Recycled Denim Jean Bag
Here is my first machine-sewn recycled denim jean bag. I’ve been wanting to get this posted for quite awhile. I’ve been working on sewing denim totes from old jeans that I have. This is my first attempt and please understand that I am not a seamstress. This is truly a work in progress to create a small denim tote bag. I made this using only the pant leg of some old jeans. Then I added the outside pocket which I stitched around through the original pocket stitching to secure it to the tote bag.
I recycled an old curtain and cut it up to make my lining. I added in some pockets from an old denim shirt I had. This picture was taken when I just had the lining pinned in place.
Here is a picture of the handles I made for this bag. After I trimmed the seams, I turned them right side out. I then top-stitched the handles.
click to view larger
Here is a picture on how I attached the handles. I put them inside between the denim and the lining. I then stitched around the top to secure the lining to the bag with the straps in place. Make sure you use a machine needle designed for heavy denim as they work much better and don’t break like regular sewing machine needles do. The finished size of this bag is 7-1/2″ wide x 11″ long with 18″ straps.
click to view larger
I am working on a picture tutorial for a denim tote bag with a zippered lining. It will have step-by-step pictures. Once I have it completed, I will post it here for everyone. Recycling old denim jeans is really a lot of fun and I hope you’ll give it a try!
Tags: denim, denim-crafting, recycled-jeans
Oct 06, 2007
[…] wrote an interesting post today! Here’s a quick excerpt Here is my first machine-sewn recycled denim jean bag. […]
Oct 09, 2007
Ok, I officially have a new favorite! How cute! It’s adorable, really. You may not be a seamstress but you have a great eye and some serious skills. I think it looks great.
Oct 09, 2007
It looks great Cindy!
Oct 10, 2007
It looks great – I was half expecting the jeans to be torn up into strips of “jarn?” and crocheted into a bag. Now this bag I can do, still haven’t had a chance to tackle a crocheted bag yet, one day… 🙂
Oct 11, 2007
You and I picked the same WP theme. LOL
Jan 01, 2008
[…] Recycled Denim Bag – I fell in love with the blog My Recycled Bags several months ago, and continue finding the guides and pictures to be an inspiration. This guide was the author’s first machine-sewn recycled denim jean bag, and the effort (seriously easy!) is well worth it. All it takes is the pant leg of old jeans and you’ve created a small denim tote. The author even used a recycled curtain for lining – talk about repurposing! […]
Jan 01, 2008
[…] bags, just stitch a couple pieces of denim together to make a larger surface to begin with. Recycled Denim Bag – I fell in love with the blog My Recycled Bags several months ago, and continue finding the guides […]
Jan 07, 2009
Well done for a brilliant tutorial!!! I’ve already made two bags & I’m now hooked ! Now, where are all the old jeans?
Jun 20, 2009
I applaud you for finishing the bag and getting it posted. The bag I am working on is still in progress. Nice work.
Oct 16, 2009
I love this idea. I made a bag from the booty part of the jeans, and then not wanting to waste anything I also made a little bag from the leg. I painted on the denim just to jazz it up, and I attached a beaded handle. My friends loved them and told me to sell them. So now it’s been a few months and I have a website under construction, MyBootyBags.com, check it out and keep recycling!
Oct 20, 2009
Gal u are really creative.