Handbag from old jeans
Jan 2nd, 2008 by iHanna
I started to make this handbag out of a very old pair of jeans that I probably wore 10 years ago or something? They’ve been laying around in the recycle bin for a while now. I cut them up and sewed in a lining (from a thrifted curtain) on my friend Maria’s kitchen floor this summer when I was very low and couldn’t craft alone. She helped me by just being there, doing her sewing on the machine by the table and making tea for us. I didn’t finish the bag then but in December I did, as you can see on the photos in this post. I quite like it, and with one of the fabric flowers I posted about yesterday I think it looks complete. Or maybe it needs some pins and badges too? he.
The pockets are very useful!
When I had taken these photos of the bag I sent one to Jenn of Indie Fixx because she had a contest in December that I wanted to win… And I won it! 
The price was the Chronicle Books Kyuuto! Japanese Crafts! Amigurumi! I can’t wait to get it, it will be my first craft book from Japan though I’ve written about these books for ages and wanted one for years! And I’ve made several amigurumis already but not from patterns! And this one is translated to English, woohoo! Thank you Jenn, who called me a winner: She’s a winner! How about that? I feel like a winner! I will tell you about the book once it arrives to me here in Sweden (where it has been snowing).
I handsew the buttons (tryckknappar!?) inside the bag, two on each side in December and the bag is big enough for my journal, pens, wallet etc. etc. And it feels comfortable on my shoulder, and that is a very good thing. Isn’t this recycle at its best? Thrifted lining, old worn Levi’s and very little work for a sturdy handbag that won’t break easily!? I want to make more like this one!
Love the bag!
Congratulations! Fully deserved first prize, I love your bag, great idea for a pair of old jeans, must dig into my wardrobe in search for a pair! *^v^*
Love the bag! So cute. Happy new year!
Love your bag. It look so fabulous .
Happy New Year.
Alison
THAT is amazingly AWESOME!!!!! ok, to be nosy… I love the pens in the pocket..are those bookmarks? are those art journals inside the bag?
What a great idea!
Happy New Year Hanna! (I’ve still be reading your blog - just lacking in the comment department! Sorry!)
What a cool bag! I have a pair of corduroy pants that won’t be wearable for long so I might try this instead! Congrats on winning the contest! How cool is that. You always inspire me!
*hugs*
Sophie
Nice to see it finished!
This bag is great! You deserved to win. Happy New Year!
Hi Hanna,
this bag is great..I have saved several of these(tops of jeans) while working on my denim quilts…and your bag has inspired me to get busy and make one. I love the thrifted curtain fabric. it is all too cute! I can see you have a thing for totes and bags! I say you can never have too many!!
I’m so pleased you won. The bag looks brilliant !
It’s a press stud (in English) or a snap (in American English) :)
The bag looks great, lots of useful pockets! I’m working on a similar thing with a skirt.
Well done on winning the contest! x
I came here via Whip Up and was wondering how did you manage to sew the lining to the bag. Did you use a sewing machine or did you sew it by hand?
I have a few old jeans in my to be recycled pile but never knew what to do with it.
Thanks for sharing. :*)
Your bag looks great! I did the same a few years ago, only with my dadīs jeans, and since my dad is a big dad, my bag is a big bag. I lined it with a duvet cover from the 70s (brown flowers), braided a belt to draw in the waist, and sewn on a couple of handles. Itīs not particularly fancy, but itīs one of my favourite bags. Recycling is good!
Love, love, LOVE this bag!!! Fabulous!! :)
Love the bag! I want to try that.
Isn’t it great to have good friends like that?!?!?!
Fantastic bag!
Dear guy,
I love that your handbag, because I want to do something like that and search on goggle your blog. That’s so cute handbag from old jeans. Can you tell me more about the detail? How to sew the bottom, the line and inside?
Thanks
Hi, Hanna. Love this jeans handbag! I always fall in love with things you make - there are always something original and inevitably attractive. Congrats for your win - I am wondering which Japanese amigurumi book you are expecting to receive. Have you ever seen amigurumi made by Tomoko Takamori, a famous amigurumi artist in Tokyo? You can see her lovely works at her blog (http://blog.so-net.ne.jp/amigurumi/) (sorry, texts are in Japanese only).
I love the bag! What did you do on the zipper side? Did you make the strap from the leg? Very cool idea!
PJ: Yes, those are bookmarks I made to sell and no, it’s not my art journal but my diary that gets an occasional collage or drawing sometimes.
feli: I did join the lining with the bag as I sew together the bottom and then hand-stitched the top edge of the lining to the jeans bag this time. I don’t know how to explain it better, ask again if you need help.
Stephanie: I did nothing special on the other side, it has buttons and it still has. The lining stops things from falling out at the front. I made the strap from the leg, yes. :-)
They’re stylish and personalized to upgrade one’s elegance. Presently, there’s a big requirement in the marketplace. Especially the style with check design.
The bag is so cool. Really interesting stuff. It’s not common seeing bags made from an old jeans.