How to Sew a Jean Skirt Into a Purse

Make a hip purse for yourself or a friend using a jean skirt. This project is easy to make and very economical, if you recycle a skirt from your own closet, or purchase one second-hand. This jean purse features a rounded bottom that has been gathered. The steps are simple enough for a beginning sewer to achieve success. Plan this activity for a teenage girl's sleepover and have everyone bring their own jean skirt to transform.

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Jean skirt with belt loops, adult size 8 to 12
• Marking pen
• Scissors
• Sewing machine
• Crochet thread
• Straight pins
• 1/4 yard fabric
• Iron

Instructions

1. Measure 12-inches down from the waistband of a jean skirt and mark with a pen. Cut the bottom from the skirt at this measurement.

2. Turn the skirt wrong side out. Place the cut edge under the presser foot of your sewing machine at 1/4 inch. Knot an end of crochet thread. Place the knot behind the presser foot with the thread centered under the foot and out in front of it. Lower the presser foot. Set your sewing machine on its widest zig-zag stitch. Zig-zag over the thread, all the way around the cut skirt bottom, 1/4-inch from the edge. The zig-zag stitch will create a casing over the thread. Cut the crochet thread at the end of the zig-zag and knot the end.

3. Pull the crochet thread to gather the bottom of the skirt, 8 inches smaller than the original opening. Note: The amount of crochet thread pulled from the casing should measure 8 inches. Evenly adjust the gathers.

4. Lay the skirt flat on your sewing table with the front side up. Match the cut edges and pin. Sew across the pinned bottom edge using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Clip off the knotted ends of the crochet thread and remove. Turn the purse body right side out.

5. Cut two strips of fabric, 4-inches wide by 36-inches long. One strip is the purse handle and the other is the belt. Fold one strip in half with the right sides together and matching the long edges. Pin the long edges and the short ends. Sew the pinned edges using a 1/4-inch seam allowance and leaving a 3-inch opening along the long edge. Repeat with the other strip.

6. Turn the strips right side out through the 3-inch openings and press. Topstitch all the way around each strip, as close to the edges as possible. This is to add a finished edge and it will also close the openings.

7. Pin the end of one sewn strip inside the top edge and at one side seam of the jean skirt, 2-inches below the top. This will be the handle. If the belt loop is right over the seam, do not pin to the loop. Stitch across one end of the strip, as close to the waistband top edge as possible. Stitch across the end again, as close to the waistband bottom edge as possible. Repeat for the other end of the handle.

8. Thread the belt strip through the belt loops. Cinch as desired and tie into a bow at the center front of the jean skirt purse.