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New Uses for Old Jeans
How to Make DenimPocket Purses

Ever feel like you have a surplus of old denim jeans and a shortage of pockets? Here's an easy solution to both those problems. Roomy, portable denim pocket purses are ideal as a small shoulder bag, or as a slide-on to your belt. Here's how to make one.

Materials:

  • 1 pair old jeans with back pockets and zipper in tact
  • Scissors
  • Iron
  • Needle
  • Embellishments of your choice (such as iron-on patches, braiding, etc.)

Directions:

STEP 1:

Cut out both back pockets of the denim jeans, leaving about 1” around pocket.

STEP 2:

Remove zipper from front fly.

STEP 3:

Cut inseam along legs keeping the seam as a strip (or use braiding)

STEP 4:

Cut inseam along legs keeping the seam as a strip (or use braiding)

STEP 5:

Cut out both inseams if you want a shoulder strap.

STEP 6:

Lay out the pockets so that the tops of both front faces are parallel.

STEP 7:

Center zipper at top of pockets and sew together.

STEP 8:

Iron the seam so that it is open and flat.

STEP 9:

Cut inseam so that you have enough to wrap around the two sides and the bottom of the pocket, plus 1/8” extra at each end.

STEP 10:

If using braiding, measure in the same way.

STEP 11:

Sew cut inseam/braiding to the two pockets.

STEP 12:

At this point, you could sew on two belt loops from the old denim jeans to one side of the purse, to use as a belt-slide holder.

STEP 13:

Sew remaining 1/8” ends of inseam or braiding to zipper.

STEP 14:

Or for the shoulder strap option:
  • Connect the extra 1/8” inseam/braiding to the zipper and the second inseam and double-stitch.
  • Repeat on opposite end
  • In the example, belt loops were used to reinforce the two ends where the braided straps were attached.
  • Embellish as desired.
So that's how you turn old jeans into denim pocket purses.

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