Saturday, July 23, 2011

Make a Purse from Blue Jeans Shorts

Having kids means having a lot of outgrown clothes. My daughter was looking for a project the day before one of her best friends' birthday. We decided to take a pair of her favorite, but outgrown jeans shorts and upcycle the jeans into a cute purse. Great project, great present, great way to upcycle. 

Materials
Old pair of blue jeans or blue jean shorts
Sewing machine needle for jeans
Thread
Ribbon
Snap

Tools
Fabric scissors
Rotary cutter
24 x 36 self healing mat
Serger (optional)
Sewing Machine

Step 1
Place the blue jeans on the mat. Use a ruler to measure a straight line across the jeans just above the crotch. Use the scissors or rotary cutter to cut off the excess fabric at the line.

Step 2
Turn the jeans inside out. Use a serger or sewing machine to sew the cut side of the jeans closed. We used a four thread overlock on our Babylock Imagine serger to sew the jeans. If you do not have serger, use a sewing machine to sew the seam and then use a zigzag or overlock stitch over the edge of the fabric.

Step 3
Measure 2 to 3 inches from the corner of the bottom seam. Sew across the seam to create a boxed corner. Again, we sewed a four thread overlock with our serger. If you use a sewing machine, cut off the excess fabric just beyond the seam and then finish the seam with a zig zag or overlock stitch.

Step 4
Cut two pieces of ribbon the length needed for your handles. Finish the edges of the ribbon using a serger or an overlock stitch on the sewing machine.

Step 5
Pin the handles to the jeans. One handle should be pinned in two places on each side of the jeans. Check to be sure the handles are aligned and are comfortable.

Step 6
Sew the handles to the outside of the jeans using a straight stitch on the sewing machine. Sew in a box pattern at each of the four ends.

Step 7
Pin the snap in place. Sew the snap on the center of the top of the jeans.

Enjoy your bag!




Further Reading
"The Hip Handbag Book: 25 Easy-to-Make Totes, Purses, and Bags"; Sherri Haab; 2004.
"Bag Boutique: Making Fabulous Purses And Totes (That Patchwork Place)"; Amy Barickman; 2005.
"Chic Bags: 22 Handbags, Purses, Totes, and Accessories to Make"; Marie Enderlen-Debuisson, Caroline Laisne; 2007.
"Make Your Own Purses and Bags (Do It Yourself Projects!)"; Anna-marie D'cruz; 2009.
"The Bag Making Bible: The Complete Guide to Sewing and Customizing Your Own Unique Bags"; Lisa Lam; 2010

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