Tutorial: Upcycled Denim Drawstring Tote
Learn how to make a quick drawstring backpack using the legs of an old pair of jeans. This is a great way to upcycle your old pants to make something new and useful! Simply follow along with the step-by-step instructions, and you’ll have a new bag in an hour or less.
Note: when sewing with denim, I recommend using a jeans or denim needle with your sewing machine. A standard needle may snap if you try to sew through too many layers of denim.
Supplies Needed:
Step 1
Cut the legs off of a pair of jeans
Step 2
Cut the pant legs open along the outer seam
Cut the outer seam of both pant legs so that they open and lay flat.
Step 3
Cut the pant legs to the same size
Overlay the two pant legs and cut them along the top and bottom to make sure they are the same size
Step 4
add the belt loops to the base of the bag
Using a seam cutter, remove two belt loops from the waistband of your pants. Fold them in half and baste the two carriers to the bottom of the drawstring bag.
Step 5
sew the front and back of the bag together
With right sides together, sew along the bottom and sides. Leave 2.5 inches unsewn at the top of both sides.
Step 6
Hem the unsewn edges
make a narrow hem on the 4 edges at the top of the bag.
Step 7
Fold over the top of the bag to create a casing
Fold over the top of the bag and sew it to create a casing for your drawstring.
Step 8
Turn the bag to the right side
Step 9
add the drawstring to the casing
You need two pieces of string or cord and they both need to go all the way around, through both casings. One string you’ll insert through the left side, thread it all the way around so it comes back out the left. The other will start on the right side and go all the way around so it comes back out the right. Then you want to tie each string around the loops that were sewn to the bottom earlier.
Finished!
