Denim Bag Project

Ok, so here's my latest project that I've been working on. I started it a couple of years ago (typical) and have had a sudden renewed interest in it. I took a pair of Makenna's jeans and cut them off, sewed up the bottom, tucked in a little corner for detail and shaping, and voila`, ready to embroider! I did the little flowers on the right and the pocket edging right after I did the sewing. I've added the funky trees, swirls and back pocket details this summer. The trees were inspired by an embroidery kit that I saw for sale, so I boggarted the design and hand drew them on the bag with a Sharpie.

The back pocket work was inspired by this bumper sticker I bought in Newark, Delaware on my summer trip up north. We always check out the downtown scene (ha!) when we visit, a sort of revisiting the old stomping grounds kind of thing, and now my girls love it there for the record stores, the little shops and the piece de resistance ~ a killer Goodwill pumped up with good stuff from the college scene and all that that entails.

Ok, so...the bumper sticker came from Crystal Concepts, a little metaphysical shop, all lavender and sparkly, complete with a lavender painted bathtub out front enjoying a second life as a flower planter. Lovely. The pic isn't too great, but it says Grow Slow and is decorated with a planty/garden style lettering.

I'm planning on using the vintage ribbon (yes, real honest to goodness vintage bought at an antique show from a booth loaded with vintage ric rac, and buttons, and linens, oh JOY!) shown with the bag as part of the handle. I'll probably make a handle out of the leftover denim, and then do the ribbon as an inlay or something. I'll keep you posted!!

I still have a bit more work to do on the bag, a little crescent moon over the trees by the change pocket to embroider, and I'm thinking what I'd like to do on the other back pocket. I have a feeling this bag will turn out to be like an old pair of jeans that never seems "done" with patches, and possibilities. Sounds good to me!

Thanks for checking it out and I'll update when there are any changes.