Denim Bag

#3. Denim Rag Bag 

What you will need:

old pair of jeans

heavy or medium weight interfacing (pellon) 

rag quilt clippers

sewing basics

1. Pick the parts of the jeans you would like to use.  Example: pockets, decorative parts, etc. Design your bag according to the shapes and sizes of these pieces.  (or if you want to keep it simple, plan for 9x9” squares and make sure your designs will work-mine were longer than 9” to accommodate for the pocket size).

1. For 9x9” squares, cut 8 out of denim, 8 out of fabric, and 8 squares of 8x8” pellon to give the bag body. We will also need a a strip of fabric to use for the sides of the bag as well as the strap. 

 Layout pieces in the desired design and start by sewing 2 blocks (wrong sides together and pellon sandwiched inside) together and then sew those 2 to the next 2.  
Sew along edges of strap, 1/2” in., or fold strap in half and sew one side 3/4” in.  

 When both sides of the bag are assembled, pin strap in place.  We will leave it in one long pieces and just turn on the corners.  Sew to one side, then pin and sew to other side.  I like to make sure all the “rag” edges are going to be on the same side of the bag.  (This makes it reversible:) 

 Measure around your bag and add up to 28”, depending on how long you like your strap.  Width can be whatever you like, this one is 4”.  Cut pellon the length of the fabric strap and 1 inch less in width.  Pin 3 layers together of all pieces and sew in place (with x’s on the squares). 

 Sew strap end to strap end on bag, starting and stopping at seams.  

1. Very carefully clip raw edges with rag quilt clippers.  Yes, these clippers are just as happy to clip thumbs and they are to clip fabric.  OUCH!!!

Sew along top edges of bag.

1. Wash and dry bag BY ITSELF- it will shed lots of threads that you don’t want to see on your others clothes.  Enjoy:) 

 These pants have lots of possiblities:)