School’s out for summer, and The Boy has successfully made it through Grade 2! Wahooot! I made him a denim messenger bag to celebrate his accomplishment. Tonight we may even have cake… CAKE I tell you. Wouldn’t that be totally clever yet atypical of me? Especially if it turns out?
Yes… so the instructions I used to make the messenger bag can be found right HERE at Sew Grown. It is a really great step-by-step tutorial. Super-easy to follow! I pretty much did as I was told mostly sort of. Since I was re-using old jeans, I incorporated some aspects of the original jeans in the bag. For example, the back pocket on the bag is actually a back pocket. Yuh-huh. And the strap is just the cut off waistband with belt loops left in place. Tricky.
The recipe called for D-rings, but incredibly I couldn’t find any in the stash so I had to improvise. I cut off the opening of a shampoo bottle twice which yielded two tough plastic rings ideal for the job. They resemble eyes, don’t you think? Look, they’re sizing you up I think.
The Boy has a thing for all things red and patriotic, and as it happens Canada Day is coming up on July 1st, so I thought an embroidered maple leaf might be a cute and appreciated detail on the front flap there. I certainly hope he likes it. One can never tell.
Oh, by the way, today is link-up day for June’s Patriotic Point of View…
And I’m playing along here! Have you ever made anything with a patriotic theme? Well, head on over there and link that baby up!
Oh, wow, this is amazing! I'm sure the Boy just loves it. I'm always thrilled to see a good boy project on the web.
Ooh, I love how you personalized the project! The rings are so cool – why would you need store-bought D-rings when trash exists and you are Michele Pacey? Um, you just wouldn't. I esp. love that the bag is masculine but decorative as well – you always perform that difficult balancing act when making something for one of your guys.
What a fantastic bag and I'm sure your son is thrilled with it. As always, great use of on hand materials.
That is way cool! :o) As a fellow Canadian I'd love to sport a bag like that!
Sweetness – I always keep the belt loops at the top of my bags – I like the idea of using them for the strap…
This is Seriously and Extremely cool! Wow! I especially love the embroidered maple leaf but the whole thing is awesome.
hooray for making do with what you have! well done, indeed.
how do you do it and what do you need please reply quik
quick sorry lol
love the satchel!! such a thoughtful gift!!
When I was a little girl (from 10 months old until 6 years old) I used to live in Calgary with my family! I remember i was obsessed, too, with the maple leaf!!! I used even to sing the Canadian anthem each time it was on tv !!!
xxxx Alessandra
post some more crafts i love purses watchs books walets
lol omg o my gosh
What a perfect pouch. I never cease to be amazed at how you find sewing notions in the most unusual places. 🙂
What a perfect year end celebratory gift! I love it and I'm sure the boy will too. Gorgeous embroidery Michele!
A really smashing bag, bonus to use recycled jeans with abit of patriotism too……..love the strap lol
why, oh, why can't i be your next door neighbor??????
Beautiful work!!! yeah for maple leaves!
Wow! It's awesome! Such a clever use of the denim. And I love the embroidered maple leaf. I hope he enjoys it. Congrats for finishing the 2nd grade! And hope your cake turns out!
Love it! I never thought to use the waistband from jeans as a strap. I always cut up bits and sewed straps together. Great re-use!
Great job, Michele! My favorite part is the strap. I hope it becomes very well-used over the coming years.
Superbe !!!
Nadia
i love this!
i'm thinking that a waistband like that might make a great belt.
and i love how the back pocket is transformed into… the back pocket.
brilliant "inside the box" creativity : )
What agreat bag! Love it! My husband once bought me Canadian quilt fabric in Calgary. Maple leaves all over it. I sure want to make something for him out of that fabric, cause he so loves Canada.
I wish I had just an ounce of your cleverness- it would certainly save our household some cash, and me many trips to the store. Who knew there were alternatives to pretty much everything- including D-rings? The bag is wonderful!!
xoxo
What a genius way to re-use jeans! I love this. You did a great job making it!
Thanks for linking up to the Point of View linky party!
Jonie