Monday, September 19

Stashbusting - Jeans upcycled into fun purse

In this project, all my favorite things: denim, a cute purse, upcycling, awesome fabrics and even beads! It's no secret, I love making purses and I looove a challenge. A couple of months ago, one of my friends sent me a few ripped jeans done in by her children after I ran out of old jeans. The first transformation was the twirl skirt for Bug. This is the second pair, which had been cropped just below the knee before landing in my stash, so there was no extra to work with. 
The little embroidered flowers gave me the color scheme : denim + pink + chocolate brown. 
 


I did some stash diving and pulled out this lovely pink and chocolate damask style print I grabbed a while ago from the remnant bin at JoAnn's and a piece of leftover denim from my bike basket yielded the bottom piece and the shoulder strap.


I cropped the pants a bit below the crotch and recreated a straight seam after cutting off the excess fabric. Then I cut a piece of denim to make the bottom of a bucket shape bag.


 

Then I made the lining using the same measurements with the damask, adding 2 inside pockets from the  last of the pant legs. Yes it's been used to the last scrap. 



I generally put magnetic snaps for handbag closures but for a bucket bag it didn't really work out so I opted for a draw-string closure made with ribbon and beads. 

Old ripped jeans : zero dollars
Ribbon and fabrics from my stash... hmm about $3 dollars

Giving new life to old jeans : priceless!




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28 comments:

  1. I love this idea, and I think my daughter will too! Thanks for sharing!

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  2. This is fantastic!
    I was only thinking last night about making a bag from jeans, but I don't think I would have come up with anything as good as your's. I love the drawstring closure, very clever.

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  3. What a great idea to use jeans for! I love the fabric on the inside! I have a party going on over at my blog if you want to join! I'd love to have you! Check it out under the "Stache Party" page on my blog: mylilpumpkinpatch.blogspot.com

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  4. I love this!!! Great way to reuse! And so cute! Stopping by from the GG&G party!

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  5. I love this purse! Great colours inside the bag - and the drawstring closure is a great idea!


    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit! Remember the voting is now open – if you want to head over and vote for your project! The most voted link will get a full post feature/promotion next week!
    Hope you have a great week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    Round Tuit 67 voting

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  6. That is adorable! Love the lining fabric too...great job!

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  7. This is SUPER CUTE! I love the lining, too. Great quality work. I also am into re-using and up cycling old things. I recently made a lunch tote out of jeans. Check it out at www.igottacreate.com.

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  8. Fun Share...I remember doing this when I was in High School...upcycled awesomeness! Pop Art Minis

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  9. How cute is this.... it looks great hanging outside as well, it would be great to store garden tools also.

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  10. A really clever idea - love the lining too

    Jill

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  11. Loved the pink and brown you used for the lining.

    Jean purses are great and I think they hold up forever. I know mine have.

    Karan

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  12. Super cute idea. I am your newest follower. Feel free to check out my site and follow me back here: www.utahcountymom.com

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  13. Another amazing creation. Perfect way to re-use a pair of jeans and what a fun and stylish bag!

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  14. precioso, reciclado, y único, me ha encantado, enhorabuena.
    me gustaría seguirte, pero en este momento no me deja, así que lo seguiré intentando. besos

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  15. Such a cute little bag! You did a great job, especially since you're rockin' with the stashbustin' this month. Hats off to you, I just couldn't do it. I had too many birthdays to prepare for. Great job!

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  16. This is just adorable! I am a collector of bags, and would love to learn how to thread my sewing machine so I could make one of these! :)

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  17. Love this bag- Awesome. I featured it today. Come grab check it out and grab a button!

    http://kim-toomuchtimeonmyhands.blogspot.com/2011/09/good-morning-sunshine_26.html

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  18. This is so cute--I love the lining. Thanks for linking up to Share the Love Wednesday!
    Mary

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  19. Very cute! I love to do stuff with old denim. It's one of my favorite things:) I'm a new follower from Round Tuit.:)
    everydaygameplan.net

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  20. So cute! Now I know what to do with all the jeans the kids wear out!

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  21. This is great! I would love to do this as a little play purse for my daughter made out of her old shorts ...but Im not that skilled with a sewing machine. I would love it if you would stop by and share this at my linky party!
    http://everything-underthemoon.blogspot.com/2011/09/bedazzle-me-monday-1.html

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  22. What a great project! :) I've featured this post on Craft Gossip here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/jean-purse/

    If you would like a "featured by" button, you can grab one here:
    http://homeandgarden.craftgossip.com/grab-a-craft-gossip-button/

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  23. that purse is so pretty and you even made it from jeans! wow! thanks for sharing this with us! have a lovely weekend!


    hugs,
    Lelanie

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  24. Super cute! I would love to feature this on Reduce, Reuse, Upcycle. Feel free to stop by and grab a featured button. Thanks!

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  25. AAAHHHHH!!! This is SUPER cute/cool!! Thank you so much for sharing a fun new project for all those jeans I have saved for the upcycle! ;)

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  26. Love the bag and so love recycling of old things !! But, do have a question on how you got the bag to stand up. I have tried heavy interfacing but did not work well. Again thanks for showing off your bag.. Annie

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