Sunday, June 29, 2008

Recycled Bag Tutorial

I had some time to sew a while ago and found myself not wanting to do anything too serious. I had a stack of old clothes sitting in my bedroom waiting to be repurposed and a number of little people in my life are starting school. So, I was inspired by them to make kiddie messenger bags.

Here they are:

Here is my excited model:

Here are more calm pictures of the girl wearing the bags. This one went to her cousin in Prague.


This one went to her super cool friend. Rock 'n Roll, baby!!


Do you have old jeans lying around waiting to be given a new life? Download the tutorial here and make one for your little ones. I find the size works as a small handbag for an adult too. You may just want to make the strap a little shorter to make it a clutch. I'd love to see photos if you make one. Happy sewing!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

So cute!! Recycled bag is really a nice idea.. I already got a nice school bag for my son from Childrens Place at very genuine price.

Kate said...

Thanks for a great tutorial. I'm adding it to the to-do list. And what a cute model!!

Holly said...

Thanks so much for the tutorial, I got here through SewMamaSew! I made one last night and my 3 year old LOVES it! I'm a new sew-er, but it was totally do-able with your detailed instructions and nice pictures. Thanks again!

Granola said...

Thank you, thank you! I finally got around to posting about the bag I made from your tutorial. I love it and hope to make another for my other son soon. You do an excellent job of explaining the steps.

Anonymous said...

Hello!--
I'm trying to reach you to request permission to link to your tutorial (and share a photo) for our upcoming Handmade Holidays on the Sew,Mama,Sew! blog. I couldn't find your contact information (though it is late and I know I have it somewhere in my email archive!). Would you mind emailing so I can give you the details? We love your project and would like to share it with our readers.

Thank you!
Beth
beth(at)sewmamasew(dot)com

Cucicucicoo said...

I know this post is from forever ago, but I just love this tutorial and can't wait to have a bit of time to try it out!

Mae said...

Thank you for this great tutorial - It was just what I was looking for. My soon-to-be-9 year old daughter's birthday party is coming up this weekend and she wants a "Spy" party. I thought I would make bags using a black twill fabric I had along with a fun print for lining. I searched the web for over an hour until I found your tutorial! I was thrilled - your tutorial is perfect, easy and quick (no gussets and very simple sewing). The bags are turning out perfectly! I am so happy with the results - I just had to let you know! Thank you so much!

SamanthaC said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial! I had a blast making these and now just need more jeans ;) Link to my blog with the pics....

http://sammyblog.wordpress.com/

battgirl said...

Thank you Lang Lang. The project is GREAT and your instructions are super easy to follow. Thanks for the step by step photos. All the best

http://battgirlproject.blogspot.com/2010/12/messenger-bags-for-kids.html

Jo said...

I just wanted to say that after searching for ages I found your tutorial, as someone who has only just got my sewing machine and never made anything with it before, this was so easy to follow. My daughter loves her bag (i adapted your pattern to not use jeans and its still fab!!) thank you thank you thank you!!!