Upcycling

I want to make a tote bag out of denim and figured the quickest and cheapest source was my husband's closet.

This pair isn't fit for any donation box, so it is perfect.

The back side is in better shape, so I have enough material for my purpose.

Since I wanted to be able to cut from flat fabric, I grabbed a stitch ripper and a cup of coffee and set to work.

Look at all that fabric!

Along the way, I noticed the strangest thing. Since my original sewing lessons was in garment making,  I was taught that one uses a bartack to reinforce a seam that will be subject to a lot of stress. So I was surprised to discover that these jeans had a bartack that was doing absolutely nothing.

This bartack is reinforcing the seam allowance as far as I can tell. I have the seam completely open and the bartack is still in place. It is at the bottom of the front pocket opening, but it doesn't touch the pocket seam at all. It is almost as if someone looked at a pair of jeans and duplicated the look without any idea of the function.

The back pockets have a similar bartack.

This one reinforces the hem on the back pocket, though at least it is on the actual pocket. However, there will never be any stress on it, there. Placing it along the pocket seam would have been a better idea.

I am starting to suspect that the reasons for using some techniques are no longer being taught.

This afternoon, I hope to start sewing. Here is the lining, found hiding in my stash.

Baxter was very helpful in this operation. He kept any backyard rodents away from the patio door for me.