Wednesday 29 August 2012

Deja Vu

It was about this time last year that I was busily deconstructing jeans bought from the charity shop and turning them into book bags for the girls. I was really pleased with the results, and so were the girls. Those bags got used, a lot!

But it seems that one of those bags is going into retirement as Helen deemed that a new school meant a new school bag would be needed. Funnily enough, me sewing during the summer holidays is okay if I am making something for one of them!

Yesterday we were out for a good portion of the day. Part of that time was spent in town. While there we raided the charity shop for another pair of jeans. This time we scored a pair of men's black jeans for £5.99. These work rather well with the school colours which are black and red. I sliced and diced those jeans, and, with a distinct sense of deja vu, they went from clothing to bag.


I did my best trying to photograph it to show it off, but the rain was tipping down and there was a distinct lack of places to get enough light as well as a half decent photo. On the bright side, Helen is pleased as punch with it and that's what it is all about.


I used some of the tricks I used last year in the construction. The waistband became the shoulder strap. I didn't use a pattern (just in case anyone was wondering) and made it up as I went along. This time there were pockets incorporated. A deep and wider one on the front, under the flap for snacks, etc. And on the inside I put a panel of the jeans with the back pocket still attached so that pocket can be used in the bad. I also used one of the tricks I picked up online in using a hair bobble as the button hole. Works a treat that!


Finally, to add a little colour to the front flap, I machine appliquéd a flower on.


Now, I still have two pencil cases to make, but we are about to go out for the rest of the day, so that will have to wait. I have one week from today to finish their 'commissions'. Then I can go back to doing stuff on my list of things to do. Woohoo!

Susan

39 comments:

  1. Looks great! And did you machine protest under those denim seams this time?

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  2. That looks fantastic Susan! She's a very lucky girl :)

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  3. awww Check out that smile! Helen is clearly very happy with her bag :-) So lovely to see! (She even looks way more grown up than last proper pic of her I remember!)

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  4. Red and black...my school colours! And another satisfied customer!

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  5. The bag looks great, no wonder she is happy. I know I would be!

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  6. that is a great bag! She looks indeed very happy with it!

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  7. Great job! And she look so very pleased with it!

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  8. Another fantastic bag made! No wonder she is pleased

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  9. Fantastic bag! and doesn't Helen look so,proud! good luck,with the remaining commissions! Hope,you've had a great day out too!

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  10. Nice bag, I like how all the features are included, pockets, waistband and all. Helen is looking beautiful.

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  11. Great recycling and one happy beautiful young woman! Get on with the pencil cases then!

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  12. Brilliant bag S! Hooray for oversized gentlement donating their trousers! Jxo

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  13. You are clearly a woman of many talents!!

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  14. Those are awesome and go you for upcycling! Looks like the absolute perfect size for your daughter!

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  15. That is just awesome!!!! And so well modelled!

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  16. that bag is so fab love i can see someone else loves it too .........fantastic susan they get better each year and last years were fab too !!

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  17. great bag! And she does look very happy with it!

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  18. That seems so magical......a pair of jeans and now a beautiful book bag! Wonderfully done!

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  19. This is a perfect bag for Helen. She looks very happy as the model, too.

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  20. you do good and i learned something from you . would never have though to use a hair thing on a bag that beats buying a snap

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  21. Great bag, you might end up going into business when Helen goes back to school.

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  22. Does that mean Em gets a new bag as well?! I love Helen's bag but 42" waist? Blimey!

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    1. Sorry, does my comment sound like I think Helen (or her bag!) has a 42" waist?!!

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  23. Well done you - turning those jeans from a VERY short/fat man into a super bag - the smile says it all x

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  24. Love the bag - so very stylish. I am sure that it is not the only one you will be making!

    Pomona x

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  25. Love the bag and it was modelled so stylishly!

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  26. that bag is fantastic!! she looks so very pleased with it and is quite the model!! Emma wouldn't let me make her a pencil case for school she wanted a Hello Kitty one :(( she is only 5 though! x

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  27. Cool beans (and yeah, what Hadley said, those dimensions on the jeans are ridiculous!)

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  28. Her wee chuffed smile says more than I need to. Great make, mum!

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  29. What a fab bag - love it (might have to borrow the hair bobble idea at some point) x

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  30. Love it Susan. It's perfect.

    How long is Helen's hair !

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  31. You did a great job. I'll be interested to see the pencil cases.

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  32. have you thought about doing a tutorial?? the bags are so cute ...

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  33. You and your school bags. Each year I'm totally impressed!

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  34. Fantastic. Your machine must be a workhorse to manage all that denim. . . . . love the girly touch of applique!

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  35. great bag and woo hoo for upcycling!

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