Upcycled Blue Jeans Messenger Bag

Upcycled Denim Messenger Bag -Pockets on the Front Flap

 

Denim Messenger Bag -Open Flap showing the inside pocket

 

 Denim Messenger Bag - Back Side

This is where that inner pocket was supposed to be according to the pattern.

Denim Messenger Bag - Drop-in Lining, showing inner pockets.

I used more of the thrift store curtains I used for the denim backpack a few weeks ago. 

I'm still in the bag-making mode.  I caught this video on YouTube from Man Sewing with Amy Barickman from Indigo Junction:

Indygo Junction also has a $5 pattern that explains how to make these blue jean messenger bags.  It was helpful to hear her explain what to look for in thrift store jeans, and the best way to cut them apart to maximize the available yardage.  

From the video, basic supplies are:

• 2 pair recycled blue jeans (She explains what to look for and the optimal size on the video)
• 1/2 yard lining fabric
• basic sewing supplies (scissors, thread, pins, sewing machine, chalk marker, etc.)

 

What I would do different next time:

If I were to re-make it for my own purposes I would not use denim on the back of the front flap, as it adds to the overall weight of the bag without adding any real pockets or storage capacity. I'd probably use more of the lining fabric instead.  Alternatively, I might turn it into a real pocket unto itself.

I also shortened up that front flap, as it seemed too big and floppy in my rendition, so I trimmed off 2 inches along the bottom.  No regrets there. 

I added pockets to the lining inside the bag.

As it came out, it's very narrow -- only 2 inches wide.  Even though you cut the gusset strip at 3 inches, by the time you sew 1/2-inch seams it really digs into the available space in terms of the depth of the bag.  I'm not planning to carry a big ol' laptop in this bag anyway.  

Another bag done! Hurray!

This might be it for my forays into upcycling denim jeans.  My sewing machine did very well with the backpack a few weeks ago, but has been protesting with some of the extra thicknesses.  So I think I'll go back to regular fabrics and quilting for a while.

Rag Rugs on the Loom

These are some of the latest rag rugs still on the loom.  This one is more of the merino wool strips from Pendleton Woolen Mill.  These are so nice!  I'll definitely be making more of these!


This one uses the $1-per-pound wooly worms, cut off salvedges from Pendlteon Woolen Mill.  I died this batch Cerulean Blue to better tie the disparate colors together, and to spruce up the grays.  Not sure I like working with the wooly worms -- there's a lot of dust with these.   At first, I did not sew the ends together, but it was taking too long to weave to futz with properly joining the ends in the actual weaving.  So in the end, I finally just sewed the ends together randomly.  The weaving went much faster then.  I do like the randome-ness and the nubby bits -- that are still soft.


I really like the way this one is shaping up, and how the colors are coming together.  It looks very ocean-y or sea-side-y.    It reminds me of this image from the seasside just under the Skye Bridge in Scotland :

  Isle of Skye, Scotland -- The seaside, near the Skye Bridge.

Anytime I can work Scotland into a post is a good day!

 

And finally, a denim rug, using the 1-1/2-inch strips from Rugs in the Woods.

It's shaping up nicely! 

Apple Bag for Market

 I made this nifty little market bag based on one I had seen at the Quilting Friends Quilt Retreat a few weeks ago.  Bev always brings "Bonnie Good" apples from her tree.  This year, she brought them in a cute market bag made with pin stripe denim and red bandana fabric.  I loved it, and decided I had to make one of my own.  Even got to use it this weekend to carry a gallon of Cider. 'Tis the Season!

And yes--Bev used to work at Oshkosh  B'Gosh when it was local, so the denim was left over from that long-ago era.  I had to buy some new denim, as I did not have this in my stash.  ;-)

 Reversible Bag Pattern and Tutorial is from Very Purple Person's Blog.

It has a very nice shape with the darts in the corners.  I have to say I did not follow the instructions exactly, as I could not make sense of how she handled the straps, so I just put binding on that part.

Cheers!