My sewing machine has finally been serviced, so I broke it (and me) in by making a moderately challenging reversible bag using an old pair of Carhartt jeans, a cotton fat quarter, and a couple of t-shirt cutouts for a touch of personal flair.
The tutorial linked above is for a larger bag, but I experimented and sized it down into a handbag (see pic for cutting board measurements). I based the size of the bag on the fat quarter when cut in half; I then cut the denim jeans to the same size and drew a pattern on paper similar to the one in the tutorial.
Eat your heart out, Riff Randell.
I'm happy with how I utilized the final scraps of one of my 20-year-old Ramones concert t-shirts. I used a medium sized zig-zag stitch around the t-shirt cutouts and made a few laps to secure them.
The other t-shirt I used features pin-up art from Bawiddiman. I love his style and couldn't part with the t-shirt even though I don't wear it anymore, so it has been sitting in the project pile for a good while now.
Same goes for the Carhartt jeans; due to holes they were set aside this past year in hopes of becoming something else. Well, I am pleased to say they are something else, indeed. I cut both legs of the jeans a little above the knee area and there's still plenty of denim left for other creations. Click here for 35 Clever Projects for Old Denim Jeans.
Talk about cute, and the exact right size for what I envisioned. The cutouts could use more embellishments, either patches or embroidery, but since it's a reversible bag any stitching added now would make the reversibility pointless. However, buttons would make for awesome removable embellishments no matter which side of the bag is used; problem solved.
I can't wait to take it on my next outing.
If you have questions on how I made the handbag (the tutorial is a little vague in areas), please comment below or email me. Thanks!
If you want me to make something out of your old t-shirts and jeans, please email me. Thanks!
The tutorial linked above is for a larger bag, but I experimented and sized it down into a handbag (see pic for cutting board measurements). I based the size of the bag on the fat quarter when cut in half; I then cut the denim jeans to the same size and drew a pattern on paper similar to the one in the tutorial.
I'm happy with how I utilized the final scraps of one of my 20-year-old Ramones concert t-shirts. I used a medium sized zig-zag stitch around the t-shirt cutouts and made a few laps to secure them.
Same goes for the Carhartt jeans; due to holes they were set aside this past year in hopes of becoming something else. Well, I am pleased to say they are something else, indeed. I cut both legs of the jeans a little above the knee area and there's still plenty of denim left for other creations. Click here for 35 Clever Projects for Old Denim Jeans.
I can't wait to take it on my next outing.
If you want me to make something out of your old t-shirts and jeans, please email me. Thanks!
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