Recycling Old Clothes into Something Special: How to Create a Puzzle Piece Tote Bag

Recycling old clothes not only helps reduce waste but also gives those items a second life! Whether it’s an old pair of jeans, a worn-out shirt, or even a faded jacket, these clothes have untapped potential. Instead of throwing them away, why not transform them into something new and useful? In this post, we’ll walk you through an exciting project—turning an old pair of jeans into a unique and eye-catching tote bag with puzzle piece details. It’s a fun, creative way to recycle and create something practical at the same time!

Materials You Will Need:

  • 1-2 old jeans (depending on the size of your tote)
  • Fusible web
  • Foam board or foam sheet
  • Zipper
  • Plastic tubes
  • Measuring tape and ruler
  • Pins or fabric clips

Start by cutting puzzle-shaped pieces out of your old jeans. Use the provided pattern as a guide in Patreon Place the puzzle pieces onto fusible web and carefully iron them to fuse the pieces in place. This step ensures the pieces stay together before attaching them to the fabric.

Place all pieces on black fusible web and iron carefully to ensure they stick well.

Place the puzzle piece on the fabric and cut out the back of the bag.

Place the front and back pieces on the foam board and cut them out.

Cut a piece of fabric for the lining of the bag (same size as the outer bag).

Once your puzzle pieces are securely attached, sew along the edges of each piece to make them a permanent part of your bag. This will also add texture and make the design pop!

Sew along all edges of the puzzle pieces using the sewing machine

Place the back piece onto the front piece and sew along the left side

Place the back piece onto the front piece and sew along the left side

Cut off any excess foam to create a neat rectangle.

Inner pocket sewing: Cut two squares

Place the strip on both sides of the zipper at each end.

Turn it to the right side and sew along the edge.

Create the bag handles: Cut two strips. Fold them in half and secure with clips.

Place the loop inside the bag handles.

Fold the edges inward and sew them shut. Do this on all four ends of the bag handles.

Place the handles on the front and back sides, centered on the second puzzle piece.

Turn the bag to the left side. Secure the sides with clips and cut the corners. Then, sew the bottom of the bag closed.

Neaten the edge with a strip.

Close and sew the corners.

Finish the top the corners the same way you did for the sides.

Place the inner pocket in the midle of the back side of the bag.

Finish the top edge of the bag in the same way as the sides.

Learn More with the Full Video Tutorial:

If you’d like a more detailed guide, I’ve created a video tutorial where I walk you through every step of the process. You can follow along and create your own puzzle piece tote bag from start to finish. It’s fun, easy, and the results are absolutely worth it!

Check out the full video tutorial linked in the description, and get started on your very own recycled denim tote bag today!

By recycling old clothes into something new, you’re not only making a fantastic, unique product, but you’re also helping the environment. So go ahead and give your old jeans a new life—create a functional piece that’s both stylish and sustainable!

How to Use Your New Puzzle Piece Tote Bag:

This unique, recycled tote bag is perfect for a variety of uses:

Small Shopping Bag: The sturdy design and zipper closure make it an excellent choice for carrying groceries or other small items.

Picnic Bag: Take it on your next picnic and use it to carry snacks, drinks, and essentials.

Lunch Bag: The secure zipper makes it ideal for carrying lunch to work or school.

Everyday Tote: It’s stylish enough to use for daily errands or as a casual accessory.

You can get the pattern for this adorable bag with Patreon Membership
As a Patreon member, you get so much more value! For a small monthly contribution, you’ll have unlimited access to all my patterns – including everything from the Etsy shop and every pattern used in my YouTube video projects. It’s the best way to support my work and enjoy a growing library of creative sewing tutorials.

Choose what fits you best – but if you’re planning to sew more than one project, Patreon is definitely worth it! 😊