Recycled Jeans Bag

By Marie Duncan, Education Creative Coordinator

(This project file is available as a Word doc with pictures in the Project Files section.)

Recycle your favorite pair of jeans into a bag. Use it for the beach, for books for or for all your “must have” stuff! Decorate it if desired and tie on a pretty scarf or belt to make it indisputably yours!

Sewing Supplies:
Husqvarna Viking Sewing Machine
Size 90 Jeans/Denim Needle
Sewing Thread
One pair old jeans, any size
Pictogram Pen
Lorna Touch Applicator Wand #140 001271
Crystals


1. Place your jeans on a flat surface and measure about 5” down from the crotch and draw a line. Cut the legs off the jeans, on the line you marked.

2. Cut next to the stitching in the crotch area to open up the jeans so they are like a skirt.

3. On the front, cut next to the stitching, up to the bottom of the zipper. Cut the stitching off the ONE leg as shown.

4. On the back, cut next to the stitching, up about 3”.

5. Now you should be able to flatten out the jeans. Work on the front first. Put a book or a

piece of cardboard between the layers so you don’t pin the front to the back. Overlay with the stitching up, and pin.

6. Next do the same for the back. On any edges where there isn’t stitching, turn under the edge.

7. Insert a size 90 Jeans/Denim Needle. Thread with thread to match your jean fabric. A Jeans/Denim needle is stronger than a regular needle and has a sharp point. Select a straight stitch and sew between the sewing on the jeans. On the edges where there wasn’t any sewing, sew near the edge you folded under.

8. The bottoms of the jeans will be uneven, that’s ok. Place them flat on a table, and using a rotary cutter and ruler, trim them straight across.

9. Turn the jeans inside out so the wrong side is out. Pin the front and back together across the bottom. Sew across the bottom. Guide the edge of the fabric at the 15mm mark on the throat plate of your sewing machine. Take the pins out before you get to them. Your Jeans/Denim needle won’t have a nice sharp point anymore if you sew over the pins. Your jeans are no longer jeans, they are now a bag!

10. But; your bag needs a strap to carry it with! Cut next to the stitching on the legs so the legs are two flat pieces.

11. Using your Pictogram Pen mark a line 4” from the stitching. Cut on the line.

12. Fold the strap piece that is 4” wide in half, wrong sides together. Pin. Stitch between the lines of stitching like you did before.

13. Pin the handle to the wrong side of the waistband. The raw edge of the handle should be at the bottom of the waistband. Pin them next to the belt loops so when you sew the handle, you won’t be sewing across the belt loop. Pin the other handle in the corresponding place on the back of the bag.

14. Sew a square, then across diagonally as shown, to hold the handles in place. This is a good place to remove your accessory box and use the free arm on your Husqvarna Viking sewing machine. It keeps you from sewing the front to the back by mistake.

15. Now, Have fun! Decorate with fabric tied around the bag, in the belt loops. We added Swarovski crystals, using the Lorna Touch Applicator Wand for a little “bling”. Sew some outrageous fringe across the bottom???

16. To make the tie, cut scraps 3” wide and 4” to 6” long. Sew them end to end, right sides together.

17. Fold in half, wrong sides together, lengthwise and stitch near the edge. Let the edge of the fabric line up with the edge of your foot. The edges will be raw, and will fray nicely, when you wash it! Thread the tie through the belt loops on your bag.

18. If desired, add crystals along the pockets and randomly on the bag itself. Enjoy!