The Jeans Bag Challenge

A lovely niece in Arizona sent a picture via facebook of a bag made out of an old pair of jeans. She wondered if I knew how to do that. What she didn't know is that I tried to make a gym bag for one of my granddaughters out of old jeans a while back and it didn't go well - I threw the whole mess away. I did learn a few things through that experience, though.

I've been making some handbags and different things lately so felt I might be up for this challenge - a little more skill under the belt at this point - a little more "trial and error".

Wouldn't you know, there is a bag of jeans in my sewing room, and I have been pondering whether they should stay there or go to Goodwill. I'm glad they were here today so I could try to make a bag out of an old pair of jeans.

I think the biggest problem in transforming a pair of jeans into anything is that they are not flat - they're made to fit the curves of our bodies. You can cut the legs off from a pair and the legs will lay nice and flat, but not the top section that looks cool in re- purposed handbags.

I guess I'll start this whole step-by-step with a picture of the finished bag that I made today. I was working on laundry so just decided to play in my sewing room in between loads. Here goes...

OK, the first thing I know is that the little belt I made is too long.  I'll have to fix that, but not tonight.  This is the finished bag as of today - a work in progress.

It doesn't seem to hold its shape like the one my niece sent the picture of, either.  I guess another time I would try some interfacing or fusible fleece to give it some body.  You would think the denim would be good on its own, but it just wants to slump.  All-in-all, I think it turned out pretty good.  I would use it.  

Here's what I did:

First I laid out a pair of jeans and  cut off the legs down from the crotch a few inches, like this:

 

I set the legs aside and then cut the welted seam out from the inside leg and crotch area of the top part of the jeans, like this:

 

After that seam was cut out I turned them wrong side out and tried to flatten them out on the table.  This is where trouble begins, because they won't lay in a nice rectangular shape.  You have to do some work so that you can end up with something that resembles a flat piece of fabric.  This is what I did:

 

On the front side of the jeans (on the wrong side of the fabric), I pinched and pinned from the zipper down, trying to pull the fabric in so that it would lay flat.  I sewed along my pinned line and trimmed the seam allowance.  (confusing, I know - I hope it makes more sense as we go along)

 

Next I took the center back belt loop off with a seam ripper.  Once that was done I turned the jeans wrong-side-out again and  pinned from the waist band all the way down the center, kind of like I had done in the front below the zipper.  Once pinned I stitched along my pins and then trimmed the seam.  My pin/stitch line was along the edge of the clear ruler below in the picture.

 

Then I layed the jeans out flat on my cutting board, smoothing to flatten them out and work on getting that rectangular shape.  Then I cut across the bottom where my tapered stitch line had ended on the front of the jeans, cutting through the front and the back at the same time............I use a rotary cutter but you could mark where you wanted to cut and use shears.   This is what they looked like at that point:

 

After they were cut, as I had them all smoothed out, I was trying to figure out  where I was going with this project next.  I did end up with a pretty rectangular piece, though - a little wider at the bottom than at the waist, but not by much.

 

I've been making some handbags so have learned the technique of sewing the bottoms of bags so that they end up like the bottom of a grocery bag.  So that's what I did next - a straight seam across the bottom (I did 1/2" seam allowances) and then worked on the bottom to create that "flat bottom effect" - like this:

 

Where you just stitched across in a straight line across the bottom, you have to grab the corners and pull the bag so that the corners are sticking out like little ears off to each side.  In the above picture you are seeing the  bottom seam running from left to right and the cross in the middle is where you see the center front and back seams.

I measured in 2" and cut off that triangle, then pinned and stitched it - repeat for the other end ( I usually just stitch across as far in as I want when making bags and then cut the triangle off. You can do it either way.  I sometimes slip a rubber band around the arm of my sewing machine at however many inches I want and then have that as my 2" guide, or whatever measurement I want).  This is how it looks on the bottom when you do the corners.

                                    


That's it for the jean bag.  Now for handles and lining...

I used one of the left over legs from the jeans to make the handles.  I just layed it out on my cutting board and used my 6" wide ruler and cut a strip right up the center of the leg.  Then I cut down the center of that strip dividing it into 3" wide strips - there were four of them at that point.

 

 

With right sides together I joined two 3" pieces together making an even longer strip.  Repeat for the second two pieces.  Then I had to decide how long I wanted the handles.  I folded the strips in half where the seam is and measured out 15" and cut there - that gave me a 30" strip - repeat for the second piece.

 

 

I pressed the seams open and then pressed in 1/4 inch  all around each 30" strip, even the ends.  Then fold the strips in half the long way, lining up the open edge, then stitch all the way around.  I set them aside and attached them last.
 

 

I used some cute owl fabric for the lining.  I can see where each bag you make is going to be different, so I can't tell you how big to make the fabric for the lining.  I measured the finished bag width, top and bottom, and used the larger number for my width measurement, plus and inch for seam allowance.  My pieces ended up being 19" wide.  For the length, I measured from the top of the jean bag to the very bottom of the bag (pulling the bag down in the center, not at the corners, to get a true length measurement).

I sewed three sides together on the lining with right sides together - 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Then I did the little corner thing on the lining just like the outer bag.

 

I pressed the top opening of the lining under 1/2 inch all around, then folded it down again and pressed it.  I slipped it inside the jean bag, wrong sides together and pinned it in place so that I could stitch over the lower row of stitches on the waistband of the jeans and catch the lining.  My lining didn't fit perfect so I just eased it in and made it work - a little tuck here and there to make it fit is just fine for me - nothing is exact in something like this.  :)

 

It's not easy sewing through the thickness of the jeans, especially when you come to a belt loop and are sewing through that thickness, too.   Make sure you're using a needle in your machine that will handle this heavy work.  You could just hand stitch the lining in place, if you wanted.  I thought about it but was trying to get it done.  :)  Luckily no broken sewing machine needles - I've learned the hard way not to pull on the fabric too hard when the fabric is so thick and not wanting to move under the pressure foot - that'll break a needle every time.

After the lining was stitched in place, I sewed the handles on where I thought they should be, trying to place them to the side of the front pockets then matching the placement up on the backside to match the front handles. (Didn't take a picture of that part.)

I cut a long strip of the owl fabric and made the little belt - made it too long, but I'll fix that another time.  I just sewed it right sides together and left an opening so that I could turn it right side out - then I stitched the opening close.

I also cut a piece of a foam material called "Soft & Stable" the size of the bottom of the bag to help hold the shape (I think my piece was 5" x 13").  I cut out fabric and sewed it together to fit over the foam.  I placed  the piece down into the bottom of the finished bag.  It did help to hold the shape of the bottom, but another time I think I would try something like plastic canvas that is a little more stiff.

So, here's the bag - inside...

 

and out...

 

I would probably try some different things another time, but I think it turned out alright for the first one.  Like I said before, when recycling something like jeans into bags, each one is going to be different.  I hope someone will be able to follow my basic directions here, but just know that you'll have to make up your own measurements as you go along.

Thanks, Kim, for the challenge.  :)  I wouldn't put this in the class of a "beginner" project, but if you have some basic sewing skills then I'd say start using up those old jeans.  Also check out some other tutorials on bag making to see the technique for making the bottom like a grocery sack - I know my pictures didn't explain it well. 

So friends, did I pass the "Jean Bag Challenge"? 

The Red Dresser's Hens & Friends Barn Sale

What a wonderful weekend and the perfect setting for a sale - beautiful yard filled with canopy tents, each filled with fun things to sell. An old, red barn in the middle of the yard that housed many more little nooks and crannies of unique - and antique - things to sell. Fun stuff. Fun event.

This was my first outdoor sale and I think God had truly blessed my weekend. The event was a short walk from my house which made getting there pretty easy. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was great to see people excited about their new treasures and being inspired to create something themselves with some Annie Sloan paint that was sold there. Fellowship with my helpful granddaughter, daughter and niece made it pretty special, too - my hubby was very helpful, too, and even our son was able to lend a helping hand.

You just never know what will sell, and even though I had to bring some stuff back home I did pretty well. I went there with an assortment of things and sold an assortment of things, but people are really into the old furniture stuff right now - wood grain furniture not so much, but painted old furniture - that's where the interest is. They either want the pieces that someone has put a nice coat of paint on or they want an old piece of furniture that they can paint themselves - making something old look fresh and new with lots of character.

Here are some pictures of the great weekend...

 

 

The Americana corner - handcrafted checkerboards, water bottle holders, baby t-shirts, an apron...

Red, white & blue stuff.

 

Garage sale finds painted with Annie Sloan Paint.

 

Old cupboard doors that I saved from our kitchen remodeland painted for the sale - the raised centers became chalkboards.

They were a popular item and fun for us to write little messages onso folks would know that they were actually chalkboards.

Lily (the vintage dress form) is wearing one of the aprons that I made.

My helpers (Tiffani & Lori) had fun putting aprons on and walking around with them on to try to make a sale for me.

I spent today in one of the Cherry Aprons - I don't usually wear an apron, but think I'm going to start.

It was fun to wear and it really would keep me from getting stuff splattered all over my clothes while cooking.

 

Chalkboards were selling well the first evening so I had to fill in the gaps today with checkerboards.

 

The Barn Sale Special was the Hamper Liners with the wastebasket that they fit in - small hampers that work well for kids. The first ones I made were for our new grandbaby. We've discovered that they're great for fabric scraps in this grandma's

sewing room, good for stuffed animals that need a place to hang out other than the floor, and for the basic laundry hamper where there's not a whole lot of room for a big one. There are lots of fabrics tops to choose from.

 

A couple of my helpers. :)

 

A vintage stroller that's been in the rafters of our garage for years.

It didn't sell at the Barn Sale but it did makefor some fun pictures of our grandbaby, Emma.

 

 

This is me, Marge. For those of you that know me but haven't seen me in a while, YES, I quit coloring my hair.

It is not gray or silver, but WHITE. I'm ok with that.

I no longer have to worry about the wind blowing my hair and someone seeing my roots.

I'm happy having my grandma's white hair.

It's doesn't make me any older but it has simplified my life, and sofar everyone seems to recognize me. :)

 

Again, it was a great weekend and a fun event to be a part of.  Let me know if you see anything in the pictures that you're interested in - NO, the grandbaby is not for sale.  :)

Barn Sale

It was a busy evening at The Red Dresser's Hens & Friends Barn Sale. People were lined up waiting for five o'clock when they could storm into the barn and booths to see what treasures they could find.  What a great way to start the evening.

Painted furniture seems to be the going thing and that's a good thing since I've discovered how fun it is to paint with Annie Sloan paint. I sold a couple of great painted chairs that will be finding at new home in someone's new cabin. They also purchased dressers, tables and lots of other things from other vendors that will make their new place a "home". 

My old kitchen cupboard doors were transformed into chalkboards and that seems to be a pretty popular thing. We had fun writing little messages on them before the sale started and they are selling really well. :)

All in all it was a great day. Beautiful weather for setting up my booth outside. The customers were fun. I sold some stuff. Now tomorrow we do it all again. I'm looking forward to it but think I better get some sleep first.

Pictures will be coming soon - better yet, stop by the Barn Sale tomorrow and see for yourself all the great treasures that can be found at The Red Dresser's Hen & Friends Barn Sale.

What do you make?

While I try to figure out this whole blog thing, I think I should post some pictures as I've had several people asking, "What do you make?".  I also had a call from my hubby today asking if I had pictures on my blog that he could show a gal at work - nope, not yet.  I guess I should fix that.

My GOAL (remember, my last post was about setting goals) is to start posting items with prices under a separate tab - just haven't quite figured that out, yet (remember, I said that I'm not very techy).

My sewing/crafting started with the Memory Blankets and then went on to me looking for a laundry hamper for our new grand baby.  I couldn't find anything cute in the stores and if I found anything at all they were priced out of my range.  That's when I created  "Hamper Liners" that fit a tall kitchen wastebasket - perfect size for a little one's laundry hamper, toy basket, or a cute hamper to fit any smaller space.  I actually made two for baby Emma and included little handmade vouchers so that her mama could redeem them for laundry service via this grandma for a few times after she was home with the new baby - slip one "Hamper Liner" out with the dirty laundry and slip another one in the wastebasket to start all over, again.

I've been selling a "Hamper Liner" for $15 and at craft shows have run a show special of $20 with the wastebasket - I got a good deal on a stack of wastebaskets at Meijer a while back, and believe me $20 is a great deal on a cute hamper - trust me, I've shopped many stores before Emma was born.

Here's a sampling of Hamper Liners I have made.  I'd also be happy to make one with your fabric choice.

I will post pictures of some other things a little later, but for now here's a description of some of them...

Most recently I've been making tote bags and diaper pouches.  The tote bags can be used for a small diaper bag, a purse, or just a tote bag to throw some things in and head out the door.  The diaper pouches are designed so that you can tuck it in your larger diaper bag and then pull it out when you have to head in somewhere to change the baby.  They hold two or three diapers and a travel size pack of baby wipes.  I'm selling the "Pack-n-Go" tote bags for $20 (they are about 13x13) and a "Diaper Pouch" for $6.50 (is 6x9).

You know, it's not so much about the diaper bag fitting your boy or girl baby - it's more that it's something mom wouldn't mind carrying.   I would always be willing to make a baby themed set for someone, but I like that I've created this line more with mom in mind.

Beside the baby things, I've made some little bags that I've named "Scrappy Bags" because I wanted to find a way to use my little scraps from other projects.  Our almost 10 year old granddaughter loves hers.  It is perfect for a little pad of paper & a pen, her CD's fit in it, and she says it's the perfect size for her DS.  I've sewn them together leaving the raw edges exposed.  They are embellished with a fabric flower and I've been selling them for $7.50.

"Cross My Heart" pins were created with Valentine's Day in mind but I'm liking the idea of them for year round.   They have a cross charm sewn onto a pretty heart with a pin back attached.  They can be worn on your lapel or you could hang them from a pretty ribbon in a special place.  I've attached them to a card so you could add a message on the inside, "Crossing my heart and praying for you", "I cross my heart and promise I will always love you"... you get the idea.   I sold them for $3.50 at the last craft show.

"A Piece from the Past" are things that I've made that include some vintage element.  I've found that linen napkins, doilies, hankies, and small tablecloths work great in creating a special occasion baby blanket.  The prices vary depending on what I have to pay for the vintage part.   I've found that many people have these things tucked away in boxes or dresser drawers and are excited to have them find a new purpose where they can be seen.  I'm always looking for pieces so if you have some pieces you would part with, I'd be happy to talk price.  Also, if you have a special piece you'd like turned into something for your own family, I'd be happy to talk to you about doing that, too.

What's next... I'm really liking the whole recycle/repurposing thing so am coming up with some ideas to run with.  I think you'll start seeing some cute envelope purses made out of vintage linens and dresses.  Those little "Scrappy Bags" would be cute using old jeans and such for the main element.  Flower pins are all the go right now, so I'm thinking a little vintage flare for some of those would be great, too.

For now, I'm headed back to my sewing room to finish creating Tiffani's cheerleader's bag that will hold her shoes, clothes, and pom poms.  I have it started with an old pair of my jeans and some patriotic fabric - some good red, white, and blue will go well with her red pom poms.   I'll take a picture when I'm done and will post it along with pictures of the things I've mentioned above.

I hope this gives you a little glimpse inside my "Simply by Marge" world.