Upcycled Denim Purse

Before we get into the good stuff, I have to get something out there.
I've only posted four times in almost four weeks.
I know this.
I know you all deserve more, but, unlike others, I don't think I'm a bad blogger nor do I make apologies for my break.

My aunt and uncle were visiting.
I hadn't seen them in ages and I don't know when I'll see them again.

I was taking time off work.
I was taking time off from the world.

We were having oodles of fun.

For none of that am I sorry.

How do you like them apples?

One of the many, many, many projects we tackled while Auntie P was visiting was an upcycled denim purse/tote.

Is that not the cutest thing ever? I love mine!  

I know they have been done before.

I know they are a bit retro.

But, there are some magical things about these that make them amazeballs!

We originally pinned this tote.

via

We loved the idea of a big tote.  

Auntie P and I headed out to the local thrift store where we picked up kids jeans for $2.00.
We headed home, broke out the sewing machine and clicked on the pinterest link.
Uh oh!
Dead end.

The link just lead to a picture.
There was no tutorial!!
Now, that's just plain unacceptable.

"What on earth are we going to do with the jeans now?" was my first thought.
That's when the crafting genius in us took over.
No joke.
We looked at the jeans, figured out how to deconstruct them and then went about formulating a plan.
We knew we wanted to line them too so we broke out my scrap fabric bin and set to work.

On a side note, because we all know I love a good side note, I chose a pair of Polo jeans for my bag.
I loved that the back pockets buttoned closed. It would be perfect for the back of my purse.  As I was deconstructing them I noticed the tag and it made me giggle.

My US Polo Association jeans, with the American flag on the tag, were made in Pakistan. Ha!  No bueno, Mr. R. Lauren.

Back on track...today, you just get the finished product.  I wanted to make sure the plan would work before I took the time to take pictures for a tutorial, so for now, you just get a glimpse at our delightful handy work.  For this, I apologize.  Not before, but now.  You're welcome.

In the weeks to come, I will be making one for Sis, now that we've worked out the kinks, and will be taking pictures for a tutorial to share with all you lovely ladies and gents.

We made some mistakes with mine.
Auntie P's got better.
Sis' will be perfection!

Here's another little side note for you.
Auntie P was surprised that anyone with our bloodline would own a sewing machine. You see, my grandmother, her mother, used to use a pedal machine to sew on my grandfather's patches on his military uniform.  She HATED to sew.  It made her so nervous.  As her foot would move the pedal back and forth, she would say "Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit." to the rhythm of the pedal. The faster she pedaled  the faster she swore.  I assured Auntie P that was not me. Besides, I don't have an old fashioned pedal machine.  Not five minutes later, I jammed the machine.  As I was trying to go through 8 layers of denim it jammed and I cussed a blue streak. I looked across the table at Auntie P and said "oops, looks like I have grandma's tendencies after all."

Anywho, after MUCH cussing, here is my finished purse.
One thing that makes ours different than others you've seen is that ours have a bottom on them.
They sit nicely and don't flop over.

Front: complete with pockets for keys and such.

Another thing, we used the side leg seam to make the handles.  The extra stitching gave them some stiffness so they stand up as well.

Back, complete with button flap pockets.

There's a surprise in my purse.

GO, STEELERS!

Oh, and we sewed pockets inside too, so I guess there were two surprises.

Inside: complete with pockets where the arrows are.

Didn't they turn out great?!!?!

This project is being shared on the following blogs:  DIY Home Sweet Home, Craft O Maniac, Skip to my Lou, Sumo's Sweet Stuff, Sugar Bee Crafts, C.R.A.F.T., Brassy Apple, The Dedicated House, Sarah Dawn Designs, This Gal Cooks, Alderberry Hill, The Gunny Sack, Mad in Crafts, I Should be Mopping the Floor, 4th Grade Frolics, My Favorite Finds, Sew Can Do, New Nostalgia, My Favorite Finds, Cowgirl Up!, Not Just a Housewife, Today's Creative Blog, Diamond in the Stuff, Homework, Funky Polkadot Giraffe, Home Stories A2Z, Blackberry Vine, The Winthrop Chronicals, A Bowl Full of Lemons, Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Chef in Training, DIY Dreamer,  Someday Crafts, Savvy Southern Style, My Girlish Whims, Free Pretty Things, Printabelle, Ginger Snap Crafts, Southern Lovely, DIY by Design, Uncommon, Creations by Kara, Sugar and Dots, 733, White Lights on Wednesdays, 36th Avenue, Growing up Gabel, Lil Luna, Dragon Fly Designs, A Creative Princess, 52 Mantels, Two Yellow Birds Decor, House of Hepworths, Yesterday on Tuesday, The Shabby Creek Cottage, Beyond the Picket Fence, Fireflies & Jellybeans, Katie's Nesting Spot, Momnivore's Dilemma, Something Swanky, Happy Hour Projects, Answer is Chocolate, Ladybird Ln., A Little Knick Knack, My Simple Home Life, My Repurposed Life, Little Becky Homecky, The Grant Life, It's a Hodgepodge Life, Miss Information, Crafty Junkie Too, Happy Hour Projects, Bacon Time, 504 Main, Shabby Nest, Romantic Home, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, Tidy Mom, Joyful Stamper, Fingerprints on the Fridge, Crafty Scrappy Happy, Kitchen Fun, Stuff & Nonsense, Whipper Berry, Nap Time Crafters, At the Picket Fence, Just us Four, Blissful & Domestic