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 […]