How To Turn Old Denim Skirt Into A Tote Bag

Give your old denim skirt a second life and turn it into awesome tote bag!

 

I am sure that you have at least one old denim skirt in your closet, that is either out of style or it’s to big or to small. It is still in your possession because you think you may wear it one day or it has some sentimental value because it was a gift? Either way, it doesn’t have to take space in your closet. Reuse it! Turning old denim skirt into a tote bag is the answer and i will teach you step by step how to do it. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)!

 

I am happy to share with you how to turn old Denim skirt into a tote bag

 

What You Need To Turn Old denim Skirt Into A Tote Bag

How To Turn Old denim Skirt Into A Tote Bag

Here is a picture of mine old denim skirt

Rip the hem and iron around to straighten the fabric.

Turn the skirt left side out, pin the raw edges together and stitch 0.25″ from the raw edge.

Fold and pin both corners getting the seam in the center. I marked my corners 2.5” wide. Stitch following the marked line.

That’s how the bottom of the old denim skirt tote bag looks like now.

Lay your bag flat and measure the width on the top and bottom and the height.

Fold the lining fabric in half right side together and cut it 0.5” bigger then the bag.

Pin and stitch using 0.25” seam allowance the sides of the lining. Stitch both corners the same way as you did with the bag.

Turn the top raw edges 0.5” to the wrong side and iron.

Cut 2 – 4”x 26” pieces out of the lining fabric. Iron on the interfacing to the wrong side. Fold the long edges 0.25” to the wrong side and iron. Fold the pieces in half lengthwise aligning the folded edges. Iron first and then pin and stitch very close to the align edges.

 

Pin the straps to the inside of the skirt about 1.5” deep. Using straight stitch, stitch the straps with thread that matches the denim.

Insert the lining inside the bag and align the edges. Pin and hand stitch the lining to the denim all around.

 

There, you could stop here your old denim skirt tote bag looks pretty cool!

I decided to remove the string and add some yo- yo flowers on the front to make it look more fancy- schmancy :).

How to make yo-yo flowers for your old denim skirt tote bag

Cut 3 circles different sizes out of left over quilting fabric you used for lining and using zigzag stitch, overlock them. I used different sizes plates as templates. I wrote the diameter of the circles to give you an idea on how big the yo- yo’s will end up.

 

Thread the hand needle with a double-strand of thread for added durability, and knot the end. Use a running stitch to stitch along the outer edge, as shown. Note: the longer the stitch length used, the smaller the center opening will be in your finished yo-yo.

Pull gently the thread to gather the piece at the center. Press the piece gently with your hand to flatten and adjust the gathers as necessary to create a uniform circle. Secure the yo-yo by stitching twice through the gathers and sew on a button.

Get the needle with thread to the back of the yo-yo and sew it on to the front of your old denim skirt tote bag. Repeat the steps to make two more yo-yos.

I hope you are happy with your old denim skirt tote bag and had fun making it. I would love to see how it turned out! You are welcome to post a picture on my Facebook page and check out another old jeans upcycle idea at how to turn old jeans into a skirt post.

Happy Sewing!

 

Want To Remember This? Save The Old Denim Skirt Tote Bag To Your Favorite Pinterest Board!