How to Make an Upcycled Bag from Old Jeans and Shirt Fabric

You'll Need

• Old jeans;
• Shirt fabric;
• Corded silk ribbon;
• Dress-making scissors;
• Threads and needles;
• Tailoring pins.

Instructions

Step 1: Preparing the Jeans

Unrip the jeans belt. Open it and iron well.

Step 2: Cutting the Base

From the shirt fabric, cut out two square details of the base of the bag in the size you need.

Step 3: Cutting Stripes

Cut the stripes from old jeans to the same length as your bag base is. One or several stripes can consist of 2 or 3 details; it's up to you.

Step 4: Arranging the Stripes

Put jeans belts and stripes of jeans on top of the base. Fix with tailoring pins.

Step 5: Stitching the Belts

Stitch belts and stripes onto the base using a straight and zigzag stitch.

Step 6: Adding Parallel Lines

Lay some more parallel lines to fix the details well.

Step 7: Enhancing the Design

To enhance the decorative effect, use multi-colored threads, all kinds of stripes, as well as decorative lines of your sewing machine.

Step 8: Making the Second Part

Make another part of the bag in the same way.

Step 9: Creating the Pocket

From the shirt fabric, cut out two parts of the pocket measuring 14x20 cm. Stitch the details around the perimeter, leaving a small opening for turning out. Turn out the pocket, sew the hole manually, and iron.

Step 10: Attaching the Pocket

Put a pocket on the wrong side of one of the parts of the bag and stitch it. The stitching line of the pocket will be visible from the front.

Step 11: Stitching the Pocket

Make a stitch in the middle of your pocket.

Step 12: Processing the Upper Section

Process the upper section of the bag on the overlock using threads of different colors.

Step 13: Preparing the Bottom

At the bottom of the bag details, cut out squares measuring 4.5x4.5 cm. This will help form the bottom of the bag.

Step 14: Stitching the Bag Parts

Stitch the bag parts along the side and bottom cuts.

Step 15: Finishing Open Sections

Process open sections on an overlock or in a zigzag line.

Step 16: Forming the Bottom

Now you need to form the bottom of the bag. Align the side and bottom seam from the back of the bag and secure.

Step 17: Turning the Bag

Turn your bag to the right side.

Step 18: Adding the Handles

Cut two strips 60 cm long from the corded silk ribbon. Using tailoring pins and a patch piece, fix the handles on the front of the bag. Stitch, including the overhead part, laying several lines in different directions for better fixation.