How to Upcycle Old Denim into a DIY Tote Bag | Miarti - Sewing Tips, by Miarti - Sewing Tips on YouTube. 3 min 31 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 31 s
- Time to do it
- 2 hours
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Cut two main body panels 40x30 cm from the old denim skirt. Fuse interfacing to the wrong side of each panel with a hot iron.
Mark handle lines on the top of each panel, 5 cm in from the side edges at the top and 11 cm apart at the bottom.
Lay the 100 cm grosgrain ribbon along the marked lines to form the handles. Stitch it to the front and back panels, stopping 7 cm below the top edge.
Stitch a decorative leather tag centered on the front panel if you want one.
Cut two fused denim bottom pieces 40x10 cm. Align them with the bottom edges of the bag walls, stitch, then topstitch on the right side.
Cut matching lining pieces. Cut 5x5 cm squares from the bottom corners of both the denim and lining pieces to box the corners.
Make the pocket from a 34x41 cm piece folded right sides together. Sew the top edge, turn it out, topstitch, and mark a vertical dividing line.
Pin the pocket onto the lining and stitch the sides, bottom and center line. Sew the lining side and bottom seams, leaving an opening to turn the bag.
Sew the boxed corners on the denim and lining. Put the outer bag inside the lining right sides together, pin, and stitch around the top edge.
Turn the bag right side out through the lining opening, stitch the opening closed, tuck the lining in, and topstitch around the top rim.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a denim needle and a longer stitch length so the machine handles thick seams without breaking thread.
Press every seam flat as you go, since bulky denim holds creases and looks neater.
Check handle placement on both panels before stitching so the straps line up straight.
Sew slowly over the thick boxed corners and turn the handwheel by hand if the needle struggles.
Questions
Can I use old jeans instead of a skirt?
Yes. Cut the panels from the widest flat parts of the legs and avoid worn or ripped areas.
Do I need interfacing?
It is not strictly required, but it gives the denim crisp structure and stops the bag from sagging.
How big will the finished bag be?
The tutorial gives a finished size of about 29x30x10 cm, including the boxed bottom depth.
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.
