Monday, June 1, 2009

Firsts on the First - Making a Purse from Jean Legs

This week I broke out the sewing machine, a rare and sometimes frustrating event in this house. The first project on the docket was to cut off and hem some old jeans for my seven year old to wear around the house. With that task accomplished, I was left with six jean legs. Feeling a little brave, I determined to create something with them. 

A tutorial for a Jean Leg Purse looked like the easiest project. Lydia wanted to help me, and wanted to create the purse for her cousin whose birthday is this week. We got to work. 

We started by cutting the leg to the length we thought would work best. Then Lydia cut the seam off of the leg. 
 

Next we sewed the bottom of the purse together. Then we clipped up from the bottom to the seam about every 1/4 inch to create a fringe on the bottom of the purse. A fringe was also created in the same way at the top of the purse. 


From the extra piece of the leg created when we cut the purse to size, we cut nine strips about 3/4 of an inch wide. 

These were sewn together in threes to create three longer strips. The three long strips were then braided together, and attached to the top of the purse to create the purse strap. 


Next came the decorative part. We used a different material to cut out hearts and a monogram. These were then sewn onto the outside of the bag. This was the most difficult part of the project I thought.


And the finished product. The outside pocket was already part of the jeans. I thought it would be a nice place for a cell phone. 





Overall I am happy with the results. I am thrilled that I actually sewed something. I still have five jean legs left. Any ideas?


Did you take the challenge this month? Did you try something new? Share it with us by adding your post url to the Mr. Linky below. Links back to Firsts on the First are appreciated!


9 comments:

  1. Cute! Perhaps making it a bit shorter? Also, have you thougth about combing two legs together to make it wider and a lot shorter and angling up in the shape of a purse? Just thoughts. I like the designs you added. Great idea!

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  2. I made a couple of jean purses from the TOP of the jeans and used a leg to create the handles. They were just so cute.

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  3. yes I did think it turned out a bit long and skinny too. Thanks for the suggestions.

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  4. cute! YOu did a great job. :)
    You could use the other jean legs to make denim pillows. You'd just have to stuff them and sew up the ends.

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  5. http://www.instructables.com/id/Jeans-Cuff-Wallet/

    http://www.instructables.com/id/Cool_amp_Comfy_Recycled_Blue_Jean_Car_Cushion/

    http://www.mycraftbook.com/craftidea.asp?craftID=39

    http://www.mycraftbook.com/CraftIdea.asp?
    craftID=40
    http://quilttaffy.blogspot.com/2008/11/karens-levi-apron-tutorial.html
    http://www.instructables.com/id/Bed-Book-Bag-From-Jeans/
    http://www.chicaandjo.com/2008/09/04/make-a-denim-apron-with-fun-pockets/
    http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2aug2007.htm
    http://www.craftathome.com/Instructional/bluejeanjournal.html
    http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=1223

    Enjoy!

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  6. How about a jean quilt? I've always wanted to do that. Front layer and back layer patches of jeans sewn together then to "quilt" it, just do a yarn tie. You sew it through front into back and back through then knot the yarn and tie a little bow maybe. Just a thought. You could even do a lap quilt for a gift and have people do handprints on the patches.

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  7. Love that purse! Thanks so much for participating in this week's homesteading carnival!
    blessings,
    Catherine

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  8. Great recycling!

    I make raggety and tie quilts with all of my extra jeans and jean pieces.
    Here is a link to a post on my blog with a picture - http://homesteaderbellesblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/making-quilts-from-old-clothing.html

    Belle

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  9. Great Recycling/reusing idea!

    I like to make raggety and tie blankets with all of my extra jeans, jean pieces, and any other clothing I have.
    I have a picture of the blue jean raggety quilts I make on my blog.

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