Ever wonder what you can do with blue jeans that have seen better days? Favorite blue jeans may not be suitable for reuse because of all the wear and tear. But they've been a faithful friend, not complaining when you dripped chili on them at that picnic, and keeping quiet after Christmas dinner when you gave their waistband a workout. Don't ditch them, recycle them! A hole in the knee or bleach spot on the leg will only add personality to a denim pocket purse made from recycled blue jeans.
Fold one leg of blue jeans in on itself. The inside will form the purse lining. Pull the hemmed end of the jeans over the top edge of the outer layer and fold it over. This creates a lip that makes a nice finished edge for the opening of the purse. Pin the lip in place, then turn the tube inside out.
Double stitch the bottom ends of the tube to create a reinforced pocket. This is the body of the purse. Turn it right side out and sew the top opening of the purse all the way around, then remove the pins.
Cut two 18" lengths or one 30" length from the strap material. Attach the strap(s) to the purse with reinforced stitches. The photo shows a very basic style, and at this point in the project, yours should look similar. Give your purse 'purse-onality' by adding trim, patches, lace, embroidery, charms, or beads. You may also sew on the cut out pocket from the original blue jeans, or the zipper, or label, for embellishment. Whatever you use, you can be certain that your denim pocket purse will be an original.
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That is funny!
I thought you were going to write about what I did fo rmy daughter's 8th birthday party.
I litterally cut the pockets out of the jeans and had them frayed like a pair of cutoffs.
Folded/glued the top so it was neat and added a strap of the chidren's choice. We put lace around the top part of pocket to hide all the folds and glue.
They decorated the front with fabric paint/foam pieces and what every else they wanted.
I then filled them with lip stuff, gum, small brush, and other "purse" items.
The kids loved them!
EC
that is so neat, but I would think that you could do that with other fabric legs too.
Ziggee
My mom used to make me and my cousins purses out of OUR old worn blue jeans , but she used both legs and would use a belt of some type as the strap.
The seat part of old jeans can be made into a purse, and I'm sure you've seen this many times. But I'd like to point out that the softer jeans fabrics need some kind of a stiffener (lining) to give them body. Otherwise, the purse just kind of shrinks downward when you set it on a table and the contents can spill out.
By Holly
I think it would be fun to add embellishments. Parts of old crocheted doilies, broken jewelry and fabric appliques would make this purse distinctly yours. Is that a macrame handle I see? Sounds like a great idea to me!
Im 9 years old and starting desiging my own style of jean purses with recyled jeans Im excited that I started to design with my mom and nana I hope to sell many of them
Save old jeans and make all the rage now, the jeans purse. Cut jeans off at crotch and sew across. Take the straps from the legs! Sew the straps any length you wish. Add any decoration you wish and you have a one of a kind creation. I have seen these in different shops for $50 to $75 a purse!
Add a vintage brooch or hankie and old buttons, too.
By PatriciaL
If you need feet for the purse, to help it stand up, go to a luggage repair shop. They usually have them and can put them on.
I made a bag out of a jean skirt - this is easier as it is straight. I used the bottom part to make the handle and the bottom of the bag. It really looks cute.
The best thing about it I bought it from a thrifty shop for AUD$1 - bargain.
Thanks,
Linda
Hah! Good tip. Good pun, purse-onality.
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