DIY Denim Handbag with an Upcycled Leather Belt Strap

An upcycled DIY Denim Handbag using old jeans pockets, scrap fabric offcuts and an upcycled leather belt strap! Fun reuse project!

Materials

– back pockets from old jeans – Several small panels of scrap fabric  – Iron on Firm Bag Interfacing – Two Fat Quarters of cotton fabric for the lining – zipper – old belt & belt buckles

Step 1: Outer Bag Panels

I started by sewing one jeans pocket above the other to form one half of the front of my bag.

I then made the second half of the front of the bag using another pocket and some of my fabric scraps. I was trying to end up with the two halves the same height.

I then sewed the two halves together by placing the panels right sides together and sewing with a 1/4" seam.

Step 2: Interfacing (optional)

I used a firm iron on interfacing on the wrong side of each panel. I left a gap around the edges for my joining seams.

Step 3: Machine Embroidery

I set my stitch length to 4.5 to try to vaguely mimic a hand stitching or sashiko sort of a look without actually having to do the hand stitching!

Step 4: Bag Lining

I didn’t do any precise measuring for this I just laid my front panels on top of my lining fabric and cut two same sized pieces.

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