How To Sew A Denim Tote Bag From Old Jeans

Sewing a bag out of denim and scrap fabrics has never been this easy! Thanks to wandee easy sewing via YouTube for this fun and easy project that’s perfect for both experts and beginners in sewing. If you want in on this fun, then grab and collect all of your scrap denim and old jeans, and start sewing this cute tote bag.

Materials:

• 1 old jeans
• Scrap old jeans
• 8 pcs. size 3/8″ x 4 7/8″ of lace
• 1 pc. each size 4″ x 42 ½ ” of fusible interfacing, batting 220 gm., lining fabric
• 2 pcs. each size 2 ¾ x 20 of strap old jeans and fusible interfacing
• 2 pcs. each size 16 ¼ ” x 14 ” of fusible interfacing, batting 220 gm., lining fabric
• 1 pc. size 11 ” x 10 ” of fabric and fusible interfacing
• 2 pcs. each size 2 ¾” x 20″ of fusible interfacing, lining fabric
• 2 pcs. label
• 1 pc. magnetic button

Directions:

Sewing the body of the bag

Step 1: Take scrap old jeans and cut out 2 x 4 ½ inches rectangles in a total of 24 pieces. Then, chose 3 different shades or colors of the denim jeans and stack the first two together with their right sides facing each other, then sew one side with ¼ seam allowance, open the fabric then attach the other fabric piece on the other side by stacking it with their right sides facing and sew with ¼ seam allowance. Open the seams at the back and press with an iron to flatten them nicely, press the front of the fabric as well. Proceed to do this to the other scrap fabrics and you’ll end up with a total of 8 pieces of squares.

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Step 2: Get the old jeans, then cut 8 pieces of 4 ½ x 4 7/8 inches, 4 pieces of 3 x 16¼ inches, and 1 piece of 4 x 42½ inches. First, get the 8 pcs of 4 1/2 x 4 7/8 inches, then put and sew a lace about 2 inches away from the edge of the fabric, trim the excess lace. Then, get the scrap square fabric, and arrange them alternately with the laced ones in 4 rows and 4 columns, starting from the top row, sew every 2 pairs together at the back with a ¼ inch seam allowance, then stack their right sides together and sew them at the center together, then press flatly. Do this at the lower row other as well, then join them together and press nicely. Now, take the 2 pieces of 3 x 16 ¼ inches, then sew them at the top and bottom of the quilted fabric, press at the back and at the front nicely.

Step 3: Get fusible interfacing that matches its size then lay it at the back of the bag and press with an iron, take the batting of a similar size, then spray the back with glue, place the sewn denim on top and flatten nicely with your hands, then sew around with a ¼ inch allowance, trim the excess if needed. Now that you have one side of the bag, assemble the other side as well.

Sewing the handle and bottom of the bag

Step 1: Get the strap of old jeans, then attach fusible interfacing at the back, press, then fold in half lengthwise and press as you go. Open the fabric, then fold each side in half towards the center crease and press, then fold them in half again at the old crease then press and clip into place, sew them in place, then do this to the other pair. Get the body of the bag, fold in half and get the midpoint, mark 2 ½ inches from each side of the midpoint, sew a label about 2 inches below the midpoint, then sew the handle at the mark on each side of the midpoint. Simply repeat the process with the other handle.

Step 2: To make the bottom of the bag, get 1 piece of 4 x 42½ inches strap old jeans and fusible interfacing, press them together, then place the batting at the back as well and sew around with a ¼ seam allowance. Mark 8 inches from the edge, rotate 90 degrees, then mark ¾ inch from the edge of each side, connect and make a line from that mark to the 8-inch line diagonally on both sides, cut those outside triangle marks, then repeat the process on the other end of the fabric, fold get the midpoint and draw a line.

Step 3: Curve the bottom of the bag evenly, then fold get the midpoint, and place the bottom of the bag around the bottom and sides, make sure to match the edges with their right sides facing each other, clip in place then sew around. Place the other side of the bag upside down so that the right sides are facing each other, clip the edges in place and sew around, turn the whole bag right side out and poke the corners nicely.

Sewing the pocket and lining fabric of the bag

For the pocket, get the 4″ x 42½ lining fabric, then press a fusible at the back, fold over in half right sides facing each other, then leave a 3-inch gap and sew around with a ¼ seam allowance, cut the curves diagonally, then tuck the seams of the gap and press, fold and get the midpoint, then draw a line. Next, get the 16¼ ” x 14 ” lining fabric, curve the bottom edges, fold and get the midpoint, then mark the top 3½ inches from the edge. Put the pocket on that mark, then sew the outer edge and midpoint line, assemble and sew the lining fabric together with the same way as you sew the outer denim bag, leaving a 7-inch gap to turn the fabric later. With the lining fabric still unturned, insert the denim bag in the lining fabric,  then sew and join the top together. Once done sewing, turn the bag to its right side out through the 7-inch gap, hand stitch that gap close then tuck in the lining fabric and poke the sides nicely, pin the top in place then press together. Lastly, sew a magnetic button at the top center of the bag.

*All these images are credited to wandee easy sewing via YouTube. Give her channel a visit and subscribe for more!

How To Sew A Denim Tote Bag From Old Jeans