How to Make a Blue Jeans Handbag

Old blue jeans don't necessarily have to become cut-off shorts next time a torn or worn pair turn up. A handbag made out of blue jeans is a fun and stylish opportunity to get creative, make a functional addition to your wardrobe and preserve that denim that you love.

Things You'll Need

• Tissue paper or other thin paper (for pattern)
• Old blue jeans
• Accent fabric (for liner)
• Accent thread
• Button (optional)

Instructions

Preparation

1. Create a pattern for your bag. The easiest pattern to create is a simple rectangular tote bag, which requires 2 rectangles cut from your blue jeans and two strips of denim for the straps. You can alter the rectangular tote pattern to taper at the top, or make a shallower, rounded bag. Any number of shapes can be sewn together in a tote bag fashion, so be creative and pick a shape that you like and will fit onto your jeans.

2. Lay the pattern onto the jeans to see where you'll be able to get the fabric from. This can be difficult if your jeans are especially small, but don't hesitate to include seams, pockets or zippers in the pieces you choose. These can add fun accents to your final product, especially a good pocket, but be aware of what part of the fabric will be on your seams and avoid having to sew over an existing zipper or very thick seam.

3. Cut your 2 bag pieces as well as the 2 strap pieces from the blue jeans. Make sure that when you cut strap pieces, they are twice as wide as you want your straps to be. Cut matching bag pieces from your liner fabric as well.

Assembly

1. Create the straps by folding the denim strips in half, tucking the rough edges under on the inside of the strap and pinning the strap together. Sew slowly down the seam, making sure that the rough edge stays tucked in and that you remove the pins as you go.

2. Take one denim side of the bag and one liner side and pin them together, good sides in, on the sides and top, pinning the strap into the top side as well. Remember, you will be turning this inside out, so at this point the strap will be hidden between the 2 layers, not sticking out of the top. Repeat with the second side.

3. Turn the sides right side out. You should have 2 separate sides of the bag, sewn on the sides and top and unsewn on the bottom. Place the 2 sides together with the outsides in and sew the sides and bottom.

4. Turn the bag right side out and fill it with anything you want to carry.

5. You may choose to add a zipper or button closure to the bag for a more advanced project. Adding a button requires only that you create a tab with a buttonhole on it. Add this in when you add the strap onto one side. Then add the button when you're finished with everything else. For a zipper, the easiest way is to just sew the zipper into the inside edge of both sides at the top. Remember to match up the ends so that it will close evenly. The zipper length can be adjusted by simply sewing across the zipper where you want it to end and cutting it off beyond the edge you have sewn.

Tips & Warnings

• Because your denim has been worn and washed before, it should be easier to work with than new denim, but it can't hurt to run it through the wash a few extra times with fabric softener. This will make the fabric more pliable and easier to use with a sewing machine.

• In addition to using a denim needle and heavy thread, adjust your stitch length to be longer because this will reduce the strain on your sewing machine when sewing the denim.

• Sewing denim with a sewing machine can be difficult, so make sure you are using a denim needle (a heavy grade of needle with a sharper point) and strong cotton thread. You can buy the denim quality thread that manufacturers use for blue jeans at most fabric and craft stores.