Upcycle Old Jeans into a Hobo Shoulder Bag Easily | Miarti Reuse 🧵, by Miarti - Reuse on YouTube. 2 min 38 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 38 s
- Time to do it
- 3 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Draw the paper pattern at 24 x 7 1/8 in (61 x 18 cm). Cut two main panels from the jeans, keeping the waistband and back pocket if you want them on the bag.
Fuse iron-on interfacing to the wrong side of both denim panels. Press with a hot iron and hold it for a few seconds until the glue bonds.
Cut a 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 in (4 x 4 cm) square from each bottom corner of both panels. These notches let you sew a boxy base.
Cut two lining panels to match the denim panels. Cut two pocket strips at 8 5/8 x 5 7/8 in (22 x 15 cm) and fold and press their edges.
Pin the pockets to the lining, about 3 1/8 in (8 cm) below the top edge, and topstitch around each pocket.
Install the magnetic snap in the center of the inner lining curve. Back the fabric with a small interfacing patch so the snap does not tear through.
Sew the denim panels right sides together along the sides and bottom, then stitch across the corner notches to form the base. Repeat for the lining, leaving a turning gap.
Place the denim bag inside the lining with right sides facing and sew around the top edge. Turn the bag through the gap and close the gap by hand or machine.
Topstitch neat rows along the curved neckline and armhole edges. Use a hump jumper or folded cardboard to glide over thick seams.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a denim needle (90/14 or 100/16) and go slowly over thick seams to avoid skipped stitches or a broken needle.
Press every seam as you go so the finished bag sits flat and looks sharp.
Keep the waistband and back pocket in your layout for a quick upcycled detail.
Test the magnetic snap position before cutting the hole, since it cannot be moved easily.
Questions
Do I need a special needle for denim?
Yes. A denim or jeans needle in size 90/14 or 100/16 handles the thick fabric and seams without bending. A standard needle may snap.
Can I make this bag without a pattern?
You can trace a bag you already own onto paper and add a seam allowance. The video uses a 24 x 7 1/8 in paper pattern as a guide.
How big is the finished bag?
The finished bag measures about 9 7/8 x 9 x 3 1/2 in (25 x 23 x 9 cm). It has a shoulder strap, a magnetic snap and two inner slip pockets.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
