bag bottom

8.  Sew up lining on sides and bottom and square off ends as done in step 7

9.  Cut 2 circles aprrox. 6 in. around and cut into a spiral for the scrappy flowers

6 inch circle for scrappy flower
6 inch circle for scrappy flower

10.  Sew scrappy flowers by using a stitch length of 5 and stitch 1/4 in. away from edge of inner side of cut        spiral.  Pull to thread to gather and coil fabric into a circular flower.  Stitch with narrow zigzag in the              middle to hold flower in place.

Cut circle into a spiral
Cut circle into a spiral

 

sew along inner edge of spiral piece with long stitch length to gather for scrappy flower
sew along inner edge of spiral piece with long stitch length to gather for scrappy flower

 

coiling flower up after gathering to create flower
coiling flower up after gathering to create flower

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11.  Sew scrappy flower to back pocket of bag on corner

12.  Straps – sew down each long side with RS together using edge of presser as a seam guide.  Turn RS        out using a dowel.  Press and topstitch edge of each strap – baste straps in desired area on top edge            of bag

use edgestitch foot to topstitch edge of straps
use edgestitch foot to topstitch edge of straps

13.  Sew tab closure – fuse interfacing to lining – sew tab with RS together around long edges and angled          end – leave straight top side open – clip corners and turn RS out

sewing of tab closure
sewing of tab closure

 

 

baste straps and closure tab to edges of bag
baste straps and closure tab to edges of bag

 

 

 

 

 

 

14.  Use a 1 to 1 1/2 in. piece of velcro to sew onto tab on fabric side of tab and other side of velcro to                denim bag – I place one verical and 1 horizontal for easy adjustable closure.  After sewing velcro on            sew tab with basting stitch onto middle of bag

15.  Fold down approx. 1 in. on top of open lining part of bag with WS together

16.  Place lining WS out down into denim bag.  Using edge stitch foot sew around bag to close up lining            and secure straps and tab in place – you can then remove basting stitches

place lining inside bag WS tog. and sew around top using an edgestitch foot
place lining inside bag WS tog. and sew around top using an edgestitch foot

17.  Make small pleat on either side edge of bag, if desired, to make opening at the top a little smaller

18.  Sew other scrappy flower onto tab closure with narrow zigzag stitch to hide velcro stitching

Bag is done!  Fill it with stuff!

denim upcycled bag from Kimberlees Korner
denim upcycled bag from Kimberlees Korner

Recommended items for easier sewing:

  • denim needles size 90 or 100
  • edgestitch foot for topstitching
  • quality sewing thread

This is a fun and easy way to recycle jeans.  I made another bag like this about a year ago using some sewing embroidery motifs and sewing fabric for the lining.  I did not put the tab closure on that bag because I wanted to use it for a knitting tote not a purse.  The flower one I am using as a purse.  

recycled denim - jeans turned into knitting bag by Kimberlees Korner
recycled denim – jeans turned into knitting bag by Kimberlees Korner

 

recycled denim bag - jeans turned into a knitting bag by Kimberlees Korner
recycled denim bag – jeans turned into a knitting bag by Kimberlees Korner

 

 

 

 

 

 

Currently I am working on some other ideas for using old jeans.  To receive future updates on my other projects subscribe via RSS feed or through bloglovin by clicking on the icons in the sidebar.  Have a great day!

One Reply to “Upcycle Project – Old Jeans into Bag”

  1. Great idea. I have a old pair of jeans ideal for this project. I’d love to make this bag. I have a similar problem though. Too many projects not enough time! Xx

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