Alright, let's talk about turning those old jeans into something super useful and cute, a circular denim coin purse! Got a pair of jeans that have seen better days but you just can't bring yourself to toss them?
Well, good news! We can give them a fun new purpose. This project is perfect for anyone who loves a bit of DIY and wants to be a little kinder to the planet by upcycling. Plus, who doesn't need a handy little coin purse? Let's get started!
From Old Jeans to Awesome Coin Purse
Think about that old pair of jeans in your closet. Maybe they're ripped, faded, or just don't fit anymore. Instead of letting them sit there, we're going to snip, sew, and transform them into a cool, round coin purse.
It's a fantastic way to use up fabric scraps and make something totally unique. You'll be surprised how easy and satisfying it is to turn something old into something new and practical.
What You'll Need to Get Started
Before we start cutting and stitching, let's gather everything we need. Don't worry, you probably have most of these things lying around already!
- An old pair of jeans (or even a denim jacket!): Any denim will work, and different washes or thicknesses can give your coin purse a cool look .
- A zipper (about 6 to 8 inches long): This will keep your coins safe and sound inside.
- Thread: Pick a color that matches your denim or go bold with a contrasting color – it's up to you
- Sharp fabric scissors: Denim can be tough, so make sure your scissors are nice and sharp.
- A sewing machine (optional, but recommended): While you can totally hand-sew this, a sewing machine will make things faster and the seams stronger. If you're using a machine, grab a denim needle – it's stronger and will go through the thick denim much easier
1 . A size 90/14 or 100/16 should do the trick. - Pins or clips: These will help hold your fabric together while you sew.
- A ruler or measuring tape: Just to make sure our circle is the right size.
- A fabric marker or chalk: To draw our pattern on the denim.
- Paper or cardboard: We'll use this to make our circular pattern.
- An iron and ironing board: Pressing your seams makes everything look much neater.
- Optional: Appliqués, buttons, or other decorations: If you want to get fancy and personalize your coin purse .
- Optional: A small piece of cord or fabric: To make a little loop or keychain attachment.
Making Your Round Pattern: The Circle's the Star
Alright, first things first, we need a pattern to cut out our denim circles. Think about how big you want your coin purse to be. Once you've got a size in mind, it's time to make a circle on your paper or cardboard .
You can use a compass if you have one – just set it to the radius (half the diameter) you want and draw away . If you don't have a compass, no worries! You can trace around a round object like a plate, a bowl, or even a jar lid . Just make sure it's the size you're aiming for.
Once you've drawn your circle, cut it out. This is your pattern! Now, remember to add a little extra around the edge for sewing – about a quarter of an inch should be good. This extra bit is called the seam allowance, and it's what we'll use to stitch the purse together .
Cutting Out the Denim Circles: Let's Get Snipping
Now that you have your circular pattern, it's time to cut into your old jeans! Lay your denim flat on a table. Place your paper or cardboard circle on top of the denim and either pin it in place or trace around it with your fabric marker or chalk .
Carefully cut out two denim circles using your sharp fabric scissors . Try to follow your traced line as closely as possible for nice, even circles. Since denim can be a bit thick, take your time and make sure your cuts are clean
👉Read this for essential bagmaking tools.
Putting in the Zipper: Making an Opening
Next up, we need to create the opening for our coin purse using the zipper. Take one of your denim circles and decide where you want the zipper to go. A good spot is right across the middle of the circle.
Place one side of your zipper face down along the edge of the denim circle, with the right side of the denim facing up. Pin or clip the zipper to the denim to hold it in place
Do the same thing with the other side of the zipper and the edge of the other denim circle, again making sure the right sides of the denim and zipper are facing each other. It might seem a little tricky at first, but just take it slow and steady. For a neater finish, you can even add little fabric tabs to the ends of your zipper – just fold small pieces of fabric in half and sew them to the zipper ends.
Sewing the Circle Together: Almost There!
With the zipper attached to both denim circles, it's time to sew the circles together and actually make our coin purse! Make sure your zipper is open a little bit – you'll need this opening to turn the purse right side out later.
Line up the edges of the two denim circles, with the right sides of the denim facing each other. Use pins or clips to hold the edges together all the way around the circle. Now, carefully sew around the edge with your sewing machine, using that same quarter-inch seam allowance. Make sure to leave the part where the zipper is attached open. Sewing around a curve can be a little tricky, so just go slowly and gently turn the fabric as you sew.
Adding a Lining (If You Want!): A Nice Touch
Want to make the inside of your coin purse look extra nice? You can add a lining! Just cut out two more circles from a lightweight fabric like cotton, using the same pattern you used for the denim.
Sew these two lining circles together, right sides facing, but leave a small opening in the seam. This opening is important – it's how we'll turn the whole thing right side out. Now, put your denim coin purse (wrong side out) inside the lining (right side out).
Line up the top edges around the zipper and sew them together. Then, reach through that little opening you left in the lining and turn the whole coin purse right side out. Once it's all turned, you can stitch that small opening in the lining closed. Now you have a lovely lining inside your denim coin purse!
Adding Some Flair: Make It Yours!
This is where you can really let your creativity shine! You can leave your denim coin purse as is for a simple, classic look, or you can add some fun decorations.
Think about sewing on some cool appliqués, adding buttons, or even doing a bit of embroidery. You could even use scraps of other fabrics to create a patchwork design on your coin purse. If you made a little loop earlier, you can attach it to the zipper pull or the side of the purse so you can clip it to your keys or bag.
Tips for Sewing with Denim: A Few Handy Hints
Working with denim can be a little different than other fabrics, so here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- Use the right needle: We already mentioned this, but it's worth repeating! A denim needle will make your life much easier.
- Longer stitch length: A slightly longer stitch (around 2.8 to 3 on your machine) often works better on denim.
- Go slow: Denim can be thick, so don't rush. Let your sewing machine do the work.
- Press your seams: Ironing your seams flat will make your finished coin purse look much more professional.
- Reinforce seams: For extra durability, especially around the zipper, you can stitch over your seams a second time.
Wrapping It Up: Enjoy Your New Coin Purse!
And there you have it! You've successfully transformed an old pair of jeans into a stylish and functional circular coin purse. Now you have a unique little bag to keep your loose change, headphones, or other small treasures safe. Feel proud of yourself for upcycling and creating something awesome!
Here are a couple of resources you might find helpful for your next sewing adventure:
- How to Sew a Zipper for Beginners:(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_062LE9CSac)
- Different Ways to Cut Fabric Circles:
https://sewcutepatterns.com/blog/cutting-circles-on-fabric-a-comprehensive-guide
