what to do with old jeans, make a denim pocket book, learn to sew, fun with denim, sew a denim pocket book, crafts of chadds ford

How to Make a Denim Pocket Book or Handbag from an old pair of jeans

Don't know what to do with those old jeans that don't fit anymore? Here's a cute idea... a denim pocketbook out of the jean pocket.

Make a cute shoulder strap purse out of an old pair of jeans!

Directions for making a Cool Denim Pocket book

First cut out a back pocket on an old pair of jeans. Leave about 1 to 2 inches of fabric all around the pocket, on all four sides like shown in the photo.

Then cut a piece of fabric the same size as the jean pocket you just cut.
Place the jean pocket and the fabric PRETTY SIDES TOGETHER. Pin around the pocket and fabric on the 2 sides and the bottom of the pocket as shown in the photo. Straight stitch about 1/2" around the pocket leaving the top open. (Don't sew the top, that's where your stuff goes in your new pocketbook)
Trim your seams around the 2 sides and bottom of pocket. CHANGE your machine to zigzag stitch Zigzag the edges of the seams together to help stop unraveling. (Look closely at the edges of the pocket seam and you will see a turquoise blue zigzag stitch)
CHANGE YOUR MACHINE back to straight stitch Fold under the TOP rim of your new pocketbook 1/2" as shown in the photo. (make sure you don't sew the opening closed) Straight stitch around the top using the pressure foot as your guide. Turn your pocket book to pretty sides out.

Cut a handle the desired length and width that you want. If you like the length used in the photo at the top of the page, the measurements were 30" long and 5 1/2" wide.

Fold handle in half length wise PRETTY SIDES TOGETHER and pin. Straight stitch seam using the pressure foot as your guide.

Turn your handle to the pretty side out. Press handle.

Tie knots at both ends of your handle.

Pin and sew one of the ends of the handle to the outside (pretty side) of your pocketbook as seen in the photo. Do the same to the other side. This step can be done by hand if you are having difficulty sewing through many layers of fabric.

Your awesome denim pocketbook is done!!!

We'd love to see a photo of your recycled project!

Why not make a few and sell them at a craft fair? ...a school fair would do the best for this craft. Price range for selling might be any where from $7.00 each and up to $18.00 each if you add buttons, lace, and patches, etc.

or make a few and give them to friends as gifts... remember...everyone loves a handmade gift.