Recycled Jeans - Japanese Folded Patchwork Bag

[crafteedee]

I used these instructions to make the following bag out of recycled jeans & fabrics that friends sent me when I asked for things that represented America.
http://www.checkerdist.com/_media/_pdf/CGpatchworkbag.pdf
I did manage to complete it in a day.

I thought about adding a Levi's pocket, but haven't decided...


It could be made reversible if I added some trim at the top of this side, but I think some of the pieces are a bit dirty, so I'll keep the print side out.


Had to add a pix of my kitten going crazy with it.  

[instantk4rma]

  I don't know what's more beautiful, the cat or the bag! I had a kitty that looked just like that once I miss him!

That looks like an incredibly painstakingly difficult bag! You did an amazing job on it

[littlebluegirl]

That bag looks AMAZING! And that kitty is super cute!

[lulu9527]

Fantastic.  That must have taken you forever.  Is the lining just the back of the circles or did you put a separate lining in?

Yours is so awesome I may have to put this on my list of things to try.  Thanks for the link to the instructions.

[crafteedee]

Easier than it looks...

Fantastic.  That must have taken you forever.  Is the lining just the back of the circles or did you put a separate lining in?

No lining.  That's just the back of the circles.  I didn't add batting like suggested because I was using denim & that was just 1 more thing to do.  The bag is a nice sturdy weight...not wimpy.   

I already had my circles cut from YEARS ago...so that was already done.  Amazingly, it wasn't that difficult. The most tedious process was top stitching around the curves.  Oh...& turning the denim handles w/o a tube turner was quite a task.

I think it's more time consuming than difficult.  But the results are worth it!

I don't know what's more beautiful, the cat or the bag! I had a kitty that looked just like that once I miss him!

He's super mischievous but can be a snugglebug...  He's unofficially a Snow Bengal & his markings are still gradually appearing.

[ScrappySue]

Oh this is just fantastic!
Well done, congrats on great work!

[HSG]

Best jean project I've seen in a long time. 

[Binoo]

My goodness, what a super cute bag! And you made it in one day too, the cutting alone would have worn me out.

Thanks for the link and pattern too, that was very nice of you.

[Llola]

I love the bag!  I also love working with recycled jeans.  Thanks for the idea!

Here's a quilt I made last year using the same method.    It's a really fun easy way to make a quilt but it does use a bunch of thread.

[mariposaluna]

I love both the bag and the quilt!  Really awesome work!

It would be easier, I think, to do it with a single layer frayed edge folded over instead of 2 layers of denim. I might just have to give that a try!