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30+ Bags You Can Make With Up-cycled Denim Jeans

February 15, 2022 by Shellie Wilson

This roundup is all about using upcycled denim to create new things. All of these denim sewing projects are for bags and totes. Upcycling denim jeans is a great way to save money on your projects and save landfills.  Denim is durable and lasts way longer than fashion trends so next time you are throwing out your old jeans consider turning them into fabric for new and exciting sewing projects.

Start with a small tote or basic tube-style bag then expand your skills into creating something detailed and shaped.

Upcycled Blue Jeans Denim Bootie Bag Purse — CraftBits.com

DIY Denim Gypsy Purse — CraftBits.com

DIY Up-cycled Denim Lunch Tote — CraftBits.com 

Recycled Denim: Make a Gorgeous Gypsy Purse — CraftBits.com

Make a Chalk Bag : 10 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables

Cargo jeans Pocket Purse

Old Jeans to Adult Coloring Pencil Bag — CraftBits.com 

Denim Eyelet Tote Bag 

Backpack Pattern

Bootie Bag 

DIY Upcycled Frayed Denim Pouch — Curly Made

How to make a large denim tote bag – VickyMyersCreations

Upcycled Jeans Tote Bag Pattern and Tutorial – Sew Very Crafty

Denim Wine Bag 

Boro Denim Bag Tutorial 

Did you know these fun denim facts?

In America, the typical person owns seven pairs of jeans.
Every year, 20,000 tonnes of indigo are manufactured for the dyeing of jeans.
Denim is thought to have initially been created in Genoa, Italy, in the 1500s. It was designed to be worn by the Italian navy when on duty.
Denim has been around for hundreds of years, but it became associated with a revolt among young people in the 1960s.
A single bale of cotton can produce 225 pairs of jeans.
In the United States, around 450 million pairs of jeans are sold each year.

 

Redfly Creations: Messenger Bag from a Pair of Jeans

Christie Chase: #156…denim vacation tote 

Denim snack bag :: a recycling project

Recycled Jean Purse Tutorial

How to Upcycle Your Jeans into Pillows and Bags – Brit + Co

Denim Jeans Tote Bag Tutorial

Penny Rugs and More: Flat Felled Seam Denim Bag Tutorial

Meggy Cozy | Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories 

DIY Bag from Jeans – A Fun Way to Recycle and Repurpose Old Stuff

DIY Market Bag Made from Old Jeans

Yoga Mat Bag

DIY Denim bags from old jeans: 3 easy to make ideas – Sew Guide

When it comes to working with denim, there are a few tips to keep in mind. First, denim is a heavy and sturdy material, so it’s important to use a sharp needle and a denim or denim-specific thread. This will help prevent your sewing machine from getting jammed and will ensure that your seams are strong and durable.

Another tip for working with denim is to pre-wash it before you begin your project. Denim can shrink quite a bit after the first wash, so it’s important to pre-wash it before you start cutting and sewing. This will also help to soften up the fabric and make it easier to work with.

Upcycling denim jeans can be a fun and creative way to repurpose old clothing. Here are a few tips for upcycling denim jeans:

Check for stains or rips before you begin. If the denim is too stained or ripped, it may not be suitable for upcycling.

Take a look at the fit of the jeans. If they’re too big or too small, you may need to make adjustments before you start your project.

Think about the color of the denim. If it’s a light color, you may want to consider dyeing it before you start your project.

Consider the weight of the denim. If it’s a heavy weight, you may want to consider using it for a bag or a jacket. If it’s a lighter weight, it may be better suited for a skirt or a scarf.

Upcycled Denim Fold Over Clutch Tutorial – Melly Sews 

https://alittlecraftinyourday.com/diy-denim-pouch/ 

Water Bottle Carrier with adjustable strap – a tutorial 

Just Crafty Enough – Iron Craft Challenge #14 – Denim Armrest Project Bag 

Upcycled Denim Triangle Shoulder Bag – a tutorial

How to Make A Very Simple Tote Bag FOR BEGINNERS 

More amazing denim bag tutorials on Etsy

 

Looking for more ways to use Recycled Denim in craft projects?

Check out this book featuring 10 other ways to use Denim jeans.

 

Next Pattern:

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