Saturday, May 21, 2011

Upcycled Denim Tote

A friend's birthday was coming up and I wanted to make her a tote bag that she could carry all of her binders in (in style too) :)

I had some old jeans lying around so I thought I could upcycle them!

This is how it turned out



Now, let's see how i made it.





cutting out the legs of the jeans



cut strips. there wasnt enough of the blue, so i used a pair of the black jeans leftover from another project.  but the handles are gonna cover the black strips so i dont care if it's black  Just make sure what size u want your tote to be and cut accordingly (leave half an inch for seam allowance)



embroidered her name in chinese, making it into a front pocket



sewing pocket onto the center front





I bought some trim at a fabric store when they were on clearance, i sewed a black lining onto the back of the trim first, then sewed the trim onto the bag as handles.


The bag after sewing all the sides and bottom together



the trim goes all the way to the bottom to strengthen it.  Then sewed the boxed corners.



Onto the lining. I simply sewed the lining just like the tote. boxed corners and with a pocket 



Sewed the lining to the tote



The bottom




back of the tote



Front of tote! 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This project is linked with the following parties:

DIY-on-display2

71 comments :

  1. That's a terrific idea for old jeans - thanks for the clear photos and descriptions!

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  2. Great tutorial! You just started sewing????? You are extremely talented!

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  3. Aww thank you. I started sewing one year ago this month. But I m still a beginner n have alot alot alot more to learn :)

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  4. This is amazing and looks great! Found you on Marvelous Mondays! Very nice bag!

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  5. What a great upcycle! The denim is a great fabric to use because it can handle the weight of the books. I love the embroidered pocket - such a lovely gift to give a friend!

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    Replies
    1. You are too kind Laurie! the tote really is sturdy my friend really liked it. :)

      Delete
  6. Wow, very impressive and creative, GREAT job!!!!

    Btw, thanks for joining my Monday Madness link party!!!

    -Priiincesss
    http://www.iam.priiincesss.com/

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  7. The bag looks great, and your tutorial is very clear.
    Thanks for sharing at Funday Monday!
    Sylvia

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    Replies
    1. thank you Sylvia! I do try to give clear description, though sometimes i dont take very good pictures while i am sewing lol

      Delete
  8. WOW!!! Love your bag! Strong and gorgeous.Thanks so much for sharing the great tutorial! Would love to have you visit me sometime.
    Have a fabulous week!
    Hugs from Portugal,

    Ana Love Craft
    www.lovecraft2012.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Ana! i love your blog, and now i am a follower!!!!!!!!!!!!

      Delete
  9. That's super cute! I have lots of old jeans that I could use. Thanks for the great idea!

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    Replies
    1. THank you for commenting! if u do make one, i'd love to see it! :)

      Delete
  10. Love this, just fantastic! Pinning and now following on google friend connect.

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  11. Wow! I love this! I'm pinning it and following you now :)

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  12. This tote came out fabulous. I bet your friend loved it. Thanks for sharing it at Silver Pennies Sundays! x

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Danielle! she really liked it, she said it is the sturdiest tote she has to carry all her accounting binders in. :)

      Delete
  13. Lovely idea for up cycling old jeans, well done!

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  14. Another great upcycle Mandy! What a fabulous bag!

    Thanks for linking to a Round Tuit!
    Hope you have a fabulous week!
    Jill @ Creating my way to Success
    http://www.jembellish.blogspot.com/

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  15. I'm following GFC from Loves On Thursday Blog Hop. please return the favor and follow me back at Evoluchun's Miscellaneous

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  16. What a great idea! I am going to have to give it a try! :) Pinning!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Heather! I would love to see when u made one!! :)

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  17. How sweet of you! I love it! Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Carrie! My friend is like a mom to me so I really put alot of thought into making anything for her! and her bday is coming again, sooo i better get my creative juices flowing soon! :)

      Delete
  18. Very cool. I love upcycling jeans too. I like the way you have put the handles round the bag.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you! I love your blog, LOTS of great upcycling ideas!!!

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  19. Very nice...lucky friend! Thanks for sharing it at the Shady Porch. Blessings, D

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  20. These are SO cute! You did such a fabulous job.

    I'm so glad you linked these to Saturday Night Stars. They are lovely.
    ~FringeGirl

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  21. I love it! My sister is obsessed with tote bags and would really love something like this. Thanks for sharing :)

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Melissa! You should make ur sister one! :)

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  22. Nice tote! I love upcycled denim projects! I like the zebra straps! Thanks for sharing @ Submarine Sunday!

    T'onna

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  23. Great tutorial. I have a few jeans just waiting for a revamp. I love the zebra fabric. Thanks for sharing. I am a new follower. I saw your post on Freedom Friday Blog hop

    Handmade at Warratahstree

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Tracy! check out handcock's (if there is one near you) for their 50% off trims!!

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  24. I enjoy all your denim posts... This one has to be my favorite right now!

    Just wanted to let you know I have started a link party, with Kayla over at Kayla's Creations and we are having a Circle of Faith link party every Sunday. Would love to have you come on over and link up anything and everything you want from your blog :)NO RULES

    http://www.heatherlyloves.com/2013/04/welcome-circle-of-faith-link-party-1.html

    xoxo
    Heather

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    Replies
    1. Heather, thank you so much for coming by! I am heading over to your party!

      Delete
  25. The tote looks awesome! Great job :-) Thank you for sharing at our ALL MY BLOGGY FRIENDS party !

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  26. Wow, this is fantastic!! Love the embroidered name on the pocket too...it makes the bag so much more personal! Thanks for sharing with us over at Showy Sunday www.leroylime.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Thank you soooo much Dawn! U have checked out many of my projects!! thank you!!!!

      Delete
  27. I LOVE a good bag tutorial! Thanks so much for linking up at Sweet Treats & Swanky Stuff

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    Replies
    1. oh you are too kind. I dont think the tutorial is good enough though :p

      thank you for coming by!!

      Delete
  28. Great upcycle! Thanks so much for sharing over at ASWC Together

    http://www.andsewwecraft.com/2013/04/and-sew-we-craft-together-linky-party-37/

    Amy x

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  29. Great Job - Your friend is very lucky! Thanks for sharing at the Whatever Wednesday Linky Party.
    Holly
    Holly's Stamping Addiction

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  30. visiting from handy man crafty woman. This is fantastic. Love it

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  31. A fabulous way to reuse pre-loved jeans!!! I love how you've embroidered the name in Chinese and then made that into the pocket. A great bag!!! I look forward to seeing more of your creativity...

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  32. Awesome bag! I have a few jeans that are laying around I might have to give that a try! Thanks for linking up & sharing @ Inspiration Spotlight on DearCreatives.com Hope to see you again soon!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Theresa! this is really pretty easy to make. heck, u don't even need a liner :)

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  33. Thank you so much for linking up to Get Crafty Friday! Your tote has been featured in this week's post. I hope you stop by and check it out!

    -Amy
    http://www.thestitchinmommy.com/2013/04/get-crafty-friday-17.html

    ReplyDelete

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