https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/plaid-shorts-purse • Posted by Andraste
A friend handed me a bag of old clothes. Inside it, I found these awesome plaid bermuda shorts. Not really my style, but too cute not to use!! She also gave me a coordinating 3/4 sleeve tee, so I made that into the lining. I took me forever, since I don't own a sewing machine. But it was worth it!! And I have plenty of fabric left to make matching wallets!!
A friend handed me a bag of old clothes. Inside it, I found these awesome plaid bermuda shorts. Not really my style, but too cute not to use!! She also gave me a coordinating 3/4 sleeve tee, so I made that into the lining. I took me forever, since I don't own a sewing machine. But it was worth it!! And I have plenty of fabric left to make matching wallets!!
So this is what I used to make this bag. I started by cutting the legs and crotch off the shorts.
I cut up the seam a bit in the front and back, and sewed them together. Basically made a skirt.
Then I cut off the button, and put it aside for later. I also sewed up the front, from the bottom of the zipper to the top, and across the top of the zipper.
I turned it inside out, and cut out the piece of fabric that was behind the buttonhole.
Then I pinned and sewed the bottom of the bag closed.
I laid out my lining shirt, and luckily, it was just the right width!! I cut it above the top of the bag, for seam allowance.
I turned the lining inside out, and pinned and sewed the shirt seam closed.
I turned the lining right side out, and put the still-inside-out bag inside it. I folded down the raw edge to line up with the bottom of the waistband.
This particular pair of shorts had this little extra seam thingie sticking out, so i pinned my lining to it and secured it with a whipstitch.
I turned my bag right side out, poked out my corners, and stuck my fabric marker through the buttonhole. I marked where the button would go, then I attached it.
For the straps, I removed and unfolded one of the cuffs on the shorts. Then I cut it in half and ironed it flat. I then attached the two pieces together to form one long strip.
I also cut strips from the lining shirt to the same width and length. I connected them together.
I put both strips right sides together, and sewed along the longer edges. Then I turned the strap right side out and ironed it flat.
I realized that I'd need to make sure the strap wouldn't roll, so I sewed along the outside. When I got to the open ends, I tucked them in a bit and sewed them closed.
I connected the straps with a square and X stitch (does that have a name?).
And now I have a neat unique new bag!!