I had a stack of jeans in my closet that I no longer wear but couldn’t bring myself to throw away. Jeans tend to accumulate, so I finally decided to do something creative with them. I even rescued a few of Jeff’s jeans that were too large for him and brought them all to the studio. After bleaching one pair for extra texture and teaming up with Rachel, we turned the denim into an upcycled clutch that I absolutely love.
If you’d like to make one yourself, here’s a clear step-by-step guide.
Materials:
- 7-inch zipper
- Old pair of non-stretch jeans
- Straight pins
- Thread
- Chalk or disappearing ink pen
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
Instructions:
1. (Optional) Lighten the denim. If you prefer a lighter or more textured look, spray the jeans with bleach. Place the jeans in a sink, spray bleach evenly, and let it sit until you achieve the desired color. Wear gloves and rinse the fabric in water to stop the bleaching process. Do not soak the jeans until you can see the color change you want. The photos show the jeans after bleaching.
2. Make a template and mark your shape. Once the jeans are fully dry, plan the clutch shape. We chose a half-circle. Lay the zipper along the top edge of the fabric, add one inch of seam allowance on each side of the zipper, then trace a circular object to create the curved bottom. Connect the curve to the top zipper area. Remember the finished clutch will be about 1/2 inch smaller all around after sewing because of the seam allowance.
3. Cut the denim pieces. Cut along the traced line, making sure to cut through both layers of fabric at once so the front and back pieces match exactly.
4. Attach the zipper. With right sides together, align the zipper edge to the top edge of one denim piece so the zipper pull and the exterior design are on the same side. Pin in place.
5. Sew the zipper. Use your sewing machine to stitch the zipper to the fabric. Back-tack—stitch backward for a few stitches—at both the start and end to secure the seam. Repeat for the opposite edge of the zipper and the second denim piece.
6. Open the zipper halfway. This step is important. Open the zipper halfway before you sew the rest of the clutch so you can turn the piece right side out later.
7. Pin and sew the clutch edges. With right sides together, pin the front and back pieces along the traced curve. Sew around the edge, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Back-tack at the beginning and end to prevent unraveling.
8. Clip the curves. Make small notches along the sewn edge, especially on curves, to help the fabric lie flat when turned. Be careful not to cut through the stitching line.
9. Turn and finish. Turn the clutch right side out through the opening left by the half-open zipper. Gently push out the curves and press if needed. Your denim clutch is ready to use.
I love this clutch for carrying essentials to lunch or when I want a small bag for quick outings—just slip it out of a larger purse and go.
Take it further: Add a wrist strap for hands-free convenience. A 1/2-inch leather strap or fabric loop sewn into the side seam makes the clutch more practical for on-the-go use.
Sewing and styled photos by Rachel Brewer.
Styling and tutorial photos by Brittni Mehlhoff.
Do you have a pair of old jeans you could repurpose like this? What other clothing items have you transformed into something new? I’d love to hear your ideas.