DIY denim tote bag from recycled jeans!

Hello Friends!

It's been a while since our last post but now we are back with many many new DIY projects. Lately we have been busy making cool accessories for the summer. Today we are showing you a lovely DIY denim bag we made out of left overs from cut-off denim shorts. The crochet like lace gives to the bag a romantic and boho touch. This lovely bag is so great and easy to sew. We loved the whole process, we hope you like the result! 

 

So, lets get started. You will need a denim fabric or left over denim scraps and for the lining I used a quilted fabric to add some stability in the bag. For decorating your bag you can use anything extra you may like. I used crochet lace and some handmade drops. Just to let you know the denim pieces I used in this bag are the left overs from a denim pant that I turned it into shorts. This blog is about clothes recycling after all.

Lets make the shape of our bag. Lay out your fabric and draw with a pen the shape of your bag.  I made the bag in oval shape. Then cut out the fabric following the shape you have drawn and stitch it. 

 

For the lining of our bag we will make an exact same bag in smaller size than our denim bag. The point is to put this lining bag inside our denim bag.

We place the two pieces of lining inside out and we stitch them all around except from the upper part. 

Lets go back to our denim bag to decorate it. I placed the crochet like lace on the bag and I stitched it carefully. So simple and nice! 

After stitching the lace we place the lining-bag inside our denim bag. Do not forget to insert it with the rights sides facing one another. Now it's time to install our magnetic button closure.

You can find many tutorials on the web on how to place a magnetic snap. I will try to explain you how to place it as I don't have photos. The magnetic snaps are attached to the lining of the bags.To avoid tearing through the lining fabric with wear, you will have to place an interfacing fabric. Just a little square of fusible fabric is enough. So, at the center of the lining's wrong side (very important), place a little square of fusible interfacing fabric and iron it. For your info, a complete magnetic snap has two sides and each side has two parts. Take a snap (the one with the vertical slits) and mark on the interface where you want to place it. Cut the slits with a sharp blade or with sharp scissors to mark the area. Push the snap tabs through the holes of the lining place back the snap (with the slits) and push the tabs apart (in outward direction). Repeat the same process for the other piece of lining. 

 

Now, it is time to attach the handles. For this bag I used a pants belt that I didn't wear anymore. 

So it was really easy the whole process. I measured the desired length and cut it. Then I attached the handles to both sides of the bag and my bag was ready!

P.S :  Many thanks to my beautiful model FKappou for her contribution to our blog.

Kisses,

Tailor Spy