DIY Jean Tote Bag: How to Turn Old Jeans into a Sturdy Shopping Bag

If you have a few pairs of old jeans lying around, a DIY denim tote bag is a great way to upcycle them into something functional and stylish. These bags are tough enough for groceries, farmers market hauls, or everyday errands—and the built-in pockets from your jeans make them extra practical for stashing your keys, phone, or wallet.

What You’ll Need

• One or two pairs of old jeans
• Fabric scissors
• Sewing machine or needle and strong thread
• Pins or clips
• Optional: Lining fabric for a finished interior

Instructions

1. Cut Your Denim

• Cut two rectangles from the jean legs or thighs, about 16″x18″ for a standard tote size.
• Use additional pieces for the bag’s straps (about 22″ long each).

2. Create the Bag Body

• Place the two large rectangles right sides together and pin them.
• Sew along both sides and the bottom, leaving the top open.
• Trim the corners for a cleaner shape if you want.

3. Make the Straps

• Fold each strap piece lengthwise, right sides together, and sew along the long edge.
• Turn them right side out, press flat, and topstitch if desired for strength.

4. Attach the Straps

• Pin the straps to the inside of the top edge of the bag, about 3 inches from each side seam.
• Sew the straps securely in place with a box stitch or a double seam.

5. Optional: Add a Lining

• If you want a more polished finish, create a simple fabric lining and sew it into the inside before attaching the straps.

To add lettering to the DIY jean tote bag:

1. Iron-On Letters: Buy iron-on letter patches or make your own with printable transfer paper. Arrange them on the tote where you want the design, then iron according to package instructions to permanently bond them to the denim.
2. Fabric Paint and Stencils: Use fabric paint with alphabet stencils. Tape the stencil in place, dab the paint with a sponge brush, lift carefully, and let dry fully. You can freehand with a small brush if you want a handwritten style.
3. Embroidery: Hand-stitch or machine-embroider letters directly onto the tote. Mark your lettering lightly with chalk first as a guide, then use embroidery floss and a simple backstitch or satin stitch to fill in the letters.
4. Sew-On Patches: Buy or create custom fabric letter patches. Position them where you want, then sew them on with a tight zig-zag or straight stitch around the edges.
5. Appliqué: Cut letters out of contrasting fabric, use fusible web to iron them onto the bag, and sew around the edges to secure.

Here are a few cute lettering styles you could add to the DIY jean tote bag:

• Vintage Typewriter Font: Use stencils or embroidery to add simple, clean letters like “MARKET,” “BOOKS,” or “GROCERIES” for a charming, old-school feel.
• Script Handwriting: Paint or embroider a soft, flowing script with words like “Bloom,” “Wander,” or “Sunshine” for a casual, artistic vibe.
• Bold Varsity Letters: Iron on big, blocky letters for a sporty look—perfect for something like “WEEKEND” or even your initials.
• Boho Block Letters: Use slightly uneven, artsy block letters painted freehand with fabric paint for a boho, handmade look. Words like “LOVE” or “FREE SPIRIT” fit this style.
• Minimalist All Caps: Keep it simple with small, clean all-caps text stitched or painted near a bottom corner, like “MADE WITH LOVE” or “TOTE LIFE.”

If you loved creating your own denim tote bag, there’s even more inspiration waiting for you. From home decor to handmade gifts, old jeans can be transformed into dozens of beautiful, useful projects. Explore all 30 creative ways to repurpose old jeans here! Get ready to turn those worn-out favorites into something amazing!