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    Home » DIY Projects

    DIY Bag from Jeans

    March 6, 2019 by Patti Estep 8 Comments

    Jump to How-to Card
    Bag made from jeans with colorful strap.
    Jean bag with multi-colored strap

    This DIY bag from jeans is the perfect weekender bag that's easy to make and only requires some basic sewing skills to create.

    Handmade weekender denim bag

    I remember making a purse from old jeans in the late '70s and thought it might be fun to bring back this fun easy recycled craft.

    This post contains some affiliate links (that means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, there's no additional cost to you, but I will earn a very small commission. ) i.e. as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

    How to Make a Jean Bag

    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
    Jeans with legs cut off

    I have several pairs of old jeans in my stash. This pair had wide legs that are no longer in style so I used them to make a weekender bag. You can also use the denim from the legs to create cute denim placemats.

    Step 1 - Cut off the legs

    Because you will want to make a bottom for this bag you'll want to cut the leg off below the crotch to give yourself as much material to work with as you can.

    jean shorts pinned

    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.

    Sewing the front placket

    After you've sewn the center cut off the excess fabric.

    Sewing the back center seam

    Repeat on the center of the backside of the jeans.

    pinned bottom hem

    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.

    Measuring tape on bottom of jean bag

    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.

    Ouside of box bottom of jean bag

    Turn the back right side out and you can now see that you have a nice boxed bottom for your bag.

    Basic jean bag

    Here's what the basic finished back looks like.

    Pinning zipper inside jean bag

    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.

    Zipper sewn in jean bag top

    I used a fun 16-inch craft zipper but the size will depend on how big or small your jeans are.

    D-rings and twill tape

    Step 6 - Add Rings to Attach a Strap

    Cut a small piece of twill tape and slide it through the D-ring. 

    Sewn D-ring onto jean bag

    Pin it to the top of the side of the bag and sew into place. Trim off any extra twill tape.

    Open denim bag with strap

    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 texture. 

    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 together (right sides together) on the short ends using 1/2 inch seam allowance. Press open the seam open. 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.

    Back side of diy bag from jeans

    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.

    Patti signature

    More Upcycle Projects

    • DIY Jean Crossbody Bag
    • Denim Placemat Set
    • Ear Warmer Headband & Mittens

    Click Here to Save to Pinterest!

    Open denim bag with strap
    Print
    4.34 from 3 votes

    DIY Bag from Jeans - A Fun Way to Recycle and Repurpose Old Stuff

    You only need basic sewing skills to create a great weekender bag that's made from old jeans. It's not only easy to make, but it's inexpensive too!
    Prep Time15 mins
    Active Time45 mins
    Total Time1 hr
    Course: DIY Projects
    Yield: 1 Jean Bag
    Author: Patti Estep
    Cost: $10

    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 open 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 .

     

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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Diane Dansby

      March 31, 2022 at 1:37 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        March 31, 2022 at 1:56 pm

        Great idea Diane. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    2. Delisa Samuels

      July 16, 2020 at 1:12 pm

      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!

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        July 16, 2020 at 1:16 pm

        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.

        Reply
    3. Sherri

      January 06, 2020 at 12:30 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        January 06, 2020 at 2:15 pm

        Wow. A jean duvet cover would be fabulous. Lining the bag is a great idea too. Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
    4. Joy H

      December 12, 2019 at 2:01 pm

      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.

      Reply
      • Patti Estep

        December 12, 2019 at 3:21 pm

        Thanks for your sharing your experience Joy.

        Reply

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