Upcycled Denim Tote Bags from Old Jeans

5 min read

Old jeans pile up in every closet, and a worn pair still holds yards of sturdy denim. An upcycled denim tote bag gives that fabric a second life as a strong everyday bag. Denim carries groceries, books, and gym gear without tearing, and the faded patches and seams add character no new fabric can match. A tote from old jeans costs almost nothing and keeps good fabric out of the trash.

Pick jeans with little stretch for a tote that holds its shape. Rigid denim sews neatly and stays stiff enough to stand up. Two pairs of jeans give you enough fabric for a roomy tote with pockets. Wash and dry the jeans before you cut, because denim shrinks and the seams must be clean.

Cutting Denim Panels

Cut the jeans open along the inseams and lay them flat. Cut two rectangles 40 cm wide and 45 cm tall for the tote body, keeping one back pocket on each rectangle if you can. The back pockets become ready made outside pockets on the finished bag. Save the waistband and belt loops: the waistband makes a sturdy top edge, and belt loops make handy key loops.

Cut a rectangle 40 cm by 12 cm for the bottom gusset, and two strips 60 cm long and 8 cm wide for the handles. Use a denim needle in your sewing machine, because a regular needle bends on thick denim seams. Pin the pieces and check that the two body rectangles match before you sew.

Sewing the Tote Body

Place the two body rectangles right sides together and sew the sides and bottom with a 1 cm seam. Press the seams open. Sew the bottom gusset to the lower edge to give the tote a flat base. A flat base lets the bag stand up on the floor, which makes loading groceries much easier.

Turn the tote right side out and topstitch around the top edge for a crisp finish. Topstitching also strengthens the opening where the bag takes the most strain. If your machine struggles over the thick pocket seams, turn the handwheel by hand through those spots instead of forcing the motor.

Adding Handles and Pockets

Fold each handle strip in half lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the long edge. Turn the strip right side out with a safety pin and press it flat. Topstitch both long edges of each handle for strength. Sew one handle to the front of the tote and one to the back, 10 cm in from each side, with a square of stitching reinforced by an X across it.

The back pockets you kept are already usable pockets on the outside of the tote. Add a small inside pocket from a leftover leg panel if you want a place for a phone. Sew a belt loop near the top edge to clip keys. These small details make the tote as useful as any store bought bag.

Finishing and Using Your Tote

Trim all loose threads and press the finished tote. A fabric spray or a light coat of wax can water proof the denim if you plan to carry the tote in the rain. Test the handles by loading the tote with books and carrying it around the house.

Use the tote for shopping, the library, or the beach. Denim grows softer with each wash while staying strong. An upcycled tote proves that old jeans still have a long useful life ahead of them.

Denim Sources and Fabric Choices

The best denim for a tote comes from jeans you already own, but thrift stores are a rich source too. Look for jeans with intact back pockets and sturdy seams. A pair with a worn knee still gives you two good back panels and two usable pockets. Check the fabric content on the label: 100 percent cotton denim sews and ages best, while stretch denim with elastane can pucker at the seams.

Mix denim shades in one tote for a patchwork look. A dark indigo body with light wash pockets looks intentional and stylish. Keep the grain direction the same on both body panels so the tote hangs evenly. If you mix a thin denim with a heavy one, interface the thin panel with fusible interfacing so both sides feel the same weight.

Save every scrap from cutting the tote. Small denim pieces become patches

Save every scrap from cutting the tote. Small denim pieces become patches, pockets, key fobs, and coasters. A tote project that uses the whole pair of jeans wastes nothing and earns the name upcycled. Store the scraps in a labeled box so they are ready for the next project.

A denim tote also makes a good beach bag because the fabric dries quickly and sand shakes out of the seams. Add a zippered pocket inside for keys and a phone so nothing falls out on the sand. A tote that works at the market and the beach earns its place by the door.

A tote with a zippered pocket keeps a wallet and keys safe. Sew the pocket inside before you close the side seams. An inside pocket hides valuables from view.

A tote with reinforced handles carries heavy loads safely. Stitch a square with an X across it at each handle end. Reinforced handles never tear off.

Found a tip you liked here? The articles below have more of the same, starting with Best Out of Waste Craft Ideas for Class 3: Creative Learning Guide.

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