Purses

I've never been a huge purse person, really. But I got an idea from this:





The main problem, of course, is that I am SOOOooooo not the beady bling type. So I got a pair of jeans from a rummage sale ($.50, big spender!) and gave it a try. I didn't go for the boxy look, either, but more of a soft bohemian look. I also went for long, jeans handles.

I'll post a pic later - I don't have it off the camera yet!

But then, I started thinking - of my old college jeans. I wore those to everything. Everywhere. Lots of holes, patches...but also, drawings. My cousins' husband (then boyfriend) drew my eyes on them at a concert when we were waiting for grass seats. They are extremely special to me...but of course, they dont' fit anymore!

So, being brave, I cut into the jeans to make a purse (trust me, I know that twinge when you think of something you love being cut up into something else). I cut off all the drawings and ripped off the patches. I thought later that I should have taken pics along the way - it also occurred to me that I didn't have a photo of the jeans before - or of me in them! Ah, well.

I cut them off just at the crotch and evened them out. Then, I took all the old drawings from the jeans and cut them into spiffy shapes and pinned them on. I decided to sew them with a 1/4" seam only, but then they'll fray into the seam, which I think really looks cool (I helped a few of them along). I re-stitched all of the patches, then decided to make a bottom for the bag (bad pun, I know) - but I didn't want to put anything like cardboard in there, so it's really just flat with a gusset.

Stitched it all up - lined, and...


Voila! My cool college-jeans purse!

I love it!

I also put together a black lining with black ties to hold it together. Then, I decided to continue the theme and cut some of the lining as a belt, but sewed a white seam and fringed it to the seam.

I am ecstatic to have my college jeans where I can see and enjoy them!

Next up: a pillow out of my dad's old sweater (to give to my nephew, my dad died 15 years ago) and a pillow out of a loved t-shirt that I can't fit into. I love the repurposing of these clothes. I think it may be a passion.

Pics soon!