DIY Denim Patch Tote Bag

Refashion old denims into a sturdy patchwork tote bag for everyday use.

 YOU WILL NEED
- A few pairs of old jeans
- Lining fabric: 20x40 in
- Webbing: 64 in, 15/8 in wide
- Denim sewing machine needle
- Ruler (or quilting square)
- Matching thread
- Basic sewing kit

NOTES
- Seam allowance is 3/8in unless otherwise stated.

PREPARING THE DENIM
1. Cut twelve 5x5 in squares from your denim.

2. Lay out the blocks so you have a nice mixture of colour and
there are four blocks per row (three rows in total).

3. Stitch together the three rows with RS facing, press every row as you go. Repeat for the bag back. This will make two Bag Outer pieces measuring approximately 14x19 in in size. 

   

MAKING THE OUTER BAG
1. Cut two strips of denim measuring 2.5x19 in, these will form
the Bag Base. Pin one strip to the bottom of the front and back of the
bag and stitch in place with RS facing. 

2. Lay the Bag Outer pieces RS facing and stitch down both sides and along the bottom.

 

3. Trim the stitched  corners of the Bag Base diagonally, being careful not to cut through your stitching. With the fabric still RS together, use both hands to pinch and pull apart the corners. As you pull, the fabric will begin to form a peak with the corner point at the top and the seam lines running down the middle of the front and the back. Align these side and bottom seams. The seam allowance should be facing in opposite directions. Place a pin in the matched seam to hold it in place. Measure 2in up from the point and make a mark across the point of the bag, stitch across the peak.

4.  Cut the triangle off the peak and repeat for the other corner. Press seams. This creates a boxed base.

 MAKING THE LINING
1. Take the two Bag Lining pieces and with RS together stitch along the two short sides and along the bottom.

2.  Repeat the process for making the boxed base as for the outer, and then with the lining still wrong side (WS) out press a 5/8 in hem in the top of the lining.

FINISHING THE BAG
1. Turn the top of the denim bag in by 5/8 in and press. Place the lining inside the bag outer so WS are facing and the two pressed
hems are facing each other, pin in place so the lining sits just below
the hemline. Topstitch all the way around the top 3/8in from the edge
using a longer stitch length and a contrasting thread if you wish. 

2. Cut two pieces of webbing each measuring 32 in.
Fold the ends of the webbing under by 3/8 in and pin them 3.5 in in from the sides of the bag and 3 in down from the top edge.

3. Stitch the bag handles in place with a boxed cross.