Cutting and Sewing the Bag

• 1). Cut the legs from the jeans two inches below the crotch.
  
  
• 2). Turn the jeans inside out.
  
  
• 3). Lay the jeans flat and sew straight across each leg at a point just below the crotch seam.
  
  
• 4). Trim the excess fabric from each leg, leaving a 1/2-inch seam allowance.
  
  
• 5). Press the seams open.
  
  
• 6). Sew double-fold bias tape onto each raw seam edge.
  
  

Making Handles

• 1). Cut two strips of fabric from one of the cut-off legs, each strip measuring 10 inches long and two inches wide.
  
  
• 2). Press under 1/2 inch along the short edges of each strip.
  
  
• 3). Fold each strip in half lengthwise, with the cut edges together, and sew along the edge using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Be sure the pressed-under short edges are on the outside.
  
  
• 4). Turn the strips right side out and press them flat.
  
  
• 5). Lay the bag flat with the zipper to the inside. Pin the short end of one handle to the waistband about two inches to the left of the zipper. Pin the other short end of the handle to the waistband about two inches to the right of the zipper.
  
  
• 6). Using a zig-zag stitch, sew across each short edge of the handle. Tack at the beginning and end of each seam for reinforcement.
  
  
• 7). Turn the bag over and pin the second handle to the waistband, using the front handle as a placement guide.
  
  
• 8). Sew across each short edge of the second handle in the same manner as the first.