Sewing a round bag from old jeans is a fantastic project that results in a unique and stylish accessory. This design is perfect for showing off interesting denim washes and details. It's a great choice for a small purse to hold your essentials, like a phone, wallet, and keys.
This detailed tutorial will guide you through creating a sturdy and cute round denim bag with a zipper closure and an adjustable strap. We'll aim for a finished size of approximately 8 inches (20 cm) in diameter, which is a great size for a small, everyday bag.
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How to Sew a Round Bag from Old Jeans
This project is suitable for an intermediate sewer, but beginners can tackle it by being patient and following the steps carefully, especially when sewing curves and installing the zipper.
I. Planning & Gathering Your Materials
Careful preparation is key for a well-made and durable bag.
Old Jeans:
Quantity: 1 pair of adult-sized jeans. Look for sturdy, non-stretch or low-stretch denim.
Preparation: Wash and thoroughly dry your jeans before cutting. Deconstruct them by unpicking seams to get the largest possible flat pieces of denim.
Lining Fabric:
Type: A durable woven cotton, like quilting cotton or broadcloth.
Quantity: A quarter yard (0.2 meters).
Preparation: Wash and iron.
Interfacing/Stabilizer (Highly Recommended for Structure):
Type: You'll need two types for best results:
Medium-weight fusible interfacing: for the lining.
Heavy-weight fusible stabilizer: (e.g., Pellon 809 Decor Bond) for the main denim body and side band. This will give your bag a firm, round shape.
Quantity: A quarter yard of each type.
Zipper:
Type: A sturdy nylon coil zipper is easiest to work with.
Length: At least 18 inches (45 cm).
Webbing for Adjustable Strap:
Type: Cotton or polypropylene webbing, 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.
Quantity: 1.5 yards (1.4 meters).
Hardware for Adjustable Strap:
2 D-rings: 1 inch (2.5 cm) size (to match webbing width).
1 Slider/Adjuster Buckle: 1 inch (2.5 cm) size (to match webbing width).
Matching Thread:
All-Purpose Polyester Thread: For piecing and general seams.
Heavy-Duty/Topstitching Thread: For visible topstitching and for securing the strap tabs.
Basic Sewing Tools:
Sewing machine (a new denim needle or heavy-duty needle, size 14 or 16, is essential).
Zipper foot: A must-have for sewing close to the zipper teeth.
Sharp Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat.
Measuring Tape or Long Ruler.
Fabric Chalk or Frixion Pen.
Plenty of Fabric Clips or extra-long pins.
Iron and Ironing Board.
Seam Ripper.
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II. Prepare & Cut Your Fabric Panels
Accuracy is key, especially with the round panels and the side band. We'll use a consistent 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance throughout.
1. Cut Main Bag Panels (Denim & Lining)
Make your pattern pieces: To get a perfect circle, you can trace a dinner plate or use a compass to draw a circle with an 8.5-inch (21.6 cm) diameter (this includes the seam allowance for an 8-inch finished diameter).
From your Denim (Exterior Fabric):
Main Exterior Circles: 2 pieces, 8.5-inch diameter.
Side/Zipper Band: 1 piece, 26.5 inches long x 2 inches tall (this includes the seam allowance for a finished 26-inch circumference and 1.5-inch depth).
Strap Tabs: 2 pieces, 3 inches long x 2 inches wide.
From your Lining Fabric:
Main Lining Circles: 2 pieces, 8.5-inch diameter.
Side/Zipper Lining Band: 1 piece, 26.5 inches long x 2 inches tall.
From your Interfacing/Stabilizer:
Heavy-weight stabilizer: Cut pieces approximately 1/2 inch smaller than your denim circle and band pieces.
Medium-weight interfacing: Cut pieces approximately 1/2 inch smaller than your lining pieces.
Fuse Interfacing/Stabilizer: Fuse the heavy-weight stabilizer to the wrong side of your denim circles and band. Fuse the medium-weight interfacing to the wrong side of all your lining pieces.
2. Prepare Strap Tabs
Take one Denim Strap Tab (3" x 2"). Fold it in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, so it measures 1.5" x 2". Press.
Open it up. Fold each long raw edge into the center crease you just made. Press again.
Fold the entire strip in half lengthwise once more, enclosing all raw edges. Press firmly.
Stitch along both long edges of this strip, close to the folded edges, to secure them.
Thread one end of a D-ring onto this strip. Fold the strip in half around the D-ring, aligning the raw ends. Stitch the raw ends together securely, about 1/2 inch from the D-ring. This creates a small D-ring tab.
Repeat for the second strap tab and D-ring.
III. Step-by-Step Sewing Instructions
Use a new denim needle and your heavy-duty/topstitching thread for all visible topstitching and for securing the strap tabs. Backstitch at the beginning and end of every seam. Maintain a consistent 1/2-inch seam allowance unless otherwise stated.
1. Attach Strap Tabs to Side/Zipper Band
Take your Denim Side/Zipper Band. Lay it right side up.
Measure 1 inch in from each short end. Place the raw end of one of the D-ring tabs onto one of these marks, aligning the raw edges of the tab with the long raw edge of the band. The D-ring should point inward.
Stitch the tab in place within the 1/2-inch seam allowance, using a small square or bar tack stitch for reinforcement.
Repeat for the second D-ring tab on the other side of the band.
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2. Install the Zipper
Take your Denim Side/Zipper Band with the tabs attached.
Lay your zipper right side down on top of the denim band, aligning the zipper tape with one of the long raw edges of the denim. The zipper should be centered between the two D-rings, extending beyond the short ends of the denim. Pin.
Take your Lining Side/Zipper Band. Place it right side down on top of the zipper/denim sandwich, aligning all three raw edges. Pin all layers.
Using your zipper foot, stitch along this pinned edge, as close to the zipper teeth as possible. Backstitch.
Open out the fabric, press the seam flat, and topstitch on the denim panel close to the seam line.
Repeat this process for the other side of the zipper, attaching the remaining raw edges of the denim and lining bands to the other side of the zipper. You should now have a complete "zipper unit." Open the zipper halfway! This is crucial for turning the bag later.
3. Attach Circles to the Bag's Body
With the zipper open, fold the zipper unit in half so that the denim parts are right sides together and the lining parts are right sides together. Stitch the short ends of the denim and lining pieces together to form a loop.
Align one Main Exterior Circle (right sides together) with the denim loop. Pin meticulously all the way around the circle, clipping into the seam allowance of the denim loop as needed to help it curve smoothly.
Stitch all the way around with a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Go slowly and carefully, adjusting the fabric as you sew.
Repeat for the second denim circle on the other side of the loop.
Now, repeat this process for the lining. Attach the two Main Lining Circles to the lining loop, but leave a 4-inch opening in the seam of one of the circles. This is for turning the bag right side out.
4. Combine and Finish the Bag
Turn the denim exterior bag right side out through the zipper.
Turn the lining bag inside out.
Carefully insert the denim bag into the lining bag, so that their right sides are facing each other.
Stitch all the way around the top with a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
Turn and close: Pull the entire bag right side out through the opening you left in the lining. Push out the bag's rounded shape and the seams. Press the seam allowances of the opening in the lining under and stitch it closed.
Push the lining into the bag and give the entire bag a final press.
5. Assemble the Adjustable Shoulder Strap
Take your 1.5-yard webbing piece.
Thread one end of the webbing through the center bar of your slider/adjuster buckle. Pull about 2 inches through.
Fold this end back on itself by 1 inch and stitch it securely. This secures the first end to the adjuster.
Take the other end of the webbing. Thread it through one of the D-rings on your bag.
Now, thread this same end of the webbing through the slider/adjuster buckle, going under the top bar and over the bottom bar.
Finally, thread the webbing through the second D-ring on your bag.
Fold the end of the webbing back by 1 inch and stitch it securely to itself.
Congratulations! You have successfully sewn a cute and unique round denim bag from an old pair of jeans. It's ready to be your new go-to accessory.
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