Upcycled Flowers on Denim Peg Bag Tutorial

UPDATE!!

This tutorial is now available as a video tutorial on my YouTube Channel

Click here to see the video!

I've needed a new peg bag for a while now. Mine is getting a little bit worn...

It has lasted 3 years of constant use and being left out in the harsh Queensland sun means it has faded somewhat. Here's what it looked like when I first made it (that tutorial is here):

Anyway, I decided I wanted a change this time and I'd seen some pictures on Pinterest that inspired me to try something different.

So after a bit of puzzling, drawing and altering patterns and a couple of practice attempts..

I was finally happy with my new peg bag!

Once I'd figured it out and perfected the template, it was quite simple to make. Here's how you can make one of your own!

You will need

The templates - download the free PDFs here. You will need to print them then match up the main pieces where they are marked A and B, then fold your fabric to cut where marked as the templates are rather large!

Inner and outer fabrics - approximately a fat quarter of each (46 x 56 cm / 18 x 22") - cut two of each fabric from each template.

Small scrap of fabric, cord or I used a jeans seam strip for the hanger.

Metal ring or clip for hanging - I used a clip salvaged from an old keychain.

For the outer denim of my peg bag, I just cut strips of denim scraps from other jeans projects. They were varied in sizes and I just arranged then stitched them together so the resulting piece was large enough to cut out my two templates.

Embellishments

At this point you need to add any extra embellishments you want to the outer fabric of your peg bag.  I have a stash of small 

fabric yoyos that I wanted to add.

I stitched them on with buttons in the centre and used green embroidery thread and a simple chain stitch to stitch stems and leaves.

To assemble your peg bag

First take your hanging loop and hanging clip or ring and place them like this on the tip of your large outer fabric piece, right side facing up. 

Then place your two large pieces right sides together and pin, then stitch them around all edges except the curved base.

Turn right sides out, making sure to poke out the corners.

Now top stitch around all the edges you just stitched around - only the curved bottom edge should be open.

Now fold this whole piece in half with the outer fabric on the inside, and pin along the two straight edges.

Stitch along those edges. With the top edge, if your hanging loop is thick as mine is, you can just stitch up to that point and leave the rest open.

Now to attach the base. Take your outer fabric circle and the bottom edge of the outer fabric main piece you've just been working with.

With right sides together, pin the circle all the way around the base edge of your bag.

 Then stitch all the way around.

Now take your inner fabric circle and the inner fabric part of the main bag. 

Again with right sides together, pin the circle to the bottom edge of the bag inner. This time leave a gap of about 10 cm (4") so you can turn the bag right sides out when you're done.

Once you've stitched your inner base circle on, turn right sides out through the gap you just left.

Finishing off

Finally you need to reach inside your bag and pull out the inner base and find the open gap in your stitching.

Pin then stitch this gap closed. You can hand-stitch for a neater finish, but I just used the machine as this seam will be hidden at the bottom of the peg bag.

Push the lining back inside the bag, and you've now finished your new peg bag! Fill with pegs and hang out some washing.

I was very happy to transfer my pegs out of my old peg bag, which is definitely at the end of it's life!

When I was figuring this peg bag tutorial out, I did try making one with a layer of buckram in it (very stiff interfacing).

Although this helped the bag to hold its shape really well, I didn't like how bulky all the seams were so decided to leave this out in the final version. I like the softer feel of my bag, but you could just as easily add a layer of interfacing if you prefer a more structured look or bag.

Overall I'm really pleased with my new

 Flowers on Denim Peg Bag

It's nice to have a change don't you think?

For the free downloadable PDF version of this tutorial with the templates included, click here.

If you liked this tutorial, then do take a look at my other free sewing tutorials. There are over 100 to choose from to make all kinds of different things and for all levels of sewing ability.