This DIY bag from jeans is the perfect weekend bag that's easy to make and only requires some basic sewing skills to create. It's a great way to recycle denim and put it to good use.

I remember making a purse from old jeans in the late '70s and thought it might be fun to bring back this easy recycled craft.
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Supplies
- Old pair of jeans
- Zipper to fit the inside of the jean bag (I used a 16-inch zipper but this will vary with the jeans)
- 2 1 inch D-rings
- 1 inch black twill tape
- 1 decorative purse strap
I have several pairs of old jeans in my stash. This pair had wide pant legs that are no longer in style so I used them to make a weekend bag. You can then use the denim from the legs to create cute denim placemats.
How to Make a Jean Bag
Step 1 - Cut off the legs
Because you will want to make a bottom for this bag you'll want to cut the legs off below the crotch to give yourself as much material to work with as you can.
Step 2 - Sewing and Cutting Front and Back Seams.
In order to make the fabric lay flat, open the front seam, and pin it flat. Then sew along the pin lines.
After you've sewn the center cut off the excess fabric.
Repeat on the center of the backside of the jeans.
Step 3 - Pin and sew the bottom seam of the bag.
Now your fabric is nice and flat. Pin and sew a 1/2 inch seam on the bottom.
Step 4 - Make a flat bottom for your jean bag.
Once the bottom seam is sewn, match the side seam with the bottom seam making a point. Then measure 3.5 inches across and mark a line. Pin and sew along the line. You can then cut off the point or leave it for extra support.
Repeat on the other side.
Turn the back right side out and you can now see that you have a nice boxed bottom for your bag.
Here's what the basic finished bag looks like.
Step 5 - Add a zipper
Pin one side of the zipper just inside the waistband. Sew that side using a navy or blue thread so that it will blend in with the jeans. Then open the zipper and pin the other side. Sew in place.
I used a fun 16-inch craft zipper but the size will depend on how big or small your jeans are.
Step 6 - Add Rings to Attach a Strap
Cut a small piece of twill tape and slide it through the D-ring.
Pin it to the top of the side of the bag and sew it into place. Trim off any extra twill tape.
Step 7 - Clip a Decorative Strap on the D-rings
Clip a decorative strap to use as your handle. I really loved all these decorative purse straps that you can buy online.
However, you could simply make a strap of the extra material from the legs. In this case, you could also do away with the D-rings and twill tape, or keep them for added design.
How to Make a Purse Strap from Jeans
Decide on the finished length and width. For example, say you want a 30 inch strap that is 2 inches wide. You probably do not have a piece of fabric that is 30 inches. Here's what you can do. Split it in half and add extra for seams and attaching to the bag. In this case, I would cut two strips 17.5 inches long and 5 inches wide.
Sew the two strips (right sides together) on the short ends using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Press open the seam. You now have a 34-inch piece of fabric with a seam in the middle.
Next, fold the fabric in half lengthwise with right sides together and stitch with a 1/2 inch seam allowance. Turn the fabric right side out and stitch it to the bag. Fold under the raw edge a little and either loop it through the D-ring and sew it back onto itself or fold under the raw edge and sew it directly to the top side of the bag.
This updated DIY bag from jeans turned out super cute. I can't wait to use it the next time I spend a night or two away from home.
More Upcycled Projects
DIY Bag from Jeans - A Fun Way to Recycle and Repurpose Old Stuff
Equipment
- Sewing Machine
Materials
- Old pair of jeans
- Zipper to fit the inside of the jean bag
- 2 1 inch D-rings
- 1 inch black twill tape
- 1 decorative purse strap
Instructions
- Cut the leg off below the crotch of the jeans.
- Open the front seam, and pin it flat.
- Sew along the pin lines.
- After you've sewn the center, cut off the excess fabric.
- Repeat on the center of the backside of the jeans.
- Pin and sew a 1/2 inch seam on the bottom.
- Once the bottom seam is sewn, match the side seam with the bottom making a point.
- Measure 3.5 inches across and mark a line.
- Pin and sew along the line.
- Cut off the point or leave it for extra support.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Turn the back right side out and you have a boxed bottom for your bag.
- Pin one side of the zipper just inside the waistband.
- Sew that side using a navy or blue thread.
- Open the zipper and pin the other side. Sew in place.
- Cut a small piece of twill tape and slide it through the D-ring.
- Pin it to the top of the side of the bag and sew into place.
- Trim off any extra twill tape.
- Clip a decorative strap to use as your handle.
- Decide on the finished length and width.
- Split it in half and add extra for seams and attaching to the bag.
- Sew the two strips together on the short ends using 1/2 inch seam allowance.
- Press the seam open.
- Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with right sides together.
- Stitch with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.
- Turn the fabric right side out and stitch it to the bag.
- Fold under the raw edge and loop it through the D-ring and sew it back onto itself .
Mary Trampler
Is there a video we can watch for this project?
Patti Estep
Mary, I'm sorry I did not create a video for this project.
Diane Dansby
I tweaked your pattern a tiny bit.
I making the handles to fit a walker.
Instead of handles on the sides, I’m going to make two short tabs to go from front to back.
Patti Estep
Great idea Diane. Thanks for sharing.
Delisa Samuels
I absolutely love this! Do you sell these I am not craft at all 🥺 but would really love this bag. You did a great job!
Patti Estep
Thanks Delisa. I'm so happy to hear that you like it but I do not sell any of my projects. I bet you know someone who can make it for you.
Sherri
I recently used several pairs of jeans to make a denim duvet cover. I cut squares from the legs, which left the top part intact. I can't wait to make some of these bags! I may add a lining to mine though.
Patti Estep
Wow. A jean duvet cover would be fabulous. Lining the bag is a great idea too. Thanks for sharing.
Joy H
I went through many of these in high (40 yrs ago). Mom made them but only used one leg because smaller purses were ‘in’. Later I bought the larger size at a thrift shop, it was even lined! Still hand made. Thanks for bringing back fond memories.
Patti Estep
Thanks for your sharing your experience Joy.