Hello internet!
I decided to show you all how i create my little denim cross body bags. These denim bags are so much fun to create so I thought I would make a little picture tutorial. I just start out with a pair of old Jeans and some cotton fabric. It is easiest to cut away all of the thick seams on the jeans as the sewing machine and serger really don't like to have anything that thick go through them. Cut your large denim pieces into rectangles (size is up to you, I did 12 x 14 inches) or piece together to add some dimension to your bag.
This one has a fun little butterfly on both sides of the denim pieces. You should attach your pockets now too. If you want to add a pocket from the front of your jeans it is easiest to serge around your edge and then sew on your denim rectangle (not pictured) the multi colored fabric will be the lining and one side of the strap. Measure from your hip over your opposite shoulder to the same hip to find out how long your strap should be. I cut the width to 3 inches and length was 27 as the bag is for a tall 3 year old. My bag strap was 50 inches long. You can serge or sew your rectangles right sides together at this point.
Next you will want to sew your strap together. I like the look of pieced denim with a little realtree camouflage thrown in so that is what I used. Piece it as you like making sure that you have it long enough to fit around the person it is for. Sew or serge the cotton strap right side together to the Jean strap to make an inside out tube. I used a 5/8 seam or serge my edges. If you want a narrow strap it is better to use two layers of denim right sides out and serge the edges.
Next turn your strap right side out and top stitch the edges as you would like. I generally move my needle over to the right side and use a straight stitch.
I decided to serge these bags so that is what you see here in the large picture. Keep them inside out and match up the bottom seam to the edge seam as shown in the large picture. This will make a triangle shape. (You will do this a total of 4 times, twice on both bags)
I don't measure or pin. I just place the tip of the triangle on the edge of my metal face plate and sew a straight stitch. Back stitch on both the start and finish of these seams in order to have a strong seam. I do not clip the thread tails as they will all be hidden inside the bag.
Turn the denim bag right side out. You can attach the strap denim side to denim side with pins now if you want to hide the ends inside the bag or wait and sew them on the outside once the bag is finished. This bag has them attache now. Make sure your strap is now twisted and keep everything but the ends out if the way of the top edge of the bag. You will then slide the denim bag into the cotton bag which is still inside out.
I actually pin the bags together at this point so that the side seams match. Be sure to leave a hole so that you can turn the bag right side out! I like about 3 inches of the bag unseamed. I also back stitch over the straps to reinforce them. Now comes the fun part! Put your fingers into the unseen hole and pull out the bottom of the denim bag and strap. This might be a bit hard to pull but go slow and ease the bag out.
You now have a cute little bag that just needs a few more steps to finish it up. Pin your edge flat and tuck in the unseen edge that you pulled the bag through inside the bag. The kidlet decided that she wanted the pretty stitching for her bag. I sew the top of the bag really close to the edge so that it will catch all of the unfinished edge. The bottom picture shows where I place the seam of the top of the bag and the strap.
Sew around the top of the bag and clip your tail threads. You are done unless you did not attach your strap yet. If you still need to it is best to use a box seam so it is strong enough. Happy sewing, until next time! Shannon
