Homemade Gift Ideas - Denim Purse For Girls

The temperatures have cooled down enough in our part of the country that I tend to stay indoors in the evenings. My mind is beginning to wander ahead to Christmas. I am looking for projects to do that are both frugal as well as nice. I enjoy making homemade gifts. This is a wonderful gift for a girl under the age of 6. It may be great for older girls too but I am thinking of my granddaughter.

It is called a denim pocket purse. It is so cute and so easy to make. Our local thrift store is running a bag sale right now. I can get a large garbage bag of items for $3.00. I choose what I want to put in the bag. I am thinking about getting just jeans for my winter crafts. I enjoy working with denim. It just seems to last forever. I love making quilts and such from them.

This bag is made with a pocket from jeans.

 Here are the directions

1. Cut back pocket from jeans at least 1 inch from edge of the pocket

2. You can add gems or patches or whatever to the pocket at this point

3 Cut a piece of denim about 2 ½ inches wide by 36 inches long from the legs of the jeans. This will be used as the strap or handle of the purse.

4. Cut 2 additional pieces from the jeans or some other fabric for the lining. Cotton works   well for this.

5. Now with the right sides together, sew front to back ½ inch from the edge of the pocket

6. Fold in the edges of strap or handle toward the center. Place ribbon on top to cover raw edges and sew in place along edges. Stitch this to the sides of the purse.

7. With right sides together, sew the sides and the bottom of lining, leaving an opening about 3 inches for turning. Turn purse inside out, place lining in purse with right sides together. Sew along top edge. Turn purse right side out, sew the lining closed and tuck linking into the purse. Then simply stitch the top edge.

You are finished. Great Gift for a younger girl.