My sister gave me a set of brightly coloured Gutermann Machine Embroidery Threads last Christmas and one of them was a lovely variegated yellow colour that blends really well with the yellow in my fabric scraps and is a similar colour to some of the existing stitching on the jeans pockets. Done in washed denim and set off with cinnamon-hued suede and monogram hardware, this accordioned bag boasts the perfect size and attitude for everyday carry. 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! Hand woven, felt, crochet, limited edition or one of a kind scarves, hats, bags. Nylon Webbing – Super strong you often find this in shop-bought bags. To make your own bias binding, cut strips of fabric at 45 degree angle (a quilters ruler usually has this angle marked, super helpful). Personally I love to jazz it up with bias binding stitched to one side. The design of the bag is fairly straightforward with only one zipper. I had a couple of fat quarters (quarter of a metre fabric cut) of stripy white and yellow fabric that I used for my bag lining.

Several small panels of scrap fabric – the black is quilting cotton, the grey white and yellow were some heavier weight offcuts bought from Louise Brainwood’s Etsy Shop (I often buy bundles of her fabric scrap offcuts as she has beautiful modern prints). Small bag – 7.5″ x 9.5″ / 19 x 25.5cm. Large bag – 15.5″ x 19.5″ / 39 x 49.5 cm. I decided I wanted to add a bit of embellishment to my bag. I wanted a bit of structure for this one, mainly because the outer pockets aren’t that deep and I feel like if the whole back was slouchy nothting I put in them would stay put! This is a medium-sized bag, measuring 8 inches deep and 6.5 inches wide. Lastly, thread the strap from the outer edge of the rectangular towards the bag, fold the edge under. Place on the side panel of the bag, ensure you are not stitching too close to the top of the bag, as it is usual to do this step prior to inserting the lining. If you like a slouchy denim purse ebay handbag look you can totally skip this step.

Step into a two floored quirky designed outlet to feast your eyes (and cash) on funky coloured tops and denim galore. I first made a couple of drawstring bags – which really buoyed my confidence for sewing with denim (and specifically stretch denim!). That’s the joy of my bags. I’m not a bag pattern writer and I’ve only made a handful of bags myself so the tutorial below is very much meant as an inspiration piece rather than a proper pattern. I often choose it when making a bag for a man. Now you have learnt how to sew bag straps out of fabric, how to make adjustable bag straps and considered ways of making the strap your own. I have made my own bias binding out of the lining fabric and added a strip to my adjustable bag strap. Whilst making this bag I chose to sew the adjustable shoulder strap from cotton webbing complimented with bias binding made from the lining fabric. Thread through a bias binding gadget and iron. So I used a firm iron on interfacing on the wrong side of each panel. Fabric – Choose a close weave, pair with a suitable interfacing to provide a strong adjustable bag strap.

Each bag strap is 2.5″ wide. Now taking your end of the strap thread right side up through the slider. Brightly colored floral fabrics are hot right now; they can be found in the spring 2010 Christopher Kane, Erdern Moralioglu, and Ralph Lauren lines. I then sewed the two halves together by placing the panels right sides together and sewing with a 1/4″ seam. Sewing through thick layers of fabric can be tricky for your sewing machine. I started by sewing one jeans pocket above the other to form one half of the front of my bag. Cut close to the pocket, but be careful not to nip the pocket itself. Below is the method I used to make my internal zipper pocket, but again if you are using up jeans pockets like I was just piece the internal lining in the same way as the front and add in a few more pockets! To remove the back pocket from the jeans, first cut all the way up the jeans close to the leg seam. 5. Thread your embroidery needle through the pocket from back to front. I used a denim needle and Coats Moon thread.

Check out my free denim messenger bag pattern. I have just finished making myself a denim messenger bag from a khaki pair of jeans. For men, a messenger bag can be the perfect final accessory for a collegiate look; pair it with a casual blazer and a pair of Vans and you’re ready to go. Also the weight of the different materials on my bag panels was so different I wanted to kind of even it out a bit. The purse is can easily bear the weight of the gun and other items and it is able to last for a long period of time. I’m kicking myself I didn’t think of it at the time! I didn’t overly plan this bag ahead of time. You will need two rings and a slider, with the internal width of the bag hardware equalling your strap width. Cut two pieces of side strap tabs – mine are 4 1/2″ each. Hopefully, if you decide to give this a go, having the play by play of my upcycled bag will spark some ideas for you about how you can make a bag that you will love out of the unique bits and pieces you have lying around your own home.