Tutorial: Upcycled Denim Jeans Crossbody Purse
This tutorial will show you how to turn an old pair of jeans into a unique and creative crossbody bag. You’ll use the front and back of one leg of your jeans, using the pockets for the bag design. This is a whimsical way to upcycle an old pair of jeans that and turn them into something useful.
Note: when sewing with denim, I recommend using a heavy weight 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 top of one pant leg
Remove the zipper, and cut one pant leg open on the inseam. Fold the pants in half and line up the center front with the center back and then cut about 15 inches off the top of the pant leg. You’ll also want to square off the bottom corner so the fabric matches on both sides.
Step 2
cut the strap from the remaining pant leg
Cut 2 rectangles that are approximately 24″ X 3″ out of the fabric from the jeans leg. This will be the strap for the bag.
Step 3
Sew the bottom and side of the bag
Fold the bag with right sides together, and sew along the bottom and open side of the bag. Try to keep the pocket from the jeans out of the way.
Step 4
flatten the inner corners to make a triangle
Sew about 1.5 inches from the tip of the triangle. This gives the bag more of a shape so it’s not completely flat, and it reinforces the corners of the bag.
Step 5
Turn the bag to the right side
Press any seams that you want to lay flat.
Step 6
sew the two strap pieces together
With right sides together, sew the strap pieces along the short ends.
Step 7
Fold the strap and sew
Fold the sides of the strap to the center, and then fold it in half to encase the raw edges(the same way you would fold bias tape or a belt carrier). Then sew along the length of the open side.
Step 8
Position the strap on either side of the bag and sew
Top stitch through all layers. You can line up your stitches with the stitches already visible on the jeans for a more “invisible” finish.
Finished!
