Turn a pair of old jeans into a one-of-a-kind Joni Bag! I found these embellished jeans at the thrift store and couldn't resist. In this tutorial, I'll show you how I cut up the jeans, piece the denim, keep a real jeans pocket, line the bag, and rivet on leather handles. Upcycling is thrifty, fun, and nobody else in the world will have a bag like yours.
What You'll Make
A lined denim tote with a gusset, a back-pocket patch pocket, and riveted leather handles, based on my Joni PDF and Video sewing pattern.
Skill level: Confident beginner.
Note: The cutting chart is in the Joni pattern. I don't share those measurements here, to be fair to everyone who bought it.
Supplies
- Joni PDF and Video sewing pattern
- A pair of jeans. Mine were a size 8. For a bigger bag, look for larger jeans or combine a few pairs.
- Lining: Silver Shimmer fabric (no interfacing needed)
- Interfacing for stretchy denim: woven fusible or SF101. I used a scrap of Decovil Light behind my pocket.
- Handles: a sewable leather strap cut in half
- Optional: rivets, a hole punch, and a rivet press (or just sew the straps on)
- Nylon mallet for thick denim seams
- Rotary cutter, scalpel or seam ripper, clips, and Gütermann thread
How to Turn Jeans into a Joni Bag
Step 1: Cut apart the jeans
Cut the legs off just below the back pockets. Then open up each leg. I don't have time to unpick bulky jeans seams, so I just rotary cut them out and toss them. Now you have nice flat denim to work with. Save the scraps for patches, handles, or trim.
Step 2: Cut and piece the panels
Square up the denim and cut your main panels and gusset using the cutting chart in the pattern. If a leg isn't tall or long enough, sew on another strip of denim along a straight edge to add height. Little pieced bits give it character, like a crooked tooth! I sew with a 3 mm stitch length and press seams to one side, then topstitch them down with a longer stitch (I used 4).
Step 3: Stabilize stretchy denim
Most denim has a little stretch these days, so it can distort as you sew. Fuse woven interfacing or SF101 to the back if yours feels stretchy or thin. Tip: vintage Levi's 501s have no stretch, so grab them when you see them at the thrift store! If you get puckers when topstitching, try a walking foot.
Step 4: Add a jeans pocket
Carefully unpick a back pocket from the jeans with a scalpel. Starting at a top corner helps. Press it, then fuse interfacing behind it to cover the raw edges and add crispness. Fold the main panel in half to find the center, line up the pocket with it about 2" above the bottom edge, and sew around, backstitching at the top corners, because they get the most stress.
Step 5: Sew the exterior and lining
Clip the gusset to the first main panel, matching the top edges, and ease it around the bottom. I left my corners square, but you can round them like the original Joni pattern. Sew around, then add the second panel. Repeat with the lining, matching centers carefully. Add lining pockets now if you want them.
Step 6: Join the bag and turn it
Put the exterior inside the lining, right sides together. I take a slightly bigger seam allowance on my lining, so it's a snug fit. Match and nest the corner seams first, then sew around the top. Leave an opening in the bottom of the lining, turn the bag right side out, and press the top edge. Close the opening.
Step 7: Add the leather handles
Cut a leather strap in half and make sure both pieces are the same length. I marked my handle spots 2" in from the front seams. Before punching the strap, set a rivet cap on it to check the leather surrounds it. Press the cap down to leave a little dent so you know exactly where to punch. Push the post through the strap and bag, add the cap, and set it with a press. Make sure the strap isn't twisted! You can also sew sewable leather straps on instead of riveting.
Jump to a Step in the Video
- 1:38 Cutting apart the jeans
- 3:52 Cutting the pattern pieces
- 5:07 Interfacing stretchy denim
- 9:41 Cutting the gusset and lining
- 16:11 Removing and prepping the jeans pocket
- 24:17 Sewing on the pocket and gusset
- 27:35 Sewing the lining
- 30:48 Joining the lining and exterior
- 38:30 Riveting the leather handles
- 45:47 The finished bag
Upcycled Denim Bag FAQ
Do I need interfacing for a denim bag?
Only if your denim has stretch or feels thin. Woven fusible or SF101 keeps it from distorting while you sew.
How do I sew through thick denim seams?
Flatten them first with a nylon mallet, and cut out the bulkiest jeans seams instead of sewing through them.
How big a pair of jeans do I need?
Size 8 jeans were enough for my Joni Bag. For a bigger bag, look for larger jeans or piece several pairs together. Different colors of denim look great as stripes, too.
Can I sew the handles on instead of riveting?
Yes. Sew Hungry Hippie leather straps are sewable, so you don't need hardware. Rivets just add a fun denim look.
Can I sell upcycled bags?
Absolutely. Let people know it's the only one like it in the world, and price it that way!
More Projects You'll Love
- Sew the Joni Tote
- Striped Canvas Tote Sewing Tutorial
- Skirt to Zipper Pouch Upcycle
- Upcycled Corduroy Pants into a Zipper Pouch
- Skillbuilder Session: Rivets
Shop straps, lining fabrics, patterns, and tools and notions in the Sew Hungry Hippie shop.
Thanks for sewing along! If this helped, please subscribe on YouTube and join our email list for new tutorials and restocks.
Peace, Love, Sewing,
-Natalie
