How to Make a Recycled Denim Tote Bag

When you think of recycling denim, you usually think of old jeans, not denim jackets. Many people have denim jackets they have either outgrown or they can no longer wear. These wonderful durable gems can be made into fabulous denim tote bags. Working the design around the breast pockets will give you built-in organizing pockets. The size of your tote bag will depend on the size of your jacket.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Old denim jacket
• 1/2 yard lining fabric
• Yardstick
• Scissors
• Straight pins
• Sewing machine
• Denim or heavy-duty sewing machine needle
• Needle-nose pliers
• Hand-sewing needle and thread

1. Button or snap your jacket and lay if face up on your work surface. Adjust the jacket so the bottom is even and pin to prevent slippage. Measure from the outside edges of each breast pocket 1/2 inch. This will be the width of your tote bag pieces. Measure an inch above the yoke seam, above the pockets. From this mark to the bottom edge is the length of your tote bag pieces. Pin the front and back of the jacket together, inside these marks. Cut a rectangle through both layers of the jacket using the marks as your guide. Use needle-nose pliers to remove the bottom button and shank. Cut two rectangles from the lining fabric the same size as the denim rectangles.

2. Cut the sleeves off the jacket at the shoulder seam. Cut each sleeve open at the underarm seam. Measure and cut four strips from the sleeves, 2 inches wide by 16 inches long, for the handles. Piece together strips, if needed. Pin two strips with the wrong sides together. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance on each pinned long edge. Repeat for the other two strips. Clip the long sides of the two handles 1/2 inch apart and almost to the sewing line. Do not clip through the stitches.

3. Cut two strips 2 inches wide, the same length as the rectangles. Cut one strip 2 inches wide for the bottom of your tote bag. Lay the jacket's back rectangle on your work table with the wrong side up. Lay the 2-inch wide strips, right side up, on each side of the rectangle, overlapping the rectangle 3/4 inch. Place the jacket's front rectangle over the back rectangle, with the right side up and sandwiching the edge of the 2-inch strips between them. Pin the sides and the bottom through all layers. Sew the sides and bottom of the rectangle using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Clip the sewn strips 1/2 inch apart and almost to the sewing line. Do not clip through the stitches.

4. Pin the ends of one handle to the front of the tote bag, 4 inches apart, with the edges even with the edges of the tote bag top. Turn the bag over and repeat for the other handle. Place the two lining fabric rectangles with the wrong sides facing out and pin. Sew a 1/2-inch seam allowance on two sides and the bottom of the pinned rectangle, leaving a 4-inch opening on the bottom for turning. Insert the denim tote bag inside the lining bag and match the top edges and the side seams. Make sure the handles are in between the bags. Pin the top edges of the lining to the tote bag. Sew around the top of the bag using a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

5. Turn the bag right side out through the opening in the lining bottom and hand sew the opening closed. Place the bag in the washer and dryer to fray the clipped edges.