Jeans make and do

Most items of clothing can find a new life after they’ve served their original purpose.

Here I show you how to give a pair of jeans into a couple of new uses…

You will need:

• old pair of jeans (I used a pair of children’s jeans but you can use any size)
• ribbon
• pinking shears
• scissors
• pins
• sewing machine (or you can hand stitch)

To make the purse:

This is so simple. All you do is cut around a back pocket with pinking shears (to stop the fabric fraying and it looks nice). That’s it! Open up the pocket flap and fill with money, sweets, whatever!

[Show as slideshow]

To make the drawstring bag:

1. This makes use of one of the legs. First cut the leg down to whatever length you want your bag to be, measuring from the bottom of the leg up.
2. Turn your tube of jeans inside out and pin the rough cut end so the right sides are pinned together. Sew a line 1cm from the edge, double stitch at each end to secure the threads. Cut the excess material off with pinking shears to help stop the edges fraying. Turn the bag the right way round.
3. To make the holes for the drawstring, snip holes at even intervals along the top of the bag, just under the seam, which is already made from being the bottom of your jean leg. Thread a length of ribbon through the holes. You might find it easier to fasten a safety pin on the end of the ribbon to help push it through the holes.
4. When you’ve threaded ribbon all the way around the top of the bag simply knot the two ends together to stop them disappearing back through the holes and to make a handle.

You can use your jean bag to store or carry all kinds of things and because it’s made from denim it’s very strong and durable!

[Show as slideshow]

Find gifts, art, accessories and decorations handmade by Gabrielle at thegreengables.co.uk. The Green Gables is currently offering £5 to spend at Gabrielle’s shop exclusively for all Daisy readers. Find out more