I’m sure you’ve seen variations on the “handbag” out of jeans that most of us
have made at least one time in our lives. You cut the jeans off at the crotch, sew a straight
line, throw on a handle and you BINGO have a handbag!
Way before it was called “going green” I was forever trying to use the unusable,
keeping things in a pile knowing SOMEDAY I will do something wonderful with them.
Here is yet another way to use Jean scraps.
The idea here is to rip, pull and tear everything apart ahead of time. Which works
quite well if you have any hidden, pent up anger or frustration. Carefully cut the
pockets to reuse them the way they are. Remove the waistband and take the loops off
if you want to. Use the waistband at the top of the bag or for handles.
Gently cut the heavy seam to use as straps if you’d like. Cut strips of denim and
place them to your liking to fit in the pattern you’ve chosen. When you have a combination
that pleases you sew them on to a backing. Often, just to add texture,
I’ll wash the denim strips to aid in the process of fraying. You can line the bag or not,
it’s really personal preference. Feel free to add a store bought strap,
now a days there are so many to choose from.
