Whats more American than a great pair of jeans? So for Memorial Day Weekend (the official unofficial start of Summer) what could be better than a pair of jeans recycled into a chic new bag?
It’s one part Summer camp,
one part Hippie Chic.
VIEW DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS >
To see step by step instructions and photos click here.
What youll need to make your Recycled Jeans Bag:
- Pair of jeans
- Neck tie
- Broach or fancy pin
- Sewing machine
Step 1
Cut the legs off your jeans about and inch and a half below the back pockets.
Cut the crotch seam as well and cut off any extra heavy sewn seams.
Step 2
Turn your jeans inside out and pin the front and back, sew them and cut off any excess fabric.
Step 3
Pin the bottom of your jeans and sew the bottom all the way across.
Make sure to reinforce your seams at the ends. Since you will be using this as a bag you want your seams to hold.
Step 4
Turn your jeans, now your bag, right side out.
Step 5
Take your neck tie and feed it through the side and front belt loops on both sides.
Step 6
Overlap your ends and pin with your broach.
This project works great as a follow up to all your Spring cleaning. Im sure you have an old pair of jeans that maybe dont fit, but you just cant part with, and dad or hubby or BF must have an old tie theyd gladly donate. This is a really quick, fun project and a perfect bag to use this Memorial Day Weekend. You can get creative with it and add more broaches or instead of a tie, use a belt or a chain.
Go crazy and be sure to let me know what you come up with, I love to hear how you make these projects your own.
I will share this beautiful project with my highschool students! wow! teens love this type of art-recycled project.
I have an old metal “Jaguar” belt {the kitties all linked together…} that I do not wear… but it would make an AWESOME purse strap!!…& would really ‘dress up’ a jean purse! i LOVE this idea!! …not to mention, hubby would GLADLY let me have ANY of his neckties as well!! *ha ha* heck, could prep a FEW things…to change the look/colour coordination of the purse! 8-)
Hi Noreen,
Thanks! Your “jaguar” belt sounds amazing! I agree that would be and awesome purse strap! Send me pics when you make your purse, I would LOVE to see it!
xoxo
Cathy
This made me smile, I was making jean purses back in the late 70’s. As a matter of fact, I was the youngest of 5 girls, one day my sisters all left and I was upset with them. So I went into their bedroom and took a pair of my sisters (elephant bottom jeans, some of you will not know what they are, but those who do, know the were the “in thing” back then.) Anyway, I cut my sisters new jeans up and had a purse made out of them and one of her belts, by the time she got home. :) I LOVE Jean purses!! Thank you for the memories!
Judy @ Grandma Lorna’s Attic
Hi Judy,
Thank you for sharing your memories! It’s a great story, it made me laugh! (I do remember those elephant bottom jeans! I used to try to wear my sisters!)
xoxo
Cathy
Would the broach be strong enough to hold strap?
Hi Donna,
Make sure that your brooch has a secure and strong closure, some are weaker than others. Mine has held up fine, when I use it I don’t over fill my bag, but it’s worked very well.
xoxo
Cathy
I did this recently and only issue I had was the bagfolding or slouching. Solution: I tied the tie to the belt loops instead and used upcycled hair ties to keep it closed.
That’s a great idea Kimberly! Thanks for sharing!
xoxo
Cathy
omg this is so fresh and crispy i love it so much
this is so fresh and crispy omg i looooove it :)
Love it. Is there a way to close it?