Turn an old pair of jeans into a comfortable, homemade bag

February 23, 2022

A comfortable bag is always useful, and if it is also made from a resistant fabric, it will always be available to come in handy on many different occasions. So why not make one out of denim? Just like our favorite garments (jeans), denim fabric is durable and tough, and if you have an old pair of jeans that you don't wear anymore, you might want to use those to make a nice, durable, homemade bag.

You will only need a bit of sturdy stitching thread, a few pieces of denim, and some fabric to line the inside of the bag. In short order, you will have made a stepping-out bag, but also one that could be used perhaps at the beach or as an original custodian to tidy up, for example, balls of yarn or other creative materials laying around the house. Read on to find out how to do this:

Material and equipment needed:

An old pair of jeans
Fabric to line the inside (black or in any desired color and pattern)
Scissors
Needle and thread
One button
A length of elastic or a drawstring
Cardboard
Ruler
Pencil

How to proceed:

Cut the end of both legs of the jeans, eliminating the hem. They will obviously have to be of the exact same height.
Open each of the two pieces obtained by cutting along the outer seam.
On the cardboard, draw the shape and size you want to make for the bag and cut it out.
Use this template to cut out the denim from the two obtained pieces.
Sew the pieces of denim together, joining the wider side and thus obtaining a single larger cutout.
Add the fabric to line the inside, cut to match the denim.
Sew along the top of the bag, creating a few folds so that the bag then has a trapezoid shape.
Cut two equal strips out of the denim, fold them in on themselves in half and then use them as a reinforcing edge on the top side of the bag.
Fold both sides of the bag inward and secure all edges with thread.
Cut two more strips of denim, lengthwise: they will be used for the top and handles of the bag. Then fold them in half and sew them onto the bag.
Attach the elastic or string to one side of the bag and the button to the other. You can decide to create an internal closure, or one that passes through the other, under the handles.