HOW TO MAKE A REUSABLE UPCYCLED DENIM TOTE BAG

For several years now, I have strive for minimalism. In fact, I would love to possess only the bare minimum. And that bare minimum to be only made up precious, unique, beautiful, meticulously chosen goods.

A year ago my boyfriend and I have moved from a 750 square foot loft / workshop / apartment in downtown Montreal, to a small country house in Lanaudière, Qc. A lot of my friends volunteered to help us moved (I have really good friends, cheers to them). I told all of them it would be quick and easy, telling them I had been preparing for two years getting rid of stuff, that I was now a minimalist! LOL! In the end we filled up a 26 foot truck, not to mention the multiples back and forth van trips. I have to admit that minimalism has not yet been achieved! Today when my friend and I refer to that day, the word minimalism can’t be said without all of us laughing. When you’re creative, it’s really not easy to be minimalist. 

I nevertheless continue my minimalist quest, one step at a time. My next goal, the dozen of ugly reusable bags in the storage and the trunk of the car. They are design less, and I doubt their true ecological value. I have them, so I use them. I will use these bags and then replace them one by one with my fabulous reusable bags from this easy sewing DIY. I adorrrrrrrrrre these bags. Fashionable reusable bags made with love, with preloved material. That make sense to me:)

Like always here the bag downloadable pattern and the step by step instructions to make your very own upcycled denim bag. What tales will your vintage denim apron tell?

FLOWER TUTORIAL VIDEO

TO MAKE THIS SEWING PROJECT YOU WILL NEED:

• Approximately two pairs of jeans depending on the size of your jeans. I recommend using heavy denim ideally 100% cotton or with very little stretch. Men jeans are best for this type of product.
• Webbing 100% cotton, 4 cm (1 ½’’)
• Twill tape 100% cotton, 2 cm (3/4’’)
• Sewing thread
• Sewing machine
• Fabric scissors, and chalk
• This Kinsu pattern;)

ABOUT THIS REUSABLE BAG SEWING PATTERN

• The reusable bag pattern is downloadable in pdf format.
• Letter format printing, black and white.
• There is 4 pages to print
• The pattern comes with printable instructions available in French and English.
• This pattern has 3 pieces total
• The pattern has one size only.

CUTTING INSTRUCTIONS :

PREPARE YOUR DENIM

You can cut the pattern directly on your leftover denim leg, but if you feel for a bit more of a challenge I suggest to unstitch the hem and side seam of your denim leg. This will provide a wider surface of fabric to cut in plus using this method you will be able to the beautiful textures of the hem and side seams into your project.

Cut the fabric

Cut 4 times piece A (bag center).

Cut 4 times piece B (bag sides).

Cut once piece C (bag bottom).

Cut 2 pieces of webbing each 126 cm (50’’)

SEWING STEPS

STEP 1: SEW THE CENTER OF THE BAG

Sew both A pieces right side in at the median with a 1.3 cm (1/2’’) seam allowance.You will form AA. Repeat the same process for both other A pieces.

Press the seam allowance open, finish them with a serrated scissors and topstitch at 0.5 cm (¼’’) on each side of the seam.

STEP 2: SEW THE SIDES OF THE TOTE BAG

Sew piece B to AA to form BAA.

Repeat at the other side to form BAAB.

Press the seam allowance open, finish them with a serrated scissors and topstitch at 0.5 cm (¼’’) on each side of the seam.

STEP 3: SEW SIDES SEAMS

Sew side seams with a 1.3 cm (1/2’’) seam allowance.

Press the seam allowance open, finish them with a serrated scissors and topstitch at 0.5 cm (¼’’) on each side of the seam.

Turn the bag right side out.

STEP 4: SEW THE HEM OF THE BAG

Fold the hem at 1.3 cm (1/2 ‘’) twice.

Pin the hem before sewing.

Sew the hem with at 1.3 cm (1/2’’) from the edge.

STEP 5: SEW ON THE HANDLES

Pin the webbing first then stitch it at 2 mm (1/8’’) from the edge. At the hem sew a rectangle twice to make the seam stronger. When stitching on the webbing be careful that you sew only one layer of the fabric.

In order to make the handles, at 2.5 cm (1’’) from the hem, mark the the handles with a fabric chalk on both side. Fold the webbing and sew it down at 2mm (1/8’’) from the edge from one mark to the other.

STEP 6: SEW THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG

Fold piece C right side in and sew both side seams with a 1.3 cm ( ½’’) seam allowance.

Sew side seams with a 1.3 cm (1/2’’) seam allowance.

To make a nice finish fix a bias on the seam allowance. I use Twill tape 100% cotton, 2 cm (3/4’’).

STEP 7 : SEW THE BOTTOM OF THE BAG TO THE BAG

Place the sides seams of the bag on the side seams of the bottom of the bag face to face, right side in.

Pin the bag to the bottom of the bag (C) before sewing them together.

Sew them at 1.3 cm (1/2 ‘’) seam allowance.

To make a nice finish fix a bias on the seam allowance. I use Twill tape 100% cotton, 2 cm (3/4’’).

Turn the bag right side out, press and wear proudly:)

You're done!

HAVE FUN WITH THE DENIM SHADES AND THE COLOR OF THE WEBBING!

IF YOU FEEL LIKE IT. ADD A POCKET!

IF YOUR DENIM HAS HOLES IN IT, FIX IT WITH SOME CREATIVE REPARATION. IT WILL MAKE IT EVEN MORE UNIQUE!

Wear it proudly!

SHARE YOUR CRAFT

I love to see what you been up to with your denim crafting! Tag me on insta @kinsu_atelier our join the fbk group denim upcycler.