How to Sew Tote Bag from Old Jacket quickly Miarti🪡🧵✂️ 👜, by Miarti - Sewing Tips on YouTube. 3 min 58 s.
- Video length
- 3 min 58 s
- Time to do it
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 10
What you need
Steps
Lay the jacket flat and cut away the sleeves, collar and any thick seams. Keep the sleeves for the handles.
Turn the jacket inside out and cut a rectangle from the front and back panels for the bag body, about 35 by 40 cm.
Cut two matching lining rectangles from the leftover fabric or a spare cotton cloth, the same size as the bag body.
Pin the two bag body pieces with right sides together and sew down both sides and across the bottom with a straight stitch and 1 cm seam allowance.
Sew the lining pieces the same way but leave a 10 cm gap in the bottom seam so you can turn the bag later.
Cut two strips from the jacket sleeves, about 8 cm wide and 55 cm long, fold each in half lengthwise with right sides out and sew along the long edge. Turn them right side out and press.
Turn the outer bag right side out. Pin the handle ends to the top edge of the bag, about 10 cm in from each side seam, with the raw ends pointing up.
Slip the lining over the bag with right sides facing and pin the top edges together. Sew all around the top edge.
Pull the bag through the gap in the lining, push the lining inside and sew the gap closed by hand or machine.
Press the top edge and handles, then topstitch 5 mm from the top edge for a neat finish.
Tips and common mistakes
Use a denim or heavy duty needle on thick jacket fabric so the machine does not skip stitches.
Backstitch at the start and end of each handle seam so the straps hold weight.
Check that both handles are the same length before you sew them on.
Press seams as you go; it makes the finished bag look much neater.
Questions
Can I make this bag without a sewing machine?
Yes. Use a backstitch by hand on the side and bottom seams and on the handles. It takes longer but works on most jacket fabrics.
What jacket fabric works best?
Denim, canvas and wool jackets hold their shape well. Thin or stretchy fabrics need a lining and a bit more care.
How do I make the bag stronger?
Sew a second row of stitching along the bottom corners and use a box stitch where the handles meet the bag.
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.
