How to Sew Ruffled Denim Jeans Skirt and Jeans Leg Purse
Sewing can be so much fun especially when sewing for or with the young. I recently taught a beginner sewing class how to recycle old used denim jeans into other garments.
We made a ruffled jeans skirt with a Magic Sash and a jeans pant leg purse. The kids really enjoyed the class. It was interesting to see how they created their own versions of the denim handbag.
We made a ruffled jeans skirt with a Magic Sash and a jeans pant leg purse. The kids really enjoyed the class. It was interesting to see how they created their own versions of the denim handbag.
Ruffled Jeans Skirt Jeans Leg Purse
Simplicity has good directions on how to makeover a pair of jeans into a ruffled jeans skirt. I won’t repeat the instructions here.
The major difference was that my sample jeans skirt was only one ruffle in length and twice the width of the jeans. I tried to keep it simple for the kids.
The major difference was that my sample jeans skirt was only one ruffle in length and twice the width of the jeans. I tried to keep it simple for the kids.
How to Make a Ruffled Jeans Skirt
Try one of these favorite gathering techniques for the skirt.
How to Sew Purses from Denim Jeans Pant Legs
Here are simple instructions to makeover jeans pant legs into a shoulder purse.
Cut off the pant leg.
The hem of the pant leg is the top of the purse. Fold it down like a flap when you carry the purse.
Decorate the top hem edge of the purse with fun fur, ruffles, lace, trim of any kind or anything that you can imagine.
To attach the trim, place the leg over the free arm of your sewing machine to stitch it. Or, just fuse or glue whatever you want in place around the top edge of the purse. The kids love to do this and are very creative.
Sew across what is now the bottom of the purse to close it. You can sew with 2 right sides together and have an inside seam or sew with 2 wrong sides together and have an outside exposed seam allowance that you can fringe or decorate. It is your choice. Most kids chose to have the outside seam and decorate it or fringe it.
Cut strips of jeans fabric from the other leg to make a purse handle. Cut the strips about 2 inches wide and as long as you want the purse handle to be.
You may have to cut more than one strip and sew them together to get the length that you want.
Fold the raw edges of the strip in toward the center and press.
Fold again and press in half.
You can fuse the strap together if you wish. Fusing first helps to hold it in place and keep it from rippling while you top stitch.
Then topstitch or zigzag to make the strap for the purse.
Determine where you want to attach the handle so that the top folds over for a flap.
Attach the purse handles at that point on the underside of the flap.
Here is another version of a pant leg purse.
Enjoy your ruffled jeans skirt and jeans pant leg purse.
Add a Magic Sash to wear as a belt with the jeans skirt. Make it from some of the ruffle fabric and a coordinate or plain fabric or even denim and you are all set with a really cute outfit. Kids love it!
PS: While you are in the recycling mode, be sure to see this tutorial so you can learn how to makeover a tee shirt into a fun hoodie to go with your jeans skirt.
Tee hoodies are great gifts for family and friends of all ages. It is sew easy! Restyle your favorite tee shirts.
Cut off the pant leg.
The hem of the pant leg is the top of the purse. Fold it down like a flap when you carry the purse.
Decorate the top hem edge of the purse with fun fur, ruffles, lace, trim of any kind or anything that you can imagine.
To attach the trim, place the leg over the free arm of your sewing machine to stitch it. Or, just fuse or glue whatever you want in place around the top edge of the purse. The kids love to do this and are very creative.
Sew across what is now the bottom of the purse to close it. You can sew with 2 right sides together and have an inside seam or sew with 2 wrong sides together and have an outside exposed seam allowance that you can fringe or decorate. It is your choice. Most kids chose to have the outside seam and decorate it or fringe it.
Cut strips of jeans fabric from the other leg to make a purse handle. Cut the strips about 2 inches wide and as long as you want the purse handle to be.
You may have to cut more than one strip and sew them together to get the length that you want.
Fold the raw edges of the strip in toward the center and press.
Fold again and press in half.
You can fuse the strap together if you wish. Fusing first helps to hold it in place and keep it from rippling while you top stitch.
Then topstitch or zigzag to make the strap for the purse.
Determine where you want to attach the handle so that the top folds over for a flap.
Attach the purse handles at that point on the underside of the flap.
Here is another version of a pant leg purse.
Enjoy your ruffled jeans skirt and jeans pant leg purse.
Add a Magic Sash to wear as a belt with the jeans skirt. Make it from some of the ruffle fabric and a coordinate or plain fabric or even denim and you are all set with a really cute outfit. Kids love it!
PS: While you are in the recycling mode, be sure to see this tutorial so you can learn how to makeover a tee shirt into a fun hoodie to go with your jeans skirt.
Tee hoodies are great gifts for family and friends of all ages. It is sew easy! Restyle your favorite tee shirts.