Recycled Jeans Bag Pattern – Little Patch Purse
If you are new to sewing and haven’t made a handbag yet, what are you waiting for? Today I’m sharing another recycled jeans bag pattern called “Little Patch Purse”. This adorable denim purse was made with a pair of old jeans, some scrap fabric and fusible interfacing to make it stand on it’s own. I’ll show you the steps to making a bag without a formal pattern.
The bag is a mini version of the denim handbag tutorial that I shared previously with all of you. Made with a pair of old jeans, quilt batting and scrap fabric.
This little tote bag was one of my Christmas gifts for my 5 year old niece who loves purses and bags. You can dress this bag up any way you like but mine has simple patchwork squares on both sides with denim sides and bottom. You will need to grab a pair of old jeans (adult size required), a denim needle for your sewing machine, interfacing and some scrap fabric for this project. Don’t have any jeans in your old clothes pile? No problem, head over to your local thrift store and pick up a pair.
This bag uses two different fusible interfacings. Interfacing is nice because it gives this bag structure with the foam interfacing and it’s also used on the handles to stabilize. Check out the full interfacing tutorial here.
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Little Patch Purse – Sewing Instructions
The secret to making handbags with a long strip for the sides and bottom is to make it last. Make the patchwork panels first, machine quilt and square up. Then cut your long strip for the sides and bottom with a few extra inches for wiggle room.
Also, don’t stress out if your measurements come out differently than mine. As long as they are in the same ballpark, you will be fine. You only need a single pair of jeans that are adult size for this project. Look for denim fabric that is slightly worn for a cute look. Don’t use too-worn jeans for they will be hard to sew on your machine. You will utilize the pant leg only, this bag is too small to use the back pockets unfortunately. The finished size of the bag measures 7″ x 8.25″.
Materials
- Fabric for patchwork and lining
- One old pair of blue jeans (recycled denim)
- Pellon P44F fusible interfacing for the handles and Pellon FF79F2 for sides and bottom of bag
- Sewing machine and simple sewing supplies (see recommended list at bottom of post)
Cutting Measurements
32 – 1.5″ x 1.5″ squares of fabric scraps (patchwork panels)
1 – 2″ x 7″ denim pieces (patchwork panels)
2 – 7″ x 8″ pieces of Pellon FF79F2 (patchwork panels)
1 – 5″ x 22″ long denim strip (sides and bottom panel)
1 – 5″ x 22″ Pellon FF79F2 Double Sided Fusible Interfacing (sides and bottom panel)
2 – 5″ x 12″ denim pieces (handles)
4 – 5″ x 12″ Pellon P44F Fusible Interfacing (handles, optional)
Important Info – Please Read
Cut your materials before beginning this project, the materials and cutting measurements are below. Pro tip: don’t cut the strip for sides and bottom until you are done with the side panels and measure around the bags sides and bottom using a soft tape measure. Then cut the length of the denim strip for sides and bottom 2 to 3 inches longer. Trust me, I’ve messed up twice now on this step and made panels before my sides were done and my panels were about 1.5″ short. I had to remake them.
You will need one adult size pair of old jeans for this project. Denim is used for the handles, sides and around the base and sides of the bag. Cutting measurements below. Use foam fusible interfacing on the sides and base of the bag (will be one continuous piece). Use Pellon P44F fusible interfacing for the handles and Pellon FF79F2 for sides and bottom of bag.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Make Patchwork Panels
Take your little pieces of fabric and sew 8 – 1.5″ x 1.5″ squares together by placing fabric right sides together and using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Make 4 rows with 8 squares in each. Join the rows together, nesting the seams and using 1/4″ seam allowance. Press with iron when done. Make 2 patchwork panels and don’t trim just yet.
Next, fuse the patchwork onto the foam interfacing using hot iron and parchment paper under the iron and under the interfacing. It’s double sided and may attach to ironing board if you don’t have the parchment paper. Leave 2″ empty above the patchwork. Repeat the steps for both panels.
Now attach the 2.25″ x 8″ denim strip to the patchwork panel that is secured to the foam interfacing. Place denim piece right sides down on top of the patchwork, attach by sewing with a 1/4″ seam allowance. The secure to interfacing by ironing in place and using the parchment paper as a barrier on top of the panel and in between the bottom of the panel and ironing board. Repeat for both panels.
Time to add some machine quilting to your patchwork panels. Use whatever pattern you desire. Once you are done, stack panels and square up so all sides are neat and even.
Make Handles
Take the two denim strip for the bag handles (2 – 5″ x 12″). Sew one strip at a time, right sides together using 1/4″ seam allowance.
Turn the strips inside out. Mark 4″ on both sides of handle starting at the end and marking it 3″ into the middle of the strip. Do this mark on both sides.
Sew from mark to mark the middle section along one side of the strip. Handles will be sewn in the middle and flair out at both ends.
Attach handles to both patchwork panels. Face the handles downward and line up raw edges of handles to the top of the denim strip on patchwork panels. Handle should be place 3/4″ from side of panel on both sides, allowing just enough room to attach side and bottom strip that uses 1/2″ seam allowance.
Sew handles onto patchwork panels using 1/2″ seam allowance, back stitching when you start and finish. I sew over this handle two or three times to really secure it.
Make Side and Bottom Panel
Measure your patchwork panels starting on the upper left side, working your way down and around the bottom, then up the right side. Add 5″ to this measurement to give you wiggle room when attaching to patchwork panels. This will be your length, the width should be 5″.Use these measurements to cut one solid piece of denim and one long foam interfacing strip. You will want that extra 5″ so you don’t come up short when sewing the panel and patchwork panels together.
Pro tip: Do not cut the jeans and interfacing too short. Instead, use that extra 5″ as wiggle room when assembling. You can easily trim the excess panel like I did in this tutorial.
Use your iron to fuse the interfacing to the denim, then head to your sewing machine and machine quilt some wavy lines or any pattern you desire. This gives the bag lots of charm and character. Remember, the more you machine quilt this strip the more it will shrink up.
Make Lining with Pocket
Make the lining the same way you made the bag, with 3 piece of fabric (2 side panels, 1 long panel). Sew together the same way as bag assembly instructions above but this time leave an opening to turn the bag inside out. Leave about 5″ open on the bottom of the lining.
If you want to add a pocket. Cut a piece that’s 6.5″ x 7.5″, fold all sides in 1/2″ and top stitch all the way around. Attach pocket to right side of lining side panel, sew on both sides and bottom of pocket leaving the top open. I sewed around the edge of the pocket and then again on top of the top stitch line about 1/4″ from edge of pocket.
Assemble Bag
Attach the denim panel to one patchwork panel at a time, right sides facing each other. You can start on the side and work your way around. Or you can start in the middle, then do the sides one by one, trimming the excess panel if needed before the final stitch.
Attach one patchwork panel at a time. Make sure you are using a denim sewing needle whenever you sew denim jeans. Turn bag right side out to check your sewing, paying attention to the corners of the bag.
Please the bag into the lining, right sides facing each other and line up the raw edges of the bag with the top of the lining. Handles should be facing down and encased in the lining. Using Wonder Clips or sewing pins, secure the lining to the bag in all four corners first. Nest the seams and straighten the lining over the bag evenly. Once you clip the corners seams, clip the middle of each patchwork side and then clip the rest.
Finishing Touches
Stitch around the top edge with 1/2″ seam allowance. Go slow when you reach the handles, that’s a lot of denim and this is where sewing needles will break. Also, adjust your stitch length to 3.5 to 4 inches if needed. Turn bag inside out using the 5″ opening in the bottom of the lining. Then pull the lining down and into the bag.
Play with the lining and bag to really get the top edge of the bag looking good. Push the lining down so it doesn’t show from the outside, use iron to press into place. When everything looks good, top stitch around the top of bag using 1/5″ seam allowance, going slowing over the handles where there is a lot of bulk from the three layers of upcycled denim.
Last step is to sew the opening in the lining closed. You can hand stitch or machine sew it closed, using 1/4″ or less seam allowance. Now you have your own bag, but it’s a really cute jean bag!
Few more notes
If you make a larger version, make sure you use the jean pocket on the front of the bag. Just use a seam ripper to remove the outer pockets from your pairs of jeans. Then attach to your bag with a little sewing around the sides and bottom.
These bags are such a cute gift to give or to use at special occasions like having lunch with your friends. Sewing patterns are needed to make these bags either. Just take the measurements from you every day handbag and copy it. That’s what I did for this sewing pattern and then made it slightly smaller so it would be a mini bag.
Most of sewing clothing or accessories is taking items you have in your closet or home and copying them. This bag is for intermediate skill levels and above. Have fun and share your bag on social and tag me @SewNikki6.
If you are on Instagram or YouTube, then hopefully you have seen SisterQuilt. She sews up some of the cutest denim bag tutorials. She even makes wallets. You will want to sew something with denim once you watch her.
More recycled denim sewing project:
How to Sew a Handbag with Recycled Jeans
Beginner Sewing Supplies
Here are some quilting tools and supplies I recommend. I make a small commission if you purchase through the links, this helps to support this free content. For more info, check out Supplies for Beginners (Best Tools To Start).
Rotary Mat Cutting Mat (Self-Healing Mat)
28 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
45 mm Rotary Cutter with Sharp Blade (start with this one)
45 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades (start with this one)
60 mm Rotary Cutter Replacement Blades
4.5″ Square Ruler for half square triangles
12.5″ Square Ruler for blocks
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About Sew Nikki
If this is your first time stopping by, welcome! I’m Nikki, a maker obsessed with quilting, crochet, and all things fabric. Here, you’ll find easy-to-follow patterns, helpful tutorials, and plenty of inspiration for your next handmade project. Grab your fabric (or yarn), and let’s create something beautiful together!
This cute jean bag is the perfect accessory and works up fast. The pant leg is where you will get all the pieces needed for the denim portion. Make sure the jeans are adult size. Don’t forget to keep one for your very own bag. Isn’t it funny how we always make items for others and forget to make things for ourselves or is that just me?
Upcycling old clothes from the thrift store is so much fun. It’s great for the environment, keeps old clothes out of land fills and it’s very inexpensive.
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Such a fun pattern and a good way to use up an old pair of jeans. I’m new to sewing and I think that this is a doable project for me to try! Thank you!!