Messenger bag from cargo pants - another clothes upcycle

Continuing with my Clothes Upcycling Challenge for 2015 I made a messenger bag from a pair of cargo shorts and some other fabric from my stash (helping my stashbusing cause at the same time!)

I've wanted to try this tutorial from Noodlehead for a while so decided this was the perfect opportunity.

This is what I started with:

Since the pattern uses a pair of cargo pants not shorts, I had to alter it slightly so I had enough fabric. The strap I made entirely from the co-ordinating fabric rather than half and half, but I think it works ok. I also had to unpick a pocket and make the whole bag slightly smaller than the pattern to give me enough fabric.

The pattern itself was fairly easy to follow although perhaps a little less detailed than I'm used to. I tend to go for overkill and photo and describe even the smallest stage in my tutorials as that's how I work. Still - this is overall a straightforward bag to make and a great way to upcycle a pair of pants!

The strap was possibly a little bit long for my daughter. Generally my girls love to model things I've made for me, but not on this day! However, I did manage to cajole my youngest into a couple of shots!

Left over fabric from the shorts?  A few pockets, a zip, buttons, label and the waistband. I've added them to the bag from last week's upcycle to be used in some future project I haven't yet thought of!

I'm pretty happy with this week's upcycle.  Do come back next week to see what I make next!

For over 600 ideas for clothes upcycling, check out the ongoing linky here. Please do add your own ideas too!

If you are interested in upcycling, I also share lots of upcycling ideas, for clothes and lots of other things too, on my Facebook page.

Jill

Bag and elephant from shirt and shorts - starting my clothes upcycling challenge 2015

I've settled back in from our big holiday now and am back into sewing - in particular I've started my big clothes upcycling challenge for 2015.

I started out with this shirt and pair of shorts.

I had decided previously what I wanted to make - this Reversible bag, a free pattern and tutorial from Very Purple Person.

I wanted to use the pockets on the clothes in the bags.

So it meant being a little creative in my pattern placement and cutting.

The template is free and simple to print and stick together. The instructions are also clear and straightforward with pictures and drawings to help.  It's a nice simple bag, and I'm really pleased with how it turned out.

 Of course there was fabric left over, so I wanted to try and use it to make something else.

I've so many patterns and tutorials on my Pinterest boards, that I have decided to make use of these for this clothes upcycling challenge.

This time I chose an Elephant Softie, using this free pattern from Made by Enginerds.

Again the template is free and easy to print and use.

It's a very simple elephant to make, and the tutorial is nice and clear with good photos. I'm really pleased with this cutie - my girls have given him the definite seal of approval and want to make ones for themselves now!

The elephant and bag look cute together - maybe I can sell them as a set?

The last of the remnants of this shirt and pair of shorts I have deconstructed into parts I may be able to use - zips, buttons, labels and fabric scraps:

And the seams etc I'll keep to use for stuffing for something!

Overall, I'm very happy with the start of my Clothes Upcycling Challenge for 2015. 

 I hope you'll keep on coming back to see what I make each week from my selection of old clothes!

If you want to keep up to date with the goings on here at Creating my way to Success - and receive 3 free sewing tutorials exclusive to subscribers - then why not sign up for my monthly newsletter here.

Or check out my free tutorials right here on the blog - there are over 100 and more are being added all the time!