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Jimmie's Collage

lifestyle blog of a single mom who works from home

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Denim Jeans Tote Bag Tutorial

June 30, 2011 By Jimmie Quick 25 Comments

denim tote done
Finished Denim Tote Bag

Tuesday of Sprite’s camp week turned out to be a very crafty day. One of my projects was turning a couple of pairs of jeans (plus a few other sewing notions) into a cute tote bag, based on the tutorial at Crafting a Green World.

Start with eight rectangles, each 13 x 5 inches. I used pinking shears to cut out the pieces and kept the side seam detail on some of the pieces.

denim tote pieces ready to sew

Then layer the pieces and top stitch them together. The idea is that as I use and wash it, the bag will become a bit raveled along those raw edges. (I love the worn spot at the top where Sprite’s knee used to fit into those darker jeans.)

denim tote strips pinned

Here are my two side panels, sewn and embellished.

denim tote sides sewn

I have only a few decorative stitches on my machine, but they added quite a bit of interest to the project.

denim tote stitch detail

The daisy trim is something I found at a yard sale. I love having an assortment of laces, trims, and notions to choose from on a project like this.

denim tote trim detail

denim tote iron open seams

The next step is to sew right sides together and iron open the seams. Then I added the bottom. This step is a bit tricky. Start with the center of the long sides of the bottom, pinning them to the centers of the side panels. Work outwards from the center, pinning as you go. Mine didn’t measure exactly at the ends, but I made it work. There are a few puckers. But for a repurposed bag, I think small imperfections add character.

denim tote pin on bottom

This is the bottom, seen from the right side.

denim tote bottom sewn

The directions at Crafting a Green World suggest leaving the top unfinished, but I felt that it just needed something. Hobby Lobby to the rescue. I found some fun bandanna inspired ribbon that I used like double fold bias tape to encase the top edge.

denim tote with ribbon trim pinned

For the straps, I sewed on the waistbands from two pairs of pants. Simply trim the waistbands very close to the finished edge. There will be some fraying, but it should add to the relaxed look of the bag.

denim tote done

What do you think?

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Filed Under: crafts Tagged With: denim, how to, jeans, repurposing, sewing, tutorial

Comments

  1. Diana says

    June 30, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    I LOVE this. I’m always looking for ways to repurpose stuff. This is perfect. Thanks for the idea and the tutorial!

    Reply
  2. Melissa says

    July 1, 2011 at 2:07 am

    This is a great tote! Might be just what I need to do with that pile of jeans in my sewing stash. Great job.

    Reply
  3. ChristyH says

    July 1, 2011 at 5:58 am

    Super cute and a great idea.

    Reply
  4. Deanne says

    July 1, 2011 at 7:12 am

    What do I think? I think I love it! It makes me smile to see your sewing projects. I can feel your pleasure as you explain and describe the process. {{{hugs}}}

    Reply
  5. Julie says

    July 1, 2011 at 8:02 am

    I want one too! I might be able to do this. I *think* I’m a crafty person and I sometimes “wing it” on craft projects. I love the handles with the buttons and button holes. I also love how the pink pops out from the denim. Beautiful Jimmie!

    Reply
  6. Cindy says

    July 1, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    Here’s my denim recycled jean bag:

    http://love2learn2day.blogspot.com/2011/01/made-me-math-bag.html

    I love the way you used trim on yours. It’s beautiful! 🙂

    Reply
  7. Cindy says

    July 1, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    Thanks. 🙂 I think of myself as anything BUT crafty, so it was a major feat. I love, love how pretty yours is. 😉

    Reply
  8. See Jamie blog says

    July 1, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    Jimmie, I adore this!

    Reply
  9. amy in peru says

    July 1, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    I miss you and wish we were neighbors. Micah was remembering your hubby today in conversation 🙂

    oh, and I like your bag too 😉

    amy

    Reply
  10. amy in peru says

    July 1, 2011 at 11:47 pm

    oh and don’t you want to link up to this on the CM blog carnival – handicrafts?! 🙂

    Reply
  11. MarshaMarshaMarsha says

    July 2, 2011 at 1:42 am

    you are so brave with your contrasting decorative stitching! i usually go with thread that blends in bc i can’t seem to cut or sew straight.

    Reply
  12. Kendra says

    July 2, 2011 at 5:33 am

    I think I’m jealous you have access to Hobby Lobby! 😉 Your bag is very cute though. 😀

    Reply
  13. Natasha says

    July 2, 2011 at 10:41 am

    That is so cute! I’m making a note of this one for a future handicrafts projects. My girls can never have too many bags (as far as they’re concerned – their father has his own opinion!).

    Reply
  14. Tracey says

    July 4, 2011 at 11:25 am

    This is awesome!

    Reply
  15. Sparklee says

    July 8, 2011 at 3:30 pm

    FUN! What a great project! I’m intimidated by sewing, but this seems simple enough for me. And I know I’ve got some old jeans that need to be repurposed!

    Reply
  16. Jo says

    August 23, 2011 at 2:22 pm

    Anna loves her Jimmie bag – thank you!

    Reply
    • Jimmie says

      August 23, 2011 at 2:42 pm

      You know everything is fodder for the blog. Guess you’re not surprised to see my sewing projects here.

      Reply
  17. se28152 says

    May 27, 2012 at 8:43 pm

    Loving this. Definitely giving it a try!

    Reply
  18. Emily says

    December 23, 2012 at 9:51 am

    I luv this tutorial. I added a lining inside the tote bag. Thnx!

    Reply
    • Betsy says

      December 28, 2012 at 1:24 pm

      Emily,

      My daughter and I would love to see a picture of your bag.

      Reply
  19. claudette says

    April 11, 2016 at 1:31 pm

    Hi how are you ,Ive been making some bags but ive been putting in some lining in them. I’m afraid of the fraying that is why i put lining in them . Is their another way I can do that without the lining. I need your sugestion thank you

    Reply
  20. sewandsew granny says

    June 9, 2016 at 1:25 pm

    Will this be strong enough for a grocery bag? I;m talking to my daughter and she has the idea of making it double thick, then cutting up an old windshield sun guard and inserting it in between the two pieces of denim to insulate cold/frozen items when shopping.

    Reply
  21. Joyce says

    March 30, 2018 at 8:55 am

    Great ideal! I have a military store. I am going to use military pants and make these pocket books. I think my customers will go nuts for them! Thanks Joyce

    Reply
  22. Marcy says

    July 26, 2020 at 3:15 pm

    I love it! Is the bottom piece the same size ? 13×5? Thank you.

    Reply
  23. Kim says

    October 26, 2021 at 2:13 pm

    What a great idea with using vertical pieces! Who da thunk? I’ll be taking your lead with that to make a sturdy bag. Only the bag will be masculine, using my husband’s old jeans for his music book bag.

    Reply

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jimmie lanley
So glad you clicked over. You are welcome here. I'm Jimmie, a single, work from home mom of one teen.

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