Repurposing A Pair Of Jeans Challenge ~ Project 1

For this first repurposing project, I’m going easy and using one of the pockets.  The jeans I’m repurposing are carpenter jeans and have these really nice sized back pockets.  One thing some of you may like about this project is that there is no machine sewing involved at all!  Just a bit of hand sewing, as well as some fabric glue and some iron-ons for embellishments.

I decided to make a little purse for my 5-year-old granddaughter.  I cut out one of the back pockets and included the portion of jeans that the pocket was attached to.  I also cut along one of the binding seams so that I could use that as a strap for the purse.

I hand sewed the strap piece on to the pocket.  Keep a thimble handy as it helps to push that needle through this thick section of fabric. 

I had some pink iron-on letters in my supplies and just made it to do my granddaughter’s name, which fit perfectly at the bottom of the pocket.  She loves animal print, so I used some of this leopard print ruffle trim I had gotten at Hobby Lobby on clearance a few months ago, knowing I would use it for different things I make for her.  

I attached the two pieces I used here with fabric glue (Aleene’s is the fabric glue I like).  I usually stick a piece of cardboard between two pieces of fabric when I’m using fabric glue, it keeps it from seeping through to the fabric behind.

Then because I didn’t want anything she might put in it to fall out, I went with a large snap closure, which I also hand sewed in place.

In about an hour I had this cute little purse all done!  I did leave it overnight for the fabric glue to dry fully, before presenting it to her.

I looked on Pinterest to find some other items you could make with the pockets.  Pot holders. 

Source: Simply Soares

Coasters or mug rugs.

Source: Hunted Interior

A phone charger holder.

Source: Wonderful DIY

Organizers.

Source: DIY Enthusiasts

Or how about a gift card holder.

Source: Art By Wanda

And here it is being modeled by it’s happy recipient!  With a new baby photo bomb.

So there’s one project down and I still have (practically) the whole pair of jeans waiting to be transformed!  I have another easy project coming up for next week.