How to Make Capri Sun Bags & Purses

Recycle old juice pouches by turning them into a new purse.

Flaunt your environmentally friendly, fashionable side with a recycled Capri Sun juice pouch bag or purse. Save all of those old Capri Sun juice pouches and have the kids bring their empties home from school. The fashion accessory is easy to make, helps save the environment and can be a great craft for children who would like to learn to sew.

Things You'll Need

• 40 to 75 Capri Sun juice pouches
• Scrap cloth
• Rolling pin
• Sewing needle
• Thread
• Lining fabric
• 1-inch wide canvas strapping

Instructions

1. Empty 40 Capri Sun juice pouches for a medium-size purse, or 75 pouches for a larger bag. Place a cloth on your work surface and lay the juice pouches on top with the straw hole facing downward. Roll each pouch flat with a rolling pin.

2. Arrange the pouches into a rectangle for the bag or purse with the design side of each pouch facing upward. For a medium-size purse, lay four pouches side by side to make a row and make a total of 10 rows. For a larger bag, lay five pouches side by side for a row and make 15 rows.

3. Sew the pouches together with a whipstitch, using the same method you would if you were joining a quilt.

4. Measure the length and width of the juice pouch rectangle and cut a piece of lining fabric to this size. Lay the juice pouch rectangle down with the design side facing downward and place the lining fabric on top. Sew around the edges to join the layers.

5. Fold the joined Capri Sun rectangle in half with the design side of the pouches facing inward. Sew the sides of the bag together using a straight stitch, about 1/4-inch away from the edges.

6. Invert the bag so the design sides of the pouches are facing outward.

7. Cut two pieces of 1-inch wide canvas strapping for the purse or bag handles. Make each piece 14 inches long for a shorter purse handle or up to 30 inches long for longer straps.

8. Find the center of the front of the purse and measure 3 inches to the left and right. Pin one end of a strap to each side. Do the same for the back of the purse, then sew the straps in place.

References

• Bring on the Lloyds: Creative Recycling: Capri Sun Tote Bag
• "Refashioned Bags: Upcycle Anything into High-Style Handbags"; Faith Blakeney and Justina Blakeney; 2009