So, my favorite jeans were finally unfit to wear in public anymore. The lower legs were still in really good shape, so I decided to utilize my pathetic sewing skills to make something out of them. I also had some scraps of pink lace, table covering from our Prevention Project 80's night. I decided to make a little clutch purse out of them.
I bought a zipper the same color as the lace, and matching thread. I cut a leg off at about the knee, and sliced it along one seam and trimmed off the bottom hem. I saved that to create a strap. I cut a piece of lace about a half inch larger than the denim on each side, lined it up over the outside of the jean and then folded it inside-out. I hand sewed both sides with a running stitch, then doubled back to make sure that it was strong. I then turned it right side out to reveal a rectangular bag. I then create a gusset by turning the corners up about an inch and tacking them into place. This helps the bag to stand up and to retain its shape once I cram all my stuff in it. I folded the excess lace over each side of the top and sewed that down.
Next came the really tricky part--the zipper. I used fabric glue to stick it onto the first side. Once that dried, I sewed over it with a running stitch. I then glued the other side in, carefully lining it up. That dried and I sewed that too. (Note: The zipper was originally too long for my project. I followed the package directions to shorten it).
The strap was made by fashioning the jeans hem into a loop and sewing it in. It seemed a little weak, so I added some glue to strengthen it. I then cut the button off the jeans and sewed it to the outside of the bag for decoration.
I love how it turned out. It is so roomy for its size and very cute. I am now using the other leg of the jeans to create a bigger bag--and using the back pockets and the change pocket as inside pockets for the inside of the bag. If it turns out well, I will let you know!
I bought a zipper the same color as the lace, and matching thread. I cut a leg off at about the knee, and sliced it along one seam and trimmed off the bottom hem. I saved that to create a strap. I cut a piece of lace about a half inch larger than the denim on each side, lined it up over the outside of the jean and then folded it inside-out. I hand sewed both sides with a running stitch, then doubled back to make sure that it was strong. I then turned it right side out to reveal a rectangular bag. I then create a gusset by turning the corners up about an inch and tacking them into place. This helps the bag to stand up and to retain its shape once I cram all my stuff in it. I folded the excess lace over each side of the top and sewed that down.
Next came the really tricky part--the zipper. I used fabric glue to stick it onto the first side. Once that dried, I sewed over it with a running stitch. I then glued the other side in, carefully lining it up. That dried and I sewed that too. (Note: The zipper was originally too long for my project. I followed the package directions to shorten it).
The strap was made by fashioning the jeans hem into a loop and sewing it in. It seemed a little weak, so I added some glue to strengthen it. I then cut the button off the jeans and sewed it to the outside of the bag for decoration.
I love how it turned out. It is so roomy for its size and very cute. I am now using the other leg of the jeans to create a bigger bag--and using the back pockets and the change pocket as inside pockets for the inside of the bag. If it turns out well, I will let you know!
