Recycled blue jean crafts are fun to create and easy to sew. A very simple pattern is one that makes a purse from a front and back pocket. This purse is a smaller version of the more common blue jean purse that uses the entire upper portion of the blue jeans. A larger purse is not always wanted nor needed. Sew this smaller version of the denim purse in less than 30 minutes.
Things You’ll Need:
Old blue jeans
Scissors
Straight pins
Sewing machine
Thread
Iron
Ironing board
Instructions:
Step 1 – Place the old blue jeans on a flat work surface. Smooth out all wrinkles with your hands.
Step 2 – Cut the left leg off blue jeans just above the center crotch seam. Cut up the crotch seam and to the left of the zipper. Continue the cut through the waistband.
Step 3 – Turn the blue jean section over. Cut along the right hand side of the back center seam and through the waistband.
Step 4 – Unfold the section. Refold so the front of the blue jeans is now on the inside of the rectangle.
Step 5 – Pin along the cut edges. Sew a straight seam approximately ¼-inch from the cut edge. Make a second straight seam ½-inch from the cut edge.
Step 6 – Clip the corners on the bottom edge of the pocket purse at a 45 degree angle. This helps the bottom of the purse to lay flat when turned.
Step 7 – Press the seams so they lay up against one side of the purse. You cannot press the double stitched seam open like in most sewing projects.
Step 8 – Turn the pocket purse right side out.
Step 9 – Cut three strips of blue jeans from the legs that are 1-inch wide and the length of the leg. These three strips are used for the purse handle.
Step 10 – Place the three strips on top of one another. Sew a ¼-inch seal along one short edge. Turn the sewn seam and insert the needle through the center of the seam. The long length of the cut strips should be pointing toward you. Put the pressure foot down.
Step 11 – Braid the three strips. Pin the bottom of the braid together.
Step 12 – Remove the braid from the sewing machine. Sew a ¼-inch seam along the pinned edge of the braid.
Step 13 – Position the braided handle on both sides of the purse. Overlap the edge of the pocket purse 1 ½-inches with each side of the handle. Pin the handle in place.
Step 14 – Sew the handle to the purse. Line the right side of the pressure foot up with the outside edge of the braid. Sew around the outside edge of the braid, the bottom, opposite edge and top. Repeat the process with the opposite end of the handle.
Add embellishments to the homemade purse such as a 1-inch ribbon placed through the belt loops, puffy paint designs or sew buttons or patches to the purse surface.