How to Make a Purse Out of Your Kids' Jeans or Pants

Turn those old jeans into something useful.

It seems like kids outgrow pants faster than you can buy them. Instead of giving away those old jeans, transform them into a stylish and useful purse. A few snips and some basic sewing techniques are all that's needed. The pockets in the pants make great places to store your cell phone; hook your keys to the belt loops. Let your kids decorate the new bag in any way they choose.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Old jeans or pants
• Thread
• Ribbon
• Scissors
• Decorative beads or buttons, optional
• Fabric markers, optional

1. Using a pair of scissors, cut off the legs off of the pants right above the crotch. This determines where the bottom of your purse will be. Do not cut into the zipper area.

2. Turn the pants inside-out and sew a 1/4-inch seam along the bottom of the purse. Use a zigzag stitch for extra reinforcement. For a decorative look, do not turn the pants inside out. Rather, use a colored thread and sew a zigzag stitch along the cut edge on the outside of the purse. After you wash and dry the purse a few times, the edge will unravel and create a fringed look.

3. Turn the purse right side out, if necessary.

4. Cut a piece of ribbon the length you wish the strap or handle to be. Sew each end of the ribbon to the inside of the bag at the ouside hip seam. Fold over the ribbon to prevent fraying and use a zigzag stitch.

5. Decorate the purse with a ribbon threaded through the belt loops of the pants and tied in a bow. Sew the ends of the ribbon beforehand to prevent fraying.

6. Use fabric markers, decorative beads, buttons or other embellishments to decorate the bag.

Tips & Warnings

• Because this bag will likely get used, it's a good idea to sew across the bottom twice to give extra strength.

• If you don't have ribbon, you can use decrative rope, leather, or braided fabric scraps to make the strap.