This small denim shoulder bag is perfect for everyday use. Our mobile phones, wallets, notebooks, and other small necessary items often do not fit in our pockets. That’s why I suggest making a small bag out of jeans. It will go well with any outfit, it is comfortable and your hands and pockets will remain free.
I made two different shoulder bags: the first one is light blue and the second one is dark blue. Both bags are made in the same way, I only chose different color combinations and slightly different metal buckles.
The bag has two main compartments and one smaller pocket in the front. To close the bag a strip with a buckle is sewn on the pocket in the front. The length of the shoulder strap can be adjusted using a metal or plastic regulator.
Materials
To make this cute shoulder bag you will need:
- Demin fabric 150 cm x 25 cm
- Lining fabric 140 cm x 20 cm
- Bias tapes 80 cm
- Edging tape 80 cm
- Sewing thread (80 no)
- Metal regulators for the shoulder strap
- Metal buckle
- Metal hole eye rings
Instructions
The instructions below provide the measurements for cutting out pattern pieces and the main steps for sewing the small denim shoulder bag.
Cutting out pattern pieces
Here you can find all pattern pieces and their dimensions. All dimensions are shown with sewing allowances. Use a 1.5 cm seam allowance for all seams if not indicated otherwise.
The photo below shows the numbered pieces of the pattern. The numbers correspond to the cut-out pieces in the following photos. In total, you will cut out eight different shapes. Part no. 3 is the base of the bag: you will cut out four pieces in this shape. For the lining cut-out shapes no. 1, no. 3 (four pieces), and no. 5.
- Bag closing flap
- Closing strip on the closing flap
- The base of the bag (cut out 4 pieces)
- Strip to widen the front pocket
- The front pocket
- The fastening strip on the front pocket
- A small strip that holds a metal regulator for adjusting the length of the shoulder strap
- Shoulder strap
Sewing the bag
When you have all the pattern pieces cut out and ready, follow the steps below to sew them together.
Step 1. Sew fastening strips (no 2, 6). Sew the long strip on the closing flap (no 1) and put the metal hole eye-rings. Sew the smaller strip with a metal buckle and sew on the front pocket (no 5).
Step 2. The pocket is joined with the lining and strip (no 4) and edged with a bias tape.
Step 3. Use a strip (no 4) to sew the pocket on the main detail (no 3).
Step 4. Connect the closing flap to the lining and edge with bias tape and sew on one of the main details (no 3).
Step 5. Connect two main parts to each other. Edging tape is placed between the main details. This results in two separate pieces.
Step 6. Sew the two pieces with the lining and connect each other with one seam at the top. Do not forget to sew one end of the shoulder strap to the edges between the base and the lining, and on the other side sew a small strip (no 7) with a metal regulator.
Step 7. Finally, sew up the lining bottom. Two shoulder bag pieces can be glued together in the middle with glue for textiles so that they fit together nicely.
Finished small denim shoulder bag
Denim will never go out of fashion. This light denim handbag is perfect for the summer season, while the dark one will match any jacket or coat. I hope that you will give it a try!
