Give your denim scraps a glorious new purpose! If you've been collecting denim pieces from old jeans or previous upcycling projects, this is the perfect opportunity to turn them into a stunning and incredibly practical patchwork tote bag. The beautiful variations in denim shades create a unique texture and visual interest, making this bag a true statement piece.
Let's dive into some satisfying scrap-busting and sew a one-of-a-kind denim tote!
Skill Level: Intermediate Beginner to Intermediate (familiarity with accurate cutting and seam allowances is key for good patchwork)
Materials You'll Need:
Assorted Denim Scraps: Collect denim from various pairs of jeans (different washes will give a great look!). You'll need enough to cut 50-60 squares (see cutting instructions). A good way to estimate is about 2-3 pairs of jeans of varying shades.
Lining Fabric: 1 yard (0.9 meters) of 44-inch wide cotton quilting fabric or a durable fabric of your choice.
Medium-Weight Fusible Interfacing: 1 yard (0.9 meters) of 20-inch wide interfacing (Pellon SF101 or similar) for the bag panels.
Heavy-Duty Snaps or Rivets: 2 sets (as seen in the image, for attaching handles). Alternatively, you can simply sew the handles in.
Coordinating all-purpose thread (or a stronger topstitching thread).
Sewing machine with a denim needle (essential!).
Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler (highly recommended for accurate square cutting!).
Fabric scissors.
Pins or fabric clips.
Measuring tape or ruler.
Fabric marker or chalk.
Iron and ironing board.
Finished Bag Dimensions (Approximate): Height: 12 inches (30.5 cm) Width: 14 inches (35.5 cm) Depth: 4 inches (10 cm) Handle Drop: 6-7 inches (15-18 cm)
Preparation: Preparing Your Denim Scraps
Wash and Dry: Wash and dry all your denim scraps. This preshrinks the fabric and ensures they're clean before you start.
Press Flat: Cut open any seams from jean legs and press all denim pieces completely flat. This is crucial for accurate patchwork.
Cutting Your Fabric Pieces:
All seam allowances are 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) for patchwork, and 3/8 inch (1 cm) for bag construction unless otherwise stated.
From Assorted Denim Scraps:
Denim Squares: Cut 50-60 squares, each measuring 4.5 inches x 4.5 inches (11.5 cm x 11.5 cm).
Tip: Aim for a mix of light, medium, and dark denim shades for the best visual effect.
From Main Denim Fabric (could be from one of your larger scraps or a dedicated piece):
Handles (2 pieces): Cut two rectangles measuring 20 inches (51 cm) long x 3 inches (7.5 cm) wide.
From Lining Fabric:
Main Body Lining (2 pieces): Cut two rectangles measuring 16 inches (40.5 cm) high x 15 inches (38 cm) wide.
Bottom Panel Lining (1 piece): Cut one rectangle measuring 15 inches (38 cm) long x 5 inches (12.5 cm) wide. (Optional, if you want a separate lining bottom.)
From Medium-Weight Fusible Interfacing:
Panel Interfacing: Cut enough pieces to fuse to the back of your completed patchwork panels (see step 1 in "Sewing Instructions"). You'll need two pieces for the main body and one for the bottom if you're using a separate bottom panel.
Sewing Instructions:
Part 1: Piece the Patchwork Panels
Create Patchwork Panels:
For the Front & Back Panels: You'll need to create two patchwork rectangles, each measuring approximately 16 inches (40.5 cm) high x 15 inches (38 cm) wide. With 4.5-inch squares and 1/4-inch seam allowances, this means:
4 squares across x 4 squares down = a 16.5" x 16.5" block (This gives you a little wiggle room to trim down to 16"x15").
Lay out your 16 squares for one panel (4 rows of 4 squares) arranging them in a pleasing pattern of light/dark denim.
Sew the squares together into rows (4 squares per row) using a 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) seam allowance. Press seams open or to one side (consistently!).
Sew the rows together to form a large panel. Press all seams.
Trim this patchwork panel down to exactly 16 inches (40.5 cm) high x 15 inches (38 cm) wide.
Repeat to create a second identical patchwork panel for the other side of your bag.
For the Side/Bottom Panel (Optional, if not boxing corners): You'll need one long strip of patchwork. You can do this with 4.5" squares or longer strips. For the image's style, we'll box corners, so this panel is not needed as a separate piece of patchwork.
Fuse Interfacing to Patchwork: Fuse the medium-weight fusible interfacing to the wrong side of both of your completed patchwork panels. This will stabilize the patchwork and give the bag good structure.
Part 2: Assemble the Outer Bag
Place your two completed Patchwork Main Body Exterior pieces right sides together, aligning all edges.
Sew down both side seams and across the bottom seam with a 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance. Press seams open.
Box the Corners: This creates the flat bottom of your tote, matching the look in the image.
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 (along the seam line from the corner) 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.
Part 3: Assemble the Bag Lining
Take your two Main Body Lining pieces. Place them right sides together, aligning all edges.
Sew down both side seams and across the bottom seam with a 3/8 inch (1 cm) seam allowance. Press seams open.
Box the Corners: Repeat Part 2, Step 3 for the lining bag.
Important: Do NOT turn the lining right side out. Leave it wrong side out.
Part 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. 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.
Part 5: Join Outer Bag and Lining
With the denim outer bag still right side out, lay it flat.
Measure 4 inches (10 cm) in from each side seam along the top raw edge of the bag. Mark these points. These are where your handles will be positioned.
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.
Now, with the denim outer bag 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.
Part 6: 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.
Topstitch around the entire top opening of the bag (about 1/8 inch or 0.3 cm from the edge) for a crisp finish and to further secure the lining.
Attach Snaps/Rivets (Optional, as seen in image): Once the bag is fully assembled, you can add heavy-duty snaps or rivets through the top edge of the bag (and handles) for extra reinforcement and a decorative touch. Position them centered on each handle, about 1 inch (2.5 cm) down from the top edge. Follow your snap/rivet kit instructions.
You're Done!
You've just created a truly unique and eco-friendly patchwork denim tote bag! This bag is not only a fantastic way to use up scraps but also a sturdy and stylish companion for all your adventures. The varying denim shades will make it stand out from the crowd.
Share your patchwork denim bag creations with me on social media using #PatchworkDenimTote – I'd love to see your unique mix of denim! Happy sewing!
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