one-pocket yo-yo bag

MATERIALS NEEDED

One pair of worn child’s denim jeans (the sample used child’s Levi’s, size 10*)

Three assorted buttons

11 to 12 1 1/2" diameter yo-yos made with Clover Small Yo-Yo Maker

Denim needle for machine, seam ripper, thread for use with denim

* Children’s denim jeans work better for this project, because the legs are not as wide and the pockets are smaller.

DISASSEMBLY OF JEANS

1. First, cut the right leg off the jeans approximately 10 3/4" up from the bottom finished hem of leg. With your seam ripper, rip open the outer seam of this pant leg portion (the seam that is not double stitched). You will have to rip a portion of the bottom hem on either side of this seam in order to rip the bottom portion of the seam. Set aside.

2. Using your seam ripper, remove one of the back pockets. Refer to Step 9 under the Assembly Instructions. Set aside.

3. For the purse handle, detach the belt loops first, and then remove the waist band from the jeans. Set aside.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

1. Unfold and lay the denim leg portion out on a flat surface, with the right side facing up. Center and place the previously removed back pocket onto the right side section of the leg, approximately 3 1/2" down from the top raw edge and pin in place. Topstitch, leaving the top of the pocket open. Backstitch at the top of the pocket for extra reinforcement.

2. With RST, stitch the original side seam closed, following the existing side seam line. You will then have to stitch the bottom hem back in place. Set aside.

3. On the waistband piece stitch the long open edge closed, following the existing stitching line. Set aside.

4. To finish the top edge of the purse, fold the top raw edge of the pant leg to the inside (the wrong side) approximately 3/4", press and pin in place. Do not stitch at this time.

5. Place the button end of the waistband piece on to the front left corner, approximately 1" down from top edge. Pin in place.

6. Place the buttonhole end of the waistband piece on to the back right corner, approximately 1" down from top edge. Pin in place. Make sure not to twist the handle.

7. Topstitch around top of purse 1/8" down from the top edge, catching handle ends in stitching. Then topstitch again about 1/4" down from first stitching.

8. Take 8 or 9 fabric yo-yos, align horizontally and place inside opening at bottom hem of purse, leaving yo-yos half exposed and pin. Stitch bottom closed, catching yo-yos in stitching.

9. Arrange three yo-yos and three assorted buttons onto top right corner of front pocket. Refer to photograph on previous page for placement. Stitch in place. You could do this step before you attach the pocket to the purse.

This project is freatured in Indygo Junction’s new book, Denim Redesign, which includes 20 projects to reconstruct & embellish jeans, overalls and jackets.

Reprinted from SQE Professional, September 2007