Recycled jean bags are a great way to reuse old denim - a fabric made usually of cotton with a twill weave. Because of this type of weaving, denim is a fabric that is durable;e and can be used for multiple purposes. The fabric is so good that stores like Replay and Claire (UK) are selling these recycled bags themselves.

Shoulder bags are great for avoiding plastic when shopping. They are also great for carrying books, beach gear or anything else that you may need on a long day out. Making your shoulder bag from denim results in a bag that is strong - and you don't have to throw away your favorite pair of jeans that you have had for so long and love.

You can also make one!

An advantage of making jean bags is that anyone can do it no matter their stitching skills. Jean fabric is rugged and does not need to be neat and perfect. The seam of the original jeans is also an added decorative feature without having to do anything. Ready-made top edge is available when you use the hem or the waistband as the upper edge. You do not have to worry about interfacing (adding ridges) as denim fabric is thick enough and can be reversible if you opt for the lighter, internal color.

The pockets of the jeans are also great and remove additional work. Pockets on the outside are useful for easy access - just make sure to keep belongings that are not valuable in there. You can also look for a pair of old jeans that have buttons or zips on the pockets to keep them more secure. Another option is to have the denim material inside out so that the pockets are internal - like compartments found in a handbag.

How to Make Recycled Jean Bag

For your work, you will need:

• Your old jeans
• Sewing machine
• Pair of scissors
• A thread that matches the color of your jeans

Step 1. Cut your jeans

Take your jeans and iron them so that you can get the fabric as straight as you can. Next, take the scissors and cut your jeans so they will become like shorts. You can cut your jeans in your own style depending on if you want a straight or curved edged bag. Next, cut the jeans again down the front (where the button and the zipper are) so that you have two sides leftover. Both sides have one back pocket and one front pocket.

Step 2: Sew together

Take both parts of the jeans and lay them on the table with the inside facing you. From the top of the waistband (the thicker part) start to sew both parts together so that the sides and the bottom are attached and form a bag. The top part is left open. The edges should be stitched with a zigzag in order to secure everything. Before you move on to the base, you should sew two sides.

Step 3. The strap

Cut down the leg of the jeans so that the seam is separated from the rest of the fabric. This seam will be used as the strap of your new handbag. If you want, you can always use other materials like a rope of chains to use as a strap. Just make sure they are strong enough and easy to sew onto your project.

Step 4. The Flap

This step is not entirely necessary and depends on your preference. If you are satisfied with the bag as it is at the moment, you can just sew in a zip or the strap that we just made with the seam of the leg. If you prefer a flap, take the other leg that you have cut off from the jeans and rip it apart. Decide how big you want the flap to be, stitch it as one piece and then stitch that piece an inch away from the top of the bag (on the backside). This way, the flap can come from the back and fold over the front.

You can add a button to close it properly, or zip in the original bag so that the flap folds over it.

Step 5. Decoration

This is where you can really personalize your new bag by adding extra material, labels, stickers, button - however creative you want it to be. Adding a personal touch differentiated your bag from others making it unlike anyone else’s while showcasing your style and personality at the same time.

How will you add a personal touch to your new Jean Bag?