Tutorial: Large Denim Totebag With Old Jeans
Learn how to upcycle old pairs of jeans into a large tote bag. You can use the pockets of your jeans as pockets in the bag and any rips in your jeans can add a little extra character to the bag too. Just be ready to cut up a couple old pairs of jeans and follow along with the step-by-step tutorial below.
Note: when sewing with denim, I recommend using a heavy weight or denim needle (it may also be called a jeans needle). A standard needle may snap if you try to sew through too many layers of denim.
This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. That being said, I encourage you to use your local sewing shop whenever possible, or to look for supplies second hand.
Supplies Needed:
Step 1
Sew your denim legs into a tube
Cut your jeans so they have straight edges along all sides. If the side seam is straight enough, you can keep it in tact and just cut the other side. After cutting the straight edges, sew the pant leg pieces with right sides together into a big tube.
Step 2
sew the bottom of the bag
Inside out, with right sides together sew the bottom of the bag.
Step 3
flatten inner corners to make a triangle on the end and sew 1.5″ from the point
This gives the bag more of a shape so it’s not completely flat, and it reinforces the corners of the bag.
Step 4
hem the upper edge of the bag
Step 5
attach the handle
Cut two 24 inch pieces of belting (or something similar) to use for the handle. Line them up on the center of the bag and topstitch them to both sides of the bag with a secure square stitch.
Finished!
