Making a blue jean purse is a fun way to recycle clothes. This article includes step by step instructions for making a work of art.
The first step is to decide the size of purse you want. If you want to you can make a purse out of an old pair of your jeans. If you have children who have worn out the knees or outgrown their jeans, you can make a smaller purse. Make sure whatever pair you use is clean.
Next cut the legs off the jeans about one half inch below the crotch. Save the legs for the straps. Turn the jeans inside out and use a machine to sew the front and back of the cut off sections together. Make sure the seams are in line with the crotch and each other. It is wise to make two seams parallel to each other. If one seam comes open, the second should hold and prevent all your belongings from spilling out.
Now take the legs of the jeans. Measure the length you want to have for a shoulder or arm strap. For a shoulder strap, about 32 inches should suffice. For an arm strap, about 24 inches should be long enough. The length should be adjusted based on height and whether you want a strap that can go over your neck, or just over your shoulder. While 32 or 24 inches may sound very long, remember that you have a seam allowance, and the strap is doubled.
Cut 2 strips approximately 4 inches wide, and the length you have chosen for your strap. For example, 4 X 32 or 4 X 24. After cutting them out, place them right side together and sew down the length of one side, then the other. Make sure to leave an end open so you can turn your strap right side out.
To turn the strap right side out, treat it as if it were a sock that is inside out. Push the closed end into the center, then using either a ruler, or other long implement; continue to push until the closed seam end emerges from the open end. Then continue to work the strap until it has completely turned right side out. Then iron the seams to make them flat.
The next step may be hard for your sewing machine, so go slowly. The thickness of the fabric can cause the machine needle to break, so be careful. Pin one end of the strap inside the waistband of the jeans. If there's no waistband, it will be easier to sew. Make sure you have at least one half an inch of the strap to sew down. The strap needs to be anchored firmly to the top. Pin the other end directly opposite the first.
Carefully sew a seam at the bottom of one end, stitching it to the purse. Turn the fabric diagonally with the needle still in the fabric and sew a seam equal to the length of the first. Again turn the fabric to sew a line parallel to the first. At the end of that seam, leave the needle in the fabric and sew a diagonal line back to the start of the first seam. You will have what looks like an X with a line above and below it. Now go over the same seams again to reinforce them, but sew slightly to one side of the first line to avoid weakening the fabric. Repeat this process with the other end of the strap, being sure to go slowly.
The purse will be ready to use as is, or use your own creative ideas to decorate it. To close the purse, you can use a ribbon, belt, rope, or another blue jean strap. Use fabric paint, patches, silk flowers, or other items to individualize your creation.
