Today I'm back with another bag and happy to show you how I used bits and pieces to create a tote bag. I'm on a mission to use all my leftover off cut denim pieces and as I only know how to make bags, this is what I make. Ok, it's not that I could not create something else as there are tutorials all over the internet and if I have been able to learn to make bags, I suppose I could learn to create other things as well, but I love bags. Already have my routine and it's a lot of fun.
The fun begins when you have a bunch of off cuts, of different shapes, sizes and colors and you have to sew them together, to get an interesting design. This is why I will never get bored of making bags.
There were these pieces I saved, because I love the original sewing on the jeans, so this was the starting point.
The other part of the jeans that I (and not only) find very valuable is the bottom of the legs, due to the usage created pattern. The first thing I always do is to cut these off and save them for later projects, like this one.
One piece was ready, but at that point, I didn't know if this would be the front or the back of the bag.
The other piece I wanted to be colorful and made of many pieces. This is all nice, but when you're working with denim, you need to pay attention to selecting pretty much the same thickness of fabric, otherwise it's not going to look nice. This is what I considered appropriate, to match the other piece.
I forgot to take partial photos of the back, but both pieces have interfacing as without that, there's no bag. Interfacing is a must for me.
Then came the dilemma of the pocket. Should I? Shouldn't I? Then I said let's add a pocket for those who prefer to wear this part as front.
And this was where the fun began. The truth is, I have run out of fabric for lining, so I had a look at what i could buy, new fabrics and what I found out shocked me. Prices have sky rocketed, since I last made a bag and when you're creating something for sale, costs matter quite a lot. So buying new lining was out of the question.
My next choice was to use the off cuts, the leftovers and try to select a few pieces so the lining to look good. After all, if we're recycling, then let's recycle, and this is what I started with.
Does this look acceptable? Or should I hide behind the couch? 😂 As beautiful it is not.
I added a pocket as well, not only to look a bit better, but to be useful as well. ladies always carry a lot of things, so it's nice to have a pocket.
The other side of the lining is a bit more friendly, as I had enough of the same fabric, to make it less colorful.
For the carry straps, I didn't have enough denim to make them from one piece, but it's not a problem as the bag is made of pieces, so I thought then let's make the straps from pieces too, of different colors.
I quite like how it turned out, even without lining, with the new technique I used last time.
And voilà! Front and back, but the good think here is, you decide which one is the front and which one is the back as you can wear it either way.
The pocket is quite big, you can even carry a half a liter bottle in it, if you like.
Another bag done. Onto the next one, till i finish all my leftover denim fabrics.
If you're a newbie, you may want to check out these guides:
