Got an old pair of jeans you just can't bear to part with? Give them a stylish second life as a fantastic, everyday tote bag! This project is perfect for carrying your essentials, groceries, or crafting supplies. It's sturdy, eco-friendly, and that iconic denim pocket adds instant charm and functionality. Plus, it's a super satisfying sew that even beginners can tackle!
Let's turn that denim into a durable and delightful tote!
Skill Level: Beginner
Materials You'll Need:
1 pair of adult-sized jeans (straight leg or relaxed fit works best for fabric yield)
Coordinating all-purpose thread (or denim-specific thread for topstitching)
Sewing machine with a denim needle (essential for piercing thick denim!)
Fabric scissors
Pins or fabric clips
Measuring tape or ruler
Fabric marker or chalk
Iron and ironing board
For Lining: Approximately 2/3 yard (0.6 meters) of cotton quilting fabric or a durable fabric of your choice.
Finished Bag Dimensions (Approximate): Height: 12 inches (30.5 cm) Width: 14 inches (35.5 cm) Depth: 4 inches (10 cm) Handle Drop: 9-10 inches (23-25 cm)
Preparation: Deconstructing Your Jeans
Wash and Dry: Always start by washing and drying your jeans. This preshrinks the fabric and ensures it's clean before you begin sewing.
Cut Off Legs: Lay the jeans flat and smooth. Cut off both legs of the jeans, straight across, about 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) below the crotch seam. Set the top portion (waistband, fly, and pockets) aside – we'll use a back pocket!
Open Leg Seams: Carefully cut along the inner seam of both jean legs, opening them up into flat pieces of fabric. Press these flat with an iron.
Harvest Pockets: Gently unpick one of the back pockets from the top portion of the jeans. Try to keep it as intact as possible. This will be your exterior pocket on the bag.
Cutting Your Bag Pieces:
All seam allowances are 3/8 inch (1 cm) unless otherwise stated.
From the flat denim leg pieces, cut the following:
Main Body Exterior (2 pieces): Cut two rectangles measuring 16 inches (40.5 cm) high x 15 inches (38 cm) wide.
Handles (2 pieces): Cut two rectangles measuring 20 inches (51 cm) long x 3.5 inches (9 cm) wide.
From your Lining Fabric, cut the following:
Main Body Lining (2 pieces): Cut two rectangles measuring 16 inches (40.5 cm) high x 15 inches (38 cm) wide.
Sewing Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Bag Exterior Panels
Take one of your Main Body Exterior denim pieces. This will be the front of your bag.
Center your harvested back pocket onto this panel. Position it about 4-5 inches (10-12.5 cm) down from the top raw edge and centered horizontally. Pin securely.
Topstitch carefully around the three sides of the pocket (leaving the top open) to secure it to the main body panel. Use a denim needle and a slightly longer stitch length (3.0-3.5mm) for a professional and sturdy look.
Step 2: Assemble the Outer Bag
Place your two Main Body Exterior denim pieces right sides together, aligning all edges.
Sew down both side seams and across the bottom seam. Press seams open.
Box the Corners: This creates the flat bottom of your tote.
At each bottom corner, flatten the seam so the side seam and bottom seam meet, forming a triangle.
Measure 2 inches (5 cm) from the point of the triangle and draw a line perpendicular to the seam.
Sew along this drawn line.
Trim the excess fabric from the corner, leaving a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance.
Repeat for the other bottom corner.
Turn the denim outer bag right side out. Set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Bag Lining
Repeat all steps in Step 2 using your Lining Fabric pieces. Place the two Main Body Lining pieces right sides together, sew side and bottom seams, and box the corners.
Important: Do NOT turn the lining right side out. Leave it wrong side out.
Step 4: Prepare the Handles
Take one Handle piece. Fold it in half lengthwise, right sides together. Press firmly.
Sew along the long raw edge with a 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam.
Turn the handle right side out. A loop turner or a safety pin attached to one end and pulled through helps with this. Press flat, making sure the seam is centered along the back.
Topstitch along both long edges of the handle for added durability and a professional finish. Repeat for the second handle.
Step 5: Attach Handles to Outer Bag
With the denim outer bag still right side out, lay it flat.
Measure 3 inches (7.5 cm) in from each side seam along the top raw edge of the bag. Mark these points. These are where your handles will be attached.
Pin one end of a prepared handle to the first mark on the front panel, aligning raw edges. Pin the other end of the same handle to the second mark on the front panel. Ensure the handle isn't twisted.
Repeat for the second handle on the back panel of the bag.
Baste the raw ends of the handles to the bag top edge within the 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance. This holds them in place for the next step.
Step 6: Join Outer Bag and Lining
With the denim outer bag still right side out (and handles basted in place), slip it inside the lining bag (which is still wrong side out). The right sides of the denim bag and the lining should be facing each other.
Align the top raw edges of the bag and lining, carefully matching side seams. Pin all around the top opening, ensuring the handles are tucked neatly between the layers.
Sew all around the top raw edge with a 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance, leaving a 4-5 inch (10-12.5 cm) opening along one of the long straight edges (e.g., the back) for turning. Backstitch at the beginning and end of this opening.
Step 7: Final Assembly & Finishing Touches
Reach into the turning hole and gently pull the entire bag right side out.
Push out all corners and edges neatly. Gently tug on the handles to fully expose them.
Press the top edge of the bag firmly, ensuring the seam allowance of the turning hole is tucked inwards.
Stitch the turning hole closed. You can do this by hand using a ladder stitch for an invisible finish, or by machine with a topstitch very close to the edge.
Give your entire bag a final press to crisp up all the seams. For an extra polished look, you can topstitch around the entire top edge of the bag (about 1/8 inch or 0.3 cm from the edge).
You're Done!
Congratulations! You've just transformed a pair of old jeans into a fantastic, one-of-a-kind denim tote bag! It's durable, practical, and incredibly stylish. Fill it with your daily essentials, your latest library haul, or your favorite crafting projects.
Share your finished denim tote bag with me on social media using #DenimToteUpcycle – I'd love to see your unique creations! Happy sewing!
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