Denim Tote Bag
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Our Summer Farmers Market Manager Assistant, Clair Oduwa, hosted her first kids' activity club event beside the Uptown Good Food Farmers Market. She taught kids how to create a tote bag using recycled denim jeans and fabric. Clair made the design kid-friendly and made safety the first option, especially when handling sharp/dangerous items (scissors, hole puncher, etc.)
The kids' activity created a way to repurpose your old jeans or fabric. This step-by-step guide will help you create a unique handmade bag from your jeans.
Supply List:
- Old Jeans / Fabric of Your Liking
- Yarn
- Optional: ribbons
- Needle & Thread for fabric users
- Hole Puncher (scissors if you do not have)
- Fabric Scissors
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- First, select the fabric of your choice. Either old jeans or fabric of your liking
- Flip the jeans and fabric inside out.
- Cut the legs of your jeans to your desired length.
- Cut your jeans' inseam (inner leg seam) up to the bottom rise. The cut should make your jeans, which were just shorts, now a skirt.
- Cut 1 inch above the bottom of your jeans or fabric. Then, make another cut 1 to 2 inches next to that hole and continue until you fill the entire row.
- After you grab your yarn/thread and put it through both sides of the holes on your fabric/jeans
- Those using personal fabric would have to sew on both the west and east sides of their fabric.
- Push the fabric closer to one side of the end of the yarn.
- Tie the end of the yarn to the loop right next to it, and repeat that step with the yarn on the other side.
- After you tie both knots, turn the fabric or jeans inside out to display the outer side.
- Then, using the legs of the jeans, cut the side seam apart from the rest of the jeans. Repeat the step with another leg.
- Fabric users would use any fabric of their choice and cut it to their desired length, which is how long they want their handles to be
- Tie the side seam pieces to two belt loops in the front of your jeans, and tie the second side seam to two belt loops in the back of your jeans.
- Optional: If you want to add a personal touch or a pop of color, feel free to decorate your bag with ribbons, bows, or any embellishments. You can tie them onto the handles, stitch them onto the front, or add them wherever you like.
- You've created a stylish, eco-friendly bag from upcycled jeans or your fabric. This bag is perfect for casual outings, shopping trips, or as a handmade gift.
The denim tote bag is an idea brought by Clair Oduwa from her interest in mixing her city life with her passion for fashion and designing. The activity introduced kids to sustainable fashion and hands-on creativity. It encouraged them to explore their imagination, express their individuality, and discover the joy of turning everyday items into something uniquely theirs.