The Upcycled Denim Jean Bag

 

The Upcycled Denim Jean Bag: A Detailed DIY Sewing Pattern

Welcome! This is a fantastic upcycling project that takes an old pair of jeans and transforms them into a durable and stylish tote bag. It's an eco-friendly way to give new life to a piece you no longer wear. The pockets, belt loops, and zipper become built-in features, and you get a sturdy, one-of-a-kind bag perfect for groceries, books, or everyday errands.

This pattern is well-suited for a confident beginner who is comfortable with basic sewing techniques and working with thick denim fabric.

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Materials

• One Pair of Old Jeans: A pair of jeans that fits loosely around your hips is ideal, as this will give you a wider, more spacious bag.

• Thread: All-purpose thread in a color that matches or contrasts with the denim (e.g., gold or white thread for a classic look).

• Basic sewing supplies: Sewing machine with a strong needle (e.g., a denim needle), scissors, pins or clips, measuring tape, and a seam ripper.

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Key Concepts: Deconstruction and Structure

The key to this project is to use the existing seams and structure of the jeans to your advantage, which minimizes the amount of new sewing required.

• Deconstruction: You'll start by cutting the jeans and then carefully seam ripping to create the new shape.

• Structure: The finished bag will use the original waistband as its top opening and the existing front and back panels as the bag's body.

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Sewing Instructions

Note: Use a 1/2-inch seam allowance throughout the pattern unless otherwise noted.

Step 1: Deconstruct the Jeans

1. Lay your jeans flat on your work surface.

2. Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut the legs off of the jeans. The height of the bag will be determined by where you cut. A good starting point is to cut horizontally, about 10-12 inches down from the waistband.

3. Carefully use a seam ripper to open the inseam (the seam that runs up the inside of the legs) and the crotch seam. You want to open them just enough so the front and back panels can lay flat.

4. Turn the jeans inside out. The front and back panels are now separated, and the jeans look like a skirt that is open at the bottom.

Step 2: Create the Bag Shape

1. To create the flat bottom of the bag, you will sew the front and back panels together. Pin the inseams together, wrong sides out. Sew a straight line across the bottom of the jeans to close the opening you created.

2. To create the squared-off bottom seen in the image, you will box the corners. Lay the bag flat, with the side seams aligned with the bottom seam. This will create a small triangle at each corner.

3. Decide how wide you want the bottom to be (e.g., 2 inches). Measure 1 inch from the corner point and draw a straight line. Sew across this line.

4. Trim the excess fabric from the triangle. Repeat for the other side. Turn the bag right side out.

Step 3: Prepare and Attach the Handles

1. Take the jean legs that you cut off in Step 1. Cut a seam open to create a flat piece of fabric.

2. Cut two strips for your handles, each approximately 4 inches wide and 20 inches long.

3. Fold each strip in half lengthwise and sew the long edges to create a tube. Turn them right side out and press them flat. Topstitch along both edges for a polished look.

4. Place the bag on a flat surface. Position the ends of the handles about 4-5 inches in from the side seams, on both the front and back of the bag. Pin them in place.

5. Sew the handles securely to the top of the bag. Sew a box with an "X" inside it at each handle attachment point for extra durability.

Step 4: Final Touches

1. Reinforce the top edge of the bag (the waistband). You can sew an extra line of stitches just below the waistband to prevent stretching.

2. Trim any loose threads. Give your bag a final press with an iron.

Your upcycled denim tote bag is now complete!

Video tutorial