Denim Scraps Upcycled Sewing Project

Transforming small pieces of fabric into fabulous new projects is easy and in this Upcycled Sewing project, I’m sharing my experience of transforming an old pair of jeans into a terrific tote bag.  Hopefully it will inspire you to think ‘outside the box’ when working on your next upcycled sewing project.

Upcycled Sewing Project Prep and Materials Used

For this tote bag, I used Penny Sturges’s Garden Party Tote Pattern.  (This is NOT an affiliate link.  I really enjoyed making this bag.) I won’t be showing my step-by-step progress due to copyright laws, but I will share photos of where I started and finished. (Sort of a before and after version) This pattern was written with quilting cotton fabrics in mind, but once I saw it, I realized it was the perfect tote pattern for my needs.

I began by cutting a pair of old jeans into squares.  Since the jeans were in relatively decent shape, I was able to cut all the necessary squares from a single pair.

It’s important to follow the straight of grain on fabrics when upcycling, so you may need to source additional Denim if you run short. I also considered mixing in other fabrics to add interest but opted not to on this bag.  If you decide to mix, try to match the fabric weights as closely as possible. Sometimes if you mix heavy and lightweight fabrics, your results won’t be ideal.  I also would recommend using denim that does not have stretch.  Traditional, non-stretch denim is best for patchwork projects.  If you do have a stretchy denim, you can use an interfacing like Fusi-knit that will reduce the fabric stretch. Just note that it will slightly increase the fabric weight.

Upcycled Sewing Project Tote Bag Construction

Creating the patchwork was quick and easy!

Once I had it made, I used Bosal’s In-R-Form Plus for the patchwork batting instead of the pattern’s recommended batting.  This particular batting gave the bag more structure and made it more durable for grocery shopping. The pattern directed me to quilt the patchwork prior to assembly so that I could permanently secure the batting in place and create sewing detail.

I opted to use a decorative straight stitch on both sides of each seam.  My thread selection was Guterman’s denim top stitching thread. The small amount of detail was perfect and really complimented the lining fabric.

For the handles, I decided to use my lining fabric since it was a denim twill blend material. Rather than using the Bosal In-R-Form Plus as the batting, I used a traditional cotton batting I had in my batting inventory.  The cotton batting was soft and gave the handles the perfect amount of loft when sewn.  These handles will make carrying heavy groceries much easier.

Upcycled Sewing Project Final Thoughts and Suggestions

Once finished, I made a base stabilizer and placed it inside the bag.  Not everyone uses a base stabilizer, but for me, it is a must have.  This supports my bag and will make it easier to carry groceries.

If you have limited space to store old jeans, I suggest cutting them into useable sized squares or rectangles. This way, you can immediately discard the damaged or unusable portions and store the good portions much easier. If traditional squared patchwork isn’t your style, another option would be to try mixing denim with other materials in a crazy patch pattern. This freestyle method would use more odd, shaped denim pieces.

If you missed the previous upcycled sewing project on denim, you can CLICK HERE to read it.

Hopefully this upcycled sewing project inspired you.  If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below.

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