I was messing about with my denim stash yesterday and ended up making this little bag from the leg of an old pair of jeans. It was the perfect size for our neighbourhood bread deliveries.
It worked so well and was so quick to make that I started experimenting with other fabrics. Three hours and ten bags later, and I’m happy to share the instructions!
Start with two rectangles of fabric – approximately 15″ x 11″ (38cm x 28cm). Also, cut a strap 2½” (6½cm) wide by whatever length you prefer. My handles all ended up different lengths, determined by whatever scrap I was using…
Place the rectangles right sides together. Cut 2″ (5cm) squares out of the bottom corners…
Sew the bottom and side seams, then overlock around the top. I overlocked all the seams just because it’s easier, but you could straight stitch and finish them if you prefer…
Now open up the fabric in the corners and match the side and bottom seams…
Stitch to form a boxed base…
Turn the top edge over and hem. At the same time, hem the long sides of the strap. At this point, down tools and go and iron everything as it will be harder to do so later…
Centre the strap over the side seams and attach it in place with two rows of stitching. That’s it, all done! Easy, right?
These bags are proving to be very useful! They’re the perfect size for one of my loaves…
…and for BYOing two bottles of wine to dinner…
I’ve made them in quilting scrap, denim, tea towels – just about any sturdy non-stretch fabric will work…
If you’re a bit more experienced and want to try making the bag from old jeans, you’ll need to make sure the leg circumference is wide enough (most skinny jeans won’t work). Make sure you have a sturdy sewing machine and walk the needle over the thick seams or risk breaking it (I learnt that the hard way).
Here’s how I cut the bag out of a jean’s leg…
I love how they turn out, but mitering the corners is a bit trickier. You could, of course, just leave that step out…
I love quick and easy sewing projects like this! The dimensions can be easily adapted as needed, so in theory the basic pattern could be used for everything from lolly bags to shopping totes (although the straps might need changing for the latter to provide more support).
I’ll be making them as bread and wine carriers, but I suspect we’ll find a multitude of different things to do with them. I hope you’ll give them a go! ♥
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Oh yes, don’t stop at bread and wine :)
I love these bags!!! My daughter got a sewing machine for Christmas and I think she may try to follow your directions! They seems pretty easy and detailed!
Wonderful! I hope she gives them a go! Thanks!
Thanks for the pattern. Love the box base. Lots of material to be extricated from storage! 👏
Very nice bags! Your instructions are always so easy to follow. The “boxing” of the bottom is a great idea.
Another fantastic project, Celia. I’m so glad you share your creativity with us. :-)
Love this! Thank you so much for sharing!
These are so cool. Love the corners.
A great way to recycled unused material or clothes :)
Great bags Celia!
It can still be a little tricksy, but if you take a hammer to the jeans seam you want to sew over (before it goes in the machine!), it’s often a little easier. I do this with most denim hems.
That’s a great tip, thank you! I’m not sure keeping a hammer by my old machine when the needles keep breaking is necessarily a good idea though.. 😂
I bought an old sewing machine to help a friend out 4 years ago. It is still sitting all lonely where i left it. Whenever I’ve attempted to feed the string through the maze I’ve always ended in tears! Pathetic I know. But ask me to cook you anything and I’ll do it with my eyes closed. Using a sewing machine? That’s me walking the plank! I’d gladly buy a couple of denim bags off you Celia! We love recycling and utilising. No good being wasteful.
Lovely bags Celia. Changing the subject – what size and make of enamel roaster do you use for your sourdough ?
I use the 30cm ones by either Falcon or Wiltshire. The Wiltshire ones are often heavily discounted at David Jones (they were $25 before Christmas) and sometimes at Victoria’s basement as well. If you’re in the US, you can get black ones quite cheaply on Amazon, from memory. The bigger ones work well too, but I can’t fit three into my oven at the one time. 😉
What a fantastic bag! Various sizes would make reusable gift bags too! Absolutely adore the one with the bunny fabric!
Thanks! That one was made from a tea towel! 😉
Gorgeous bags. Almost makes me think I could make one, but resewing a button maxes out my sewing skills.
So talented! Gorgeous!
Hi Lina, if its an Elna machine, I can talk you through the threading steps as I have quite a few old ones and know them well. If not an Elna, a couple of tips are to always thread with the presser bar raised so that the top thread tension discs are open for the thread to slip into. And if its bobbin case style, you need to adjust the tension spring on the case so that you can “dangle” the case by the thread tail and it will hang, but if you pull gently on it, the thread will pull out. Get the tension right on the bobbin case first, just very small turns of the screw with your little screwdriver to adjust in small increments. I love playing with sewing machines! I’d come play with yours if you live on the Gold Coast.
Thank you Carolyn for the written tutorial. It’s an old Singer with the electric foot pedal. I can see your love of sewing machines through your very helpful comment! And I was just about to ask if you’d come and play around with mine! hahaha… Unfortunately I’m down in Sydney but I’ll give it a go!
thank you.
These are gorgeous bags Celia, will be making some this weekend based on your design. These would make a great school fete item too.
Excellent idea and they’re really gorgeous! Need to make space to get my sewing machine and overlocker out again…
These are lovely work. Do you sell them?
Sorry no! Thank you though for the kind compliment!