Denim Tote Bag Tutorial
Here is my completed recycled denim tote bag with tutorial. I recycled an old pair of my son’s jeans to create this tote bag pattern. I used just one pant leg for the body of the bag and the other pant leg to make the straps. I lined the bag with some thrift store material that I bought for only a dollar. I want to remind readers here that I have stated in the past that I am not a seamstress so if my tutorial isn’t quite right, please be gentle. First and far most I am a recycler who tries to crochet and sew green, eco-friendly products. So with that being said, here’s my step-by-step instructions on how you too can sew a recycled denim tote bag.
First get a pant leg as shown.
All pictures are clickable complete tutorial click on the read more link here >
Cut off bottom hem as shown.
Open up and fold with side seams matching.
Trim panel to approx. 14″ wide by 28-1/2″ long for tote bag as shown.
Folded back to show bag body.
Denim edge pinned on inside as shown. Sew down folded hem.
Top edge sewn and ready for side seams. Make sure you use a heavy-duty denim sewing machine needle.
Inside seams before sewn.
Sewn down side seams on outside edge. Outside seams sown after sewn.
Finish the top edges of jean pocket as shown.
All pictures are clickable
Finished jean pocket.
Here are the strap strips which are 4-1/2″ wide by 29″ long each before sewing.
Here are the straps sewn and turned right side out. I then top-stitched along the both edges on the straps.
Inside corner prep which creates a flat bottom so the bag stands up.
Corner sewn on inside 2 inches deep on both sides of the denim shell.
Here is the finished corners from the outside.
Lining with 14″ zipper. Remember the right side of fabric will be on the inside so you can insert it into the finished denim bag shell.
Pin zipper to lining as shown. My zipper was a bit long but don’t worry, you can just hide the long end inside the bag once it’s sewn inside the denim shell.
Stitch along the edges of zipper and lining as shown.
Turn lining right side in once zipper is sewn in.
Finished lining shown.
Corner of lining sewn just like on denim corner to create flat bottom.
I wanted to have an inside pocket on my tote so I added this little pocket shown here pinned to the right side of fabric.
Finished measurement on pocket is 5-1/2″ wide by 6″ long.
Now you turned the lining (right side of fabric) to the inside.
Outside pocket that I stitched in place on the denim bag shell. I machine sewed this in place over the existing top-stitching on pocket.
Next I pinned the straps in place about 2-1/2″ from either side. I overlapped the ends of strap just a bit as shown here on the inside.
Stitch the handles in place by over-stitching carefully the prior stitches on the top outside edge.
Insert the finished lining inside the denim bag shell. Pin and hand sew the lining inside as shown.
Here is a view from inside the bag as you sew the lining in. I hand-stitched the lining to the bag edge.
Inside the bag with lining complete and sewn to denim shell.
Finished bag measurements taken flat are 12-1/2″ wide by 13-1/2″ long.
Standing up bag measures 12″ by 11-1/2″.
Straps finished measurements are 1-3/4″ wide by 28-1/2″ long.
****Please do not copy my patterns on your blog site or post my patterns on Internet sites. I do not allow my patterns to be republished without expressed written permission. Posting of my patterns, without written permission is in violation of my copyrights and is content theft.
Tags: denim, denim-crafting, recycled-jeans, sewing
Nov 02, 2007
This is so great and I am no seamstress either! I’d like to add you to my link round up that I do when I have a bunch of links saved up.
Nov 02, 2007
Oh, that is pure genius! Well done!!
Nov 02, 2007
I have no talent or patience for sewing,
so I won’t be making one of these. But
I must say that I like it- Your son’s old
jeans made a very cute tote bag! I like
the pocket a lot, too. Well done.
Nov 04, 2007
You are so creative. It’s a bright idea. And doesn’t take a long time to complete the project.
If you want to see the purses I have made, come to my blog. I used more than 2000 beads and took about 3 days to complete each.
Thanks for sharing. I may make one for myself one of these days. Haha! But I need to own a sewing machine first.
Nov 05, 2007
I want someone to make one of these but the truth is that I can’t even manage to sew a small hole closed in my favorite jeans… I’m just useless at this stuff!
Nov 06, 2007
Excellent sewing tutorial for a non-seamstress – zipper and all! Lovely : )
Nov 06, 2007
Can I ask why you hand sew the lining to the bag, instead of machine stitching? Just wondering.
Nov 06, 2007
Thanks everyone for the nice comments.
Silvia:
I had already machine-stitched down the edge on the denim shell and I didn’t trust myself to stitch around again without it showing to sew in the lining. By hand-stitching my lining in, I was able to carefully work around the top edge of the denim shell and lining to make it lay down smoothly. For anyone who is more skilled, I’m sure that machine sewing in the lining would work but for me the hand stitched method worked better. lol
Nov 06, 2007
[…] A tutorial for making a denim tote bag. Did I mention I’m crazy about this bag making thing? And have so many worn out pairs of jeans available. May have to try it soon. […]
Nov 08, 2007
I love the lining fabric. Very pretty!
Nov 11, 2007
[…] Summer M. When I was looking at all the awesome recycled purses from my post earlier the cutest denim tote bag stuck out at me. I’m generally not a demin purse person myself. I just do not get into the […]
Nov 12, 2007
Wow, your bags are great. We sell products at a farmers market and would like to work out a deal with you if possible to buy wholesale and we will sale them retail. Let me know if your interested.
Thanks
Nov 12, 2007
John,
Thanks for your interest in my bags. Unfortunately I make only a few crocheted bags for sale which are at my products link at the top. I have no way to mass produce my bags or sell them wholesale. This denim bag actually was made for me and I using it right now. 🙂
Nov 16, 2007
nice tutorial cindy. i think i might actually be able to do this. lol.
i want a sewing machine bad, so i can make a bunch of stuff i have floating in my head. all from recycled clothing i have that either doesnt fit or is abit too worn. i hate to throw them out, so i keep them in a drawer.
nice bag!
Nov 16, 2007
Missy:
Good luck with your clothes recycling. I hope you can make this bag. I’m enjoying it every day as I use it. This is one that I truly made for me!
Nov 28, 2007
Wow… a great bag.. I am taking it to office…great recycling…
Nov 28, 2007
Fantastic. I have seen them in specialty shops and the prices are really quite high. You have done a wonderful job. Thanks for sharing.
Nov 28, 2007
This is a precious REMAKE of the 60’s Denim bags I used to carry!!!
Suggestion: Place denim side pockets INSIDE, TOO, as well as a zippered pocket inside. Since these bags are deep and dark, it would also be GREAT to somehow sew a DIVIDER-POCKET ACROSS THE MIDDLE END-TO-END ! I’ve filed your site under my “favorites> GREAT CRAFTS folder. Thanks so much for the memories! Keep those ideas flowing. God bless you. : )
Nov 28, 2007
P.S. Do you have a pattern for the denim brimmed “dome cap” that was worn with that bag? I had a black velvet one as well, and now Targets is selling that style but someone has taken my hat from my home, shame on them ! It was authentic 60’s, still in great shape and a winter favorite of mine, even when not particularly in style, because it was so becoming and comfortable. Even long hair could be fitted into it and it not show.
(Sigh !)…for those days of comfy ATTRACTIVE clothes and accessories…..You know the reason America’s been both dumbed down and down-dressed? It’s so the fashion designers can make the Hollywood stars look so stunning with all their long gowns we dream of owning again, now that we are frimpy, wimpy, round and frowned. They seem more concerned about the outside rather than the heart of people.
O.K., all you “stars” reading this….Go home an brighten your teeth again,
then pretend you were born with them that way ! lol When the economy bottoms out, your sparkle will be a shadowy twinkle. (I’m just jealous that I can’t afford to whiten my teeth in any way. and lost my best and favorite winter cap!) : (
Nov 29, 2007
Lynda:
Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting. I don’t have a dome cap pattern. I looked around on the Internet too and couldn’t find one either. Hope you find one.
Jan 06, 2008
Your list had several items I planned for my students to make this month. Especially wonderful- your user-friendly directions for the denim tote– thanks!! Marylee
Feb 06, 2008
I love the look of this bag–I have been wanting to try zippers in the lining–but really couldn’t figure out how–after viewing your very nice easy to understand tutorial–I think I can do it!!
Thanks ever so much.
Feb 27, 2008
JUst looked at your tutorial on jean bag. It looks more updated than the jeans bag that came out years ago. I actually like this version better, and have botched up a lot of jeans w/ the other style jean bag. I just made a cute jean bag (small) and the straps are going to be on the outside of this cute little bag. Problem is that the bag is made from a pant leg as well, and the seams of the jean leg are more toward the front of the bag, giving it a different look of interest, therefore, if I were to line the straps up with the seams, (as I said were more toward the front) the straps would and did come out lopsided (top heavy) shen I pinned them. Could you help me to figure out how I am to balance these straps out? The straps are not long, but of proportion to the cute jean bag, which is about the size of a long piece of computer paer cut in half. If you have a good formula for this strap placement, please let me know, for my purse has no actual side seams ( seams closer to front of bag. Thank you, Samantha
Feb 27, 2008
@Samantha – I just sent you a PM. Let me know what straps you are doing and how you want to attach them. I want to help…
Mar 07, 2008
This is great. I have made various tote bags from a large variety of bag patterns. I’ve never tried making a bag from a pair of jeans before. I think it’d be cool to be able to try this out. I’d do the lining the way I learned from the pattern companies to do. (One side seam with a 6″ to 8″ hole in it, then right sides together with lining outside of bag, then sewn together at top. The hole in one side of the lining is to pull the bag through once you’ve sewn the top together. Then hand stitch just the hole in the side of the lining. (it’d be a lot shorter than trying to stitch all around the top of the bag, I think. But then, my hand sewing stinks)
Mar 16, 2008
I have made one of these. I did manage to get it done. The idea of a side seam turning-hole was alright. I had to redo the zipper 3 times (To get it zipping from the right to the left when the bag is facing front. It’s a quirk of mine.) But it’s a terrifically roomy bag and I’ve garnered a lot of compliments on it. Thank you so much for the tutorial.
Mar 16, 2008
@Abby:
So glad it worked out for you and you’re enjoying your bag. Thanks so much for letting me know. Best wishes!
Oct 03, 2008
wow, this is just what I was looking for in my search for denim projects. I have three kids and a seemingly endless supply of old worn jeans…. I am going to make this one first, I also want to make the little purses out of the torso portion of my daughters little jeans, and some draw string bags as well. do you have more tutorials, I have just begun to explore your great sight. thanks and great job!!
Oct 03, 2008
Hi GingerBreadGirl:
Glad you liked the denim projects and here are all my denim links. I have several different projects that you can make using denim. Best wishes to you!
Feb 14, 2009
I just may have to fish my sewing machine out of the closet. This looks like a great project. Thanks for the idea!
Apr 23, 2009
I can’t wait to try this out! Do you have a back pack pattern to make out of an old pair of jeans? I having been trying to locate one. I have not been able to locate one.
Thanks
Carolyn
@Carolyn,
I don’t have a denim backpack pattern at my site at this time. But if you just find a regular sewing pattern for one, you could just use it to make your backpack with recycled denim. Just open the legs of the jeans and sew two pieces together to create a wider piece of denim. Then just cut out your pattern pieces from the denim. Good luck.
Cindy
Apr 26, 2009
Cindy, thank you very much for this great idea! I’ve been thinking about something like for a while, cos I don’t like plastic bags any more and I don’t want to use and throw hundreds of them every week.
I’m going to use your wonderful idea for at least a couple of grocery totes.
Thank you very very much! And may God bless you with a long and healthy life!
Jan 17, 2010
I did this bag this afternoon and I love it. I did somethings diferent. I took the legseam and cut out the stitching and resewed it so it wasn’t so bulky. I didn’t put in a zipper I used a button and a tab . The pocket in front was from another pair of jeans and they were striped so in all it turned out good. I thank you for this pattern and totorial. your friend Sharon
Mar 12, 2010
For a quicker tote unlined or line if you want, make a deeper bag by cutting the legs off longer and cutting out the center seam. Then, stitch the front legs together and stitch the back legs to gether. You can do the bottom the same way as above for more width. This will give you 4 outside pockets. If you find a good pair of jeans at the thrift store for a buck, the leg left can usually make a nice wide strap or handle which I often line with the same fabric as the liner if I am lining it. If you find jeans with extra pockets OR CAMO pants with extra pockets, they make great totes which my friends love because of all the pockets. This past fall I picked up a small size of overall shorts and thought why not. I simply sewed the bottom shut and legs together as above, and I used the straps as a handle. I sold one for $20 and made a trade with another. The Trade was a Christmas gift for a college student who has gotten many lovely comments on her unique bag.
Aug 25, 2010
Thanks for a great idea!! What a wonderful project!!
Jul 15, 2011
[…] Denim Tote Bag Tutorial Star Dishcloth Quick Crocheted Baby Sweater Crocheted Jar Helper Popsicle Stick Bracelets […]
Feb 24, 2012
[…] Eski kotlar bize yeni yeni üretimler için yardım etmekte.. Bende evde bulunan eski kot pantolonlardan bir ÅŸeyler yapmak istiyorum diyorsanız nasıl yapıldığıyla ilgili resimli bilgiyi detaylarıyla buradan öğrenebilirsiniz. […]
Jun 19, 2012
wow, this is one of the cutest recycled denim bags I’ve seen . Now I know exactly what to do and how to do it . thats for sharing .
Nov 11, 2012
A friend recently lost her father to leukemia and asked if I would make several of these bags for her using his old blue jeans. They are my TO DO project for this week. What a wonderful rememberance of a loved one.
Apr 22, 2013
I thank you so much for these patterns, I made a denim quilt for my grandson,then he was 16,now he is 24 and still has it and uses it, i was trying to figure out what to make his quilt out of to with stand a 16 year old. At the time I made it, I was working in a factory, so I put the word out that I would take all denim jeans no matter what shape they were in,I did put a solid piece of denim for the back,there was no need to put anything in the middle,because it was heavy enough as is,I also used some denim from a pair of his old jeans and put his name and the date on it. I got alot of material to work with, but now I check out yard sales and remind the family to save them for me, I love making things out of things we normally throw away, as my kids would say I never throw anything away. Thanks again
Aug 10, 2013
[…] nog meer draagplezier te hebben van je spijkerbroek, kun je er ook een tas van […]
Jun 10, 2014
Love this bag it looks very simple, must try it soon
Jun 17, 2014
I have been saving mine and my husbands old jeans. I use them for patching up his “holey” jeans and I have cut up quite a few into 6 x 6 squares, to make a quilt one day. 🙂 Now I can make a few totes also. The denium wears like iron,(at least the old ones do). Thanks for sharing.
Jojo