2 ideas denim tote bag and cosmetic bag from scrap old jeans👜✂

Making new items out of old jeans is a fantastic way to be creative and sustainable. Using denim scraps is particularly satisfying, as even the smallest pieces can be repurposed into beautiful and functional accessories. Here are two detailed ideas for sewing a denim tote bag and a cosmetic bag from your scrap old jeans.

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Idea 1: The Scrap Denim Tote Bag

This tote is a great "everyday" bag, perfect for groceries, books, or a trip to the market. The patchwork design allows you to use a variety of denim scraps and washes, creating a truly unique and visually interesting exterior.

I. Planning and Materials

• Denim Scraps: A variety of sizes, shapes, and washes. The more variation you have, the more interesting your final patchwork will be.

• Lining Fabric: About 1 yard of sturdy cotton (quilting cotton, canvas, or even an old sheet) for the interior.

• Interfacing: Medium-weight fusible interfacing to give the bag structure. About 1 yard.

• Webbing for Handles: Two pieces of cotton or polypropylene webbing, 1 inch wide and 26 inches long.

• Matching Thread: All-purpose thread for piecing and a heavier topstitching thread for a professional finish.

• Tools: Sewing machine (with a denim needle, size 16 or 18), fabric scissors, ruler, pins or clips, and an iron.

II. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Create the Patchwork Panels

• Piece your scraps together: Lay out your denim scraps and decide on a design. A simple grid of squares or a pattern of vertical stripes works well.

• Sew with a 1/4-inch seam allowance: Stitch the denim scraps together, right sides facing. After each seam, press the seam allowance open to reduce bulk.

• Form the main panels: Continue piecing until you have two panels, each at least 15 inches wide by 13 inches tall. Trim them to this exact size.

• Form the side/bottom band: Piece scraps together to form a long strip that is at least 35 inches long by 5 inches tall. Trim this panel to size.

2. Cut the Remaining Fabric

• Lining: Cut two pieces of lining fabric at 15 x 13 inches for the main body and one at 35 x 5 inches for the side/bottom band.

• Interfacing: Cut pieces to match the size of all your denim panels and fuse them to the wrong side of the denim according to the manufacturer's instructions.

3. Assemble the Bag Exterior

• Attach the handles: On one of your patchwork panels, mark spots 4 inches in from each side along the top edge. Place the ends of one webbing handle on these marks, aligned with the raw edge. Stitch securely with a box stitch (square with an "X") inside the 1/2-inch seam allowance. Repeat for the second handle on the second patchwork panel.

• Create the bag body: Fold the long side/bottom band into a loop and stitch the short ends together. Now, with right sides facing, pin one of the main patchwork panels to the side/bottom band, starting at the bottom center. Stitch all the way around with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, clipping into the seam allowance of the band at the corners to help it curve. Repeat with the second main panel.

4. Assemble the Bag Interior

• Lining: Create the lining shell in the same way as the exterior, but leave a 5-inch opening in the bottom seam of the lining panel. This is crucial for turning the bag right side out.

5. Combine and Finish the Bag

• Insert the exterior into the lining: Turn the denim exterior right-side out and the lining inside-out. Place the denim bag inside the lining bag so their right sides are facing. Align the top raw edges and all seams. Pin or clip securely.

• Stitch the top: Sew all the way around the top edge with a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

• Turn and close: Pull the entire bag right-side out through the opening in the lining. Push out the corners and seams. Press the seam allowances of the opening in the lining and stitch it closed by hand or machine.

• Topstitch: For a professional, polished look, topstitch around the entire top opening of the bag, about 1/4 inch from the edge.

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Idea 2: The Ruffle Denim Cosmetic Bag

This small, charming cosmetic bag is a great way to use smaller denim scraps and create an elegant, textured piece. The ruffle detail adds a feminine and unique touch.

I. Planning and Materials

• Denim Scraps: A variety of washes. You'll need enough to create two panels and a few strips for the ruffles.

• Lining Fabric: About 1/2 yard of cotton fabric.

• Interfacing: Medium-weight fusible interfacing.

• Zipper: A 9-inch nylon coil zipper.

• Tools: Sewing machine (with a zipper foot and a denim needle), fabric scissors, ruler, pins or clips, and an iron.

II. Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Create the Patchwork Panels

• Piece the main panels: Use your scraps to create two panels, each at least 10 inches wide by 7 inches tall. Trim them to this size.

• Cut the lining: Cut two lining panels to match the size of the denim panels.

• Fuse the interfacing: Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of all your denim and lining panels.

2. Prepare and Attach the Ruffles

• Cut ruffle strips: Cut a few strips of denim, each about 2 inches wide. For a layered effect, cut them in different lengths (e.g., one at 20 inches, one at 15 inches).

• Hem the strips: Fold one long edge of each strip over by 1/4 inch twice and sew to create a neat hem.

• Gather the ruffles: On the raw edge of each strip, sew two lines of gathering stitches (the longest stitch length on your machine). Gently pull the threads to gather the strips to the desired length.

• Attach the ruffles: Lay one denim panel right-side up. Arrange the gathered ruffles across the panel, starting from the bottom and overlapping them. Pin and sew them in place by stitching along the gathering lines.

3. Install the Zipper

• Pin the zipper: Lay the patchwork panel with the ruffles right-side up. Place the zipper face down along the top edge. Pin securely. Place one lining panel on top, right-side down, aligning all three raw edges.

• Sew the zipper: Using your zipper foot, sew a seam down the pinned edge. Open the fabric and press.

• Repeat on the other side: Take the second patchwork panel and second lining panel and attach them to the other side of the zipper in the same way.

• Topstitch: For a finished look, topstitch along the zipper on the denim side.

4. Assemble the Bag and Finish

• Open the zipper: Be sure to open the zipper halfway before the next step!

• Pin all layers: Fold the bag so the two denim panels are right sides facing and the two lining panels are right sides facing. Align the seams. Pin all the way around, leaving a 4-inch opening at the bottom of the lining.

• Sew the sides and bottom: Stitch all the way around the perimeter with a 1/2-inch seam allowance.

• Turn and close: Turn the bag right-side out through the opening in the lining. Push out the corners and press. Stitch the opening in the lining closed. Push the lining into the bag.

What kinds of original jean details (like seams or pockets) do you plan to incorporate into your designs?

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