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The Lesa Bag - a free tutorial




This bag I made on a request from one of my girl's swimming coaches - Lesa - hence the bag's name!
 She had an old favourite bag that was falling to bits, but she wanted to replace it with the same style bag and couldn't find one.
So I got the old bag and worked out my own pattern and made her one just the same - from an old pair of jeans:

Good tough fabric - and lined with a pretty maroon - also upcycled, from an old dressing gown!

When figuring out the pattern for this bag - I made a few trial versions - one went to my mum and one is the bag I use myself most day to day!  A great selection of pockets, the perfect size - and nice and sturdy in either denim or upholstery fabric!

The pattern does cut out nicely from an adult sized pair of jeans, so it's a great upcycling project! 
 (You may need to join two pieces of fabric together to make the larger back panel for the bag, or cut across both sides of one of the leg seams as I did here:)

Or, pick your own pretty fabric to make this great bag!


To download your own FREE PDF version of this pattern and tutorial,

 click here






If you like this bag - there are plenty more bag patterns available on my free tutorials pages.







50 comments:

  1. Sewing for UtangeMay 28, 2013 at 8:06 AM

    What a great bag! I have a friend who has requested something very similar, so as well as making this version I may have to adapt it! Thanks so much for posting the pattern.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillMay 30, 2013 at 12:49 PM

      Thank you! Hope you have fun sewing it and adapting! Do let me know how it turns out!

      Delete
  2. UnknownMay 28, 2013 at 9:27 AM

    That's a great bag,

    Well done and thanks for sharing it with us.

    Sarabeth
    Life of an Agnostic Sunday School Teacher

    ReplyDelete
  3. Pam @Threading My WayMay 28, 2013 at 11:11 AM

    Love the pockets on the outside, Jill...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillMay 30, 2013 at 12:51 PM

      Thanks Pam! I find they're very useful for emergency sweeties!

      Delete
  4. G.AruljothiKarikalanMay 28, 2013 at 2:21 PM

    nice bag... and thanks for sharing the tutorial....

    ReplyDelete
  5. free style creating by VillyMay 29, 2013 at 12:05 AM

    Nice bags!!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. UnknownMay 29, 2013 at 1:45 AM

    These are fabulous!

    I would love for you to link up at the Mommy Archive - we're focusing on all sorts of hand made bags this week, Alice x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillMay 30, 2013 at 12:53 PM

      Thanks for the invite. I've just been over and linked up!

      Delete
  7. AnonymousMay 29, 2013 at 4:07 AM

    Great bag! I really like those outside pockets! I'm pinning this bag to my Denim Delights board! I love a good denim upcycle project!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ Submarine Sunday Link Party

    ReplyDelete
  8. ChrisW DesignsMay 29, 2013 at 10:44 AM

    Oh great work! Please join in the fun at our new Bag Brag Tuesday Linking party! I would love for you to share your work there, such a Fab Tutorial!
    http://blog.chriswdesigns.com/2013/05/bag-brag-tuesday-linking-party-week-one.html
    Christine
    ChrisW Designs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillMay 30, 2013 at 12:57 PM

      Thank you - and thanks for the invite, I just popped over and linked up!

      Delete
  9. CindyMay 30, 2013 at 12:20 AM

    I'm not much of one for sewing, but I do love my project bags! I think I will give this one a try. Zippers scare me, so it will be a challenge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillMay 30, 2013 at 12:57 PM

      Thanks Cindy. Do give it a try. I used to be scared of zips too - but once I actually tried them I found they weren't so tricky after all!

      Delete
  10. Claire JustineMay 30, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    What a great bag, love this :)

    Thanks for sharing with us at Creative Mondays ...

    ReplyDelete
  11. Back In A StitchMay 30, 2013 at 6:04 AM

    Great bag!! Thanks for sharing! Visiting from Handmade Tuesdays

    I'd love for you to link these up to Much Ado About Monday: http://www.huckleberrylove.com/2013/05/much-ado-about-monday-no-11.html

    Karla
    www.huckleberrylove.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillMay 30, 2013 at 12:59 PM

      Thanks Karla - and for the invite. I just went and linked up!

      Delete
  12. Chelsea B.May 30, 2013 at 1:09 PM

    Great bag! I’d love for you to check out our Pattern Party! Those with free patterns and templates to share are invited to link up! Starts on the 1st of each month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillJune 4, 2013 at 11:02 AM

      Thanks for the invite to your pattern party. I've linked up and added your party button and link to my blog!

      Delete
  13. With A BlastMay 30, 2013 at 4:11 PM

    This is awesome, Jill! Love the pattern :-) I'd love it if you could link this at our weekly party !

    http://withablast.blogspot.com/2013/05/all-my-bloggy-friends-link-party-48.html

    Hope to see you there!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillJune 4, 2013 at 11:04 AM

      Thanks for the invite Linda! I'll come on over and link up - think I missed last week, will link this week!

      Delete
  14. Jamie @ Huckleberry LoveMay 31, 2013 at 12:32 PM

    This bag is cute and I love that you shared the pattern!
    Thanks so much for linking up to Much Ado About Monday. We can't wait to see what you have in store for us next week!!

    Have a great weekend,
    Jamie
    www.huckleberrylove.com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Page HirstMay 31, 2013 at 11:21 PM

    Love the bag and tutorial.
    http://pagehirst.blogspot.fr/

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pam @Threading My WayJune 1, 2013 at 8:03 PM

    Hi Jill, I've featured the Lesa bag today... Threading Your Way Features Thanks for adding all your jeans refashions.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Bonnie and Trish @ Uncommon DesignsJune 2, 2013 at 11:00 AM

    What a great bag and I love that it has front pockets! Thanks for sharing with us this week at Monday Funday!

    Take care,

    Trish

    ReplyDelete
  18. Be Colorful CoastalJune 2, 2013 at 12:10 PM

    Cute AND functional. All those pockets are awesome. Thanks for linking up.
    p

    ReplyDelete
  19. ChristineJune 4, 2013 at 1:25 AM

    The bag is AMAZING!!! How kind of you to offer a free pattern!

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer... From Dream To Reality last week! Looking forward to partying with you again tomorrow evening!

    ReplyDelete
  20. KatieJune 5, 2013 at 7:07 AM

    What a great bag! Thank you for sharing on Blog Stalking Thursday! I have featured your project on Blog Stalking Thursday Features YOU! The post is going live later tonight. I would love for you to stop by and grab a feature button. Thanks again for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Chelsea B.June 8, 2013 at 11:47 PM

    Great bag! Thanks for linking up to our Pattern Party!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillJune 10, 2013 at 8:55 AM

      Thanks Chelsea - and thank you for hosting such a great party!

      Delete
  22. ChrisW DesignsJune 23, 2013 at 8:56 AM

    Great bag! I've added it to our Bag Brag Tuesday linking party!
    Christine
    ChrisW Designs

    ReplyDelete
  23. ileeaJuly 19, 2015 at 4:52 AM

    I think this is a great looking little bag, I love to upcycle jeans into purses, other clothing etc. I also really appreciate that you have already turned your tutorial into a pdf for easy printing. I am one of those that need to have a hard copy pattern to "see" what I'm doing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillJuly 19, 2015 at 8:24 AM

      Thank you so much ileea! Hope you enjoy making your Lesa bag!

      Delete
  24. P HMay 10, 2017 at 2:11 AM

    Wow, I am really very impressed with your tutorial and can see myself making one like this now! I am on the hunt for the perfect bag and this is as close as I've seen! Thanks to your clear directions I can see myself making one like this in my near future. I think I will do one pocket on the front though, a bigger one, using a magnetic closure snap, and I will definitely post back to you with a link to my blog post on it. Now I have to figure out what fabric! Thanks again for the great tutorial and directions on making this cute bag!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillMay 13, 2017 at 9:47 PM

      Thanks so much for your lovely comment Pamela! Would love to see your version if you do make one!! Happy sewing!

      Delete
  25. UnknownSeptember 18, 2017 at 5:35 AM

    I am having a problem getting the pattern for this bag. Is there any way you can email me the pdf file for the pattern, I love this bag. thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. JillSeptember 19, 2017 at 5:38 PM

      Hi Wanda. If you send me your email I'm happy to email the PDF for this bag. My email is jillinamillion@y7mail.com .

      Delete
  26. haroldandmaudeNovember 8, 2017 at 8:46 PM

    Hi Jill, I love your pattern. I'll try it...sooner or later and THANKS for writing the measurements in cm!!! Cam you please tell me if the seams are included or if I have to add 3/8" (1 cm)?
    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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