How to Make a Purse Out of Your Kids' Jeans or Pants
Instead of giving away your kid's old jeans, make a small purse with them! It seems like kids grow out of their pants as fast as you can buy them. Do not miss out on the opportunity to make these clever purses that you can give away as gifts or customize to match your wardrobe.
Not only will these bags be stylish, but you can make them in any color, with any decorative flare to match your taste. The pockets in the pants make great places to store your cell phone and you can hook your keys to the belt loops.
This is a great project to do with your kids. The decorating possibilities are endless!
Things You'll Need:
Old jeans or pants. Any size will work. The bigger the size, the bigger the purse!
A sewing machine (though you could do this by hand if you have the skills)
Thread in the color of your choice
Ribbon
Scissors
Decorative beads or buttons(optional)
Fabric Markers (optional)
Step
1
Using a pair of scissors, cut the legs off of the pants right above the crotch. This determines where the bottom of your purse will be. Do not cut into the zipper area.
Step
2
Turn the pants inside-out and sew across the line you just cut to make the bottom of the purse. Use a zig zag stitch to do this as it will provide a stong stich that can hold the weight inside a purse. For more fun, do not turn the pants inside out. Rather, use a pretty colored thread and sew a zig zag stitch about 1/4 inch from your cut line. When you wash and dry the purse a few times, the leftover portion will onravel creating a fringed bottom.
Step
3
Turn the purse right side out if necessary. For added security you should line the purse with a fabric of your choice. Do this by using the outside jean part as a template for determining the size and shape of your fabric. Wrap the fabric arond the underside of the jeans and cout around it. Fold fabric in half widthwise and sew up the sides making a pouch. With the right side on the fabric on the inside of the pouch fold over the top of the fabric and stitch around. Place pouch inside the jean part and use a whipstitch to attach it.
Step
4
Cut a piece of ribbon the length you wish the strap or handle to be. Sew each end of the ribbon to the inside of the bag at the ouside hip seam. Be sure to fold over the ribbon to prevent fraying. A tight zig zag stitch works best for this.
Step
5
To decorate your purse, use some more ribbon and put it through the belt loops of the pants and tie a bow. You sould sew the ends of the ribbon beforehand to prevent fraying. You may choose to tack the bow down with some thread so it will not come undone.
Step
6
Use fabric markers, decorative beads, buttons, or anything else you can think of to decorate the bag. The possibilities are endless! Get creative!
Tips & Warnings
Because this bag will likely get used, it's a good idea to sew across the bottom twice to give extra strength.
If you don't have ribbon, you can use decrative rope, leather, or braided fabric scraps to make the strap.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2091178_purse-out-kids-jeans-pants.html
Instead of giving away your kid's old jeans, make a small purse with them! It seems like kids grow out of their pants as fast as you can buy them. Do not miss out on the opportunity to make these clever purses that you can give away as gifts or customize to match your wardrobe.
Not only will these bags be stylish, but you can make them in any color, with any decorative flare to match your taste. The pockets in the pants make great places to store your cell phone and you can hook your keys to the belt loops.
This is a great project to do with your kids. The decorating possibilities are endless!
Things You'll Need:
Old jeans or pants. Any size will work. The bigger the size, the bigger the purse!
A sewing machine (though you could do this by hand if you have the skills)
Thread in the color of your choice
Ribbon
Scissors
Decorative beads or buttons(optional)
Fabric Markers (optional)
Step
1
Using a pair of scissors, cut the legs off of the pants right above the crotch. This determines where the bottom of your purse will be. Do not cut into the zipper area.
Step
2
Turn the pants inside-out and sew across the line you just cut to make the bottom of the purse. Use a zig zag stitch to do this as it will provide a stong stich that can hold the weight inside a purse. For more fun, do not turn the pants inside out. Rather, use a pretty colored thread and sew a zig zag stitch about 1/4 inch from your cut line. When you wash and dry the purse a few times, the leftover portion will onravel creating a fringed bottom.
Step
3
Turn the purse right side out if necessary. For added security you should line the purse with a fabric of your choice. Do this by using the outside jean part as a template for determining the size and shape of your fabric. Wrap the fabric arond the underside of the jeans and cout around it. Fold fabric in half widthwise and sew up the sides making a pouch. With the right side on the fabric on the inside of the pouch fold over the top of the fabric and stitch around. Place pouch inside the jean part and use a whipstitch to attach it.
Step
4
Cut a piece of ribbon the length you wish the strap or handle to be. Sew each end of the ribbon to the inside of the bag at the ouside hip seam. Be sure to fold over the ribbon to prevent fraying. A tight zig zag stitch works best for this.
Step
5
To decorate your purse, use some more ribbon and put it through the belt loops of the pants and tie a bow. You sould sew the ends of the ribbon beforehand to prevent fraying. You may choose to tack the bow down with some thread so it will not come undone.
Step
6
Use fabric markers, decorative beads, buttons, or anything else you can think of to decorate the bag. The possibilities are endless! Get creative!
Tips & Warnings
Because this bag will likely get used, it's a good idea to sew across the bottom twice to give extra strength.
If you don't have ribbon, you can use decrative rope, leather, or braided fabric scraps to make the strap.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2091178_purse-out-kids-jeans-pants.html
