Learn to sew a DIY denim clutch from old jeans, in about an hour with this easy to follow tutorial.

I accept a pile of jeans sitting in my cupboard right at present that I merely don't clothing anymore. For some reason, when it comes to jeans, I never want to toss them (or donate them). Then they end of piling up until I tin can't have information technology anymore. And that twenty-four hour period has come! And actually, I was able to snag a few pairs of Jeff'southward jeans too that are too big for him.

So, I brought all of our quondam jeans into work, bleached a pair to listen then up and give 'em a bit more visual texture, and Rachel helped me whip up an upcycled jean clutch that I'chiliad officially obsessed with.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

Desire to brand your own? Hither'southward how…

Materials:

  • 7 inch zipper
  • old pair of non-stretch jeans
  • straight pins
  • thread
  • chalk or disappearing ink pen
  • scissors
  • sewing machine

Instructions:

1. (Optional) Earlier you go started, if you're unhappy with the color of the jeans you are using, an easy solution is spraying them with bleach. This volition lighten them up and give them a more uneven, realized look (which I like – just information technology's a preference matter).

To bleach the jeans, put them in a big sink, add together bleach to a spray bottle, and spray abroad. Be sure to wear gloves and give the jeans a few minutes to sit with the bleach on it before soaking them in water to stop the jeans from deteriorating. Do not soak the jeans in h2o until y'all can visibly run across the change in color that yous are looking for.

The jeans in the before photo are what they looked like afterwards I bleached them (forgot to accept a motion-picture show before the bleaching process).

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

2. Once the jeans are completely dry, create a template for your clutch. I wanted a half circle, so we laid the zipper downwardly at the top of the fabric, and then added an inch on each side of the attachment, and traced a circular object with chalk to get a skilful shape for the bottom (then connected that area to the tiptop zipper area.

Keep in mind when you draw the shape that your finished clutch will be at least i/2 smaller all the way effectually once sewn because of the seam allowance.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

3. Next, cut out the chalk shape from your jeans, making sure to cut through both layers of the jeans (and being conscientious to go along both layers of the jean together while cutting, so they are exactly the aforementioned.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

4. Now that you accept the front and back pieces of the jean clutch gear up to become, information technology's fourth dimension to start sewing. First up, is the zipper… Marshal the fabric border of the zipper (right sides together) to the top edge of the clutch so the pattern and the zipper pull are on the same side.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

5. Pin the zipper and the cloth together using straight pins (come across photo). So using your sewing machine, sew together them together. Back-tack (run up backwards for a few stitches to anchor the stitch) at the beginning and end to forbid unraveling. Repeat this for the opposite attachment edge and the other piece of denim fabric that was cut from the jeans.

half-dozen. Open the attachment halfway.Don't skip this step.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

7. Pin the clutch with the right sides together. Sew the clutch along the shape that yous initially traced (which will requite you at least a 1/2″ seam allowance). Again, back-tack at both the starting time and cease to prevent unraveling.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

8. Cutting small vents along the sewn border of the clutch, especially at curves and corners. The spacing betwixt the cut vents will depend on the size of your clutch, just be conscientious to not cutting through the sewn line.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

9. Plough the clutch right side out and information technology'south prepare to use.

I actually like the modest size for essentials when I'm headed out to lunch, etc. I just accept it out of my bigger bag and head out.

How to transform old jeans into a denim clutch in about an hour

Take it further: Yous could as well add a little wrist handle, with a ane/2 wide leather strap to keep your hands free.

Sewn DIY Denim Clutch

Sewn DIY Denim Clutch

Learn to sew a DIY denim clutch from old jeans, in about an hour with this easy to follow tutorial.

Sewing + styled photos by Rachel Brewer
Styling + tutorial photos past Brittni Mehlhoff

Practice you lot have a pair of erstwhile jeans that would piece of work for this DIY clutch idea? Can you recollect of any other ways to reuse old article of clothing like this? Would love to hear your ideas.