Jean Bag Refashion

My first foray into re-fashion began a long long time ago in grade 5.  I remember cutting up a perfectly good pair of Wrangler jeans to make a jean purse.  The bag's opening was too small and there was no closure at the top.  I think I used it to lug library books.

Fast forward more than several years to the digital age and while surfing the web, I came across a jean purse contest.  I wish I could post the link, but I've changed computers since then and have lost the link.  Some of the bags were so creative, it re-kindled the spark in me and I began to research the jean purse idea.  I hemmed and hawed for years scouring magazines and web sites for ideas.  I collected trims and bits of cloth while procrastinating, hesitant to begin due to a lack of sewing skills.

Finally, a favourite pair of jeans became too ripped and torn to wear.  I took the plunge, lopping off the legs and zipped the crotch area closed.  I remember reading that the bag would be better lined so I chose a sturdy black denim from some cut-offs as the liner.

I fashioned the straps by braiding the cut-off pant legs, 

but had to undo part of the lining in order to attach it without showing.

I added all the embellishments I could find, using the original bags from the jean purse project as my inspiration. Finally I added the zipper and this is the final result.

The front:

The back:

and the innards:

I've only used it maybe 3 times because it's so "crafty" looking.

Project Post-mortem

I think if I were to do this project again, I would:

• stitch down and then inside-out the straps so they don't fray so much
• maybe braid a leather lace into the strap
• use a hot pink or orange liner to make it easier to see the purse contents
• also, I would use a non-stretchy jean so it doesn't turn out so floppy

Still, for not being a sewer and having only taken a grade 8 sewing class, I think it turned out nicely.  While I don't use it as much as I'd like, it does make me feel creative and artsy.