Upcycling jeans to make a backpack Part 2

  (for part 1 click here)

The Finished backpack

Continuing on from part 1

  (1) This is the back piece of the backpack which will have a secret pocket.   I decided it was a bit boring so I drew a heart with chalk,  outlined it with thread and  (2) machine stitched the pocket in place

(1)

(2)

(3) Denim rivets were added to the top pocket corners  (4) for added strength

(3)

(4)

(5) Fabric tabs were then attached to (6) square rings

*I really like using square rings for adjustable backpack straps, they look neater neater than O rings or D rings.

(5)

(6)

(7) The main pieces of the bag were then stitched together, the front, back, base, zipped top and the tabs for the straps.

(7)

(8) Next strips of fabric were made from various colored strips of upcycled denim which were (9) then made into straps

(8)

(9)

(10) Metal sliders were (11) stitched and riveted to the ends

to make the straps adjustable

(10)

(11)

( 12) Then the straps were stitched onto the bag

and riveted for extra strength

(12)

(12)

The finished backpack.

Εργαστήρια Δημιουργικής Επανάχρησης – Μήλου. Upcycling Workshops – Milos. Upcycling jeans to make a backpack Part 2   (for part 1 click here) The Finished backpack…

 Upcycling jeans to make a backpack   Part 1

Πως φτιάχνω μία τσάντα πλάτης επαναχρησιμοποιώντας ένα παλιό παντελόνι τζιν    Μέρος 1

The textile industry is one of the world’s top 5 polluters and unfortunately the denim jeans that we all love to wear are one of the worst polluters.  According to Christina Dean,  the Founder and CEO of Redress, a Hong Kong-based NGO working to reduce waste in the fashion industry – “Just one pair of regular jeans requires 3,625 liters of water which is the same amount of water one person requires for basic survival for around 2.5 years”

For further information that you will not regret reading:

A Conversation with Christina Dean    and       Redress     her environmental NGO is which working to reduce waste in the fashion industry.

So, upcycling our clothes and especially our jeans is one of the easiest and most approachable ways to help the environment, everyone can do it!

Here is part 1 of a little tutorial showing how it’s possible to upcycle denim jeans into a backpack. 

As the aim is to make a bag that reaches professional standards and lasts a long time,  most of the sewing was done with professional, industrial machines. During the Upcycling Workshops on Milos people will have the opportunity to learn about professional level design and construction methods as well as learning about professional techniques and industrial machines.

 Suggested equipment

          a seam ripper , 

                   thread snips   (or scissors)

                  fabric marking pencils

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1

2

1.  We aren’t going to undo the lovely “flat fell seam” that is found on the inside leg…not only because it looks nice but also because it’s much more difficult to rip up as it’s actually a double-seam

– see here to understand how a flat fell seam is made. 

2.  We’re going to start ripping the outside seam with the seam ripper.

3. Starting at the hem, then slowly cutting the threads  4. &  5.  until the seam is completely opened.

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3

4

5

6.  Next we’ll mark our design onto the denim fabric and lining fabric 7. with a fabric marking pencil.

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6. Denim fabric

7. Lining fabric

8.  Now we cut the holes for the zips   9.  and make the zip pockets 

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8.

9.

10. & 11.  Next we attach the zips and zip pockets to the main body of the bag.

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10.

11.

Almost there….we just have to attach the red zip and zip pocket and then…

“I’m Ready for My Close-Up, Mr. DeMille”

  Upcycled denim jeans backpack with a BIG mouth….oh dear! This may be a very nasty backpack  😍  for a very nasty woman! 😍 

Part 2 soon

    Εργαστήρια Δημιουργικής Επανάχρησης – Μήλου Upcycling Workshops – Milos  Upcycling jeans to make a backpack   Part 1 Πως φτιάχνω μία τσάντα πλάτης επαναχρησιμοποιώντας ένα παλιό παντελόνι τζιν    Μέρος 1…

Το Καλιτεχνικο Εργαστήρι Milos Crafts Ανοίγει Τις Πόρτες Του Για Το Πρώτο Σεμινάριο Τέχνης.

Το Καλιτεχνικο Εργαστήρι Milos Crafts Ανοίγει Τις Πόρτες Του Για Το Πρώτο Σεμινάριο Τέχνης.

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Sharing some behind the scenes of one of our current sustainable design series called “Once Upon a Time” which will soon be available at an outlet on Milos.

Using eco-friendly cork as an alternative to animal leather, these cruelty-free, vegan bags are lined with non-bleached cotton which is hand screen-printed with water based Eco-inks, all completely designed and handcrafted here on Milos in our little design studio. 

Each clutch bag is unique, telling its own story, and can be personalized, with initials or name, embossed onto a cloud and sewn onto the front of the bag.

Perfect for summer!

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Once Upon a Time…..Sustainable Cork Tales Sharing some behind the scenes of one of our current sustainable design

Eco-dyeing eggs for Greek Easter with onion skins, turmeric and red cabbage. 

The eggs were pre-boiled and allowed to cool before being decorated with gathered flowers and then wrapped in old pantyhose.  The onion skins, turmeric and red cabbage were boiled separately with 2 tbsps  white vinegar and then cooled before adding the eggs.

While I was out gathering the flowers,  I met this beautiful butterfly.  It flew around me three times as I think I disturbed it’s lunch….it was quite big and a strong flyer.    Strangely it’s called the Scarce Swallowtail (Iphiclides podalirius) even thought it’s not actually scarce.  I felt very honored!

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Happy Greek Easter- Καλή Ανάσταση & Καλό Πάσχα. Eco-dyeing eggs for Greek Easter with onion skins, turmeric and red cabbage. 

Enjoyed a warm Spring afternoon hand cutting beautiful 5oz drum-dyed red leather...sourced in Greece. Lip clutch anyone? Coffee was on hand also!!! #madeonmilos #milos #milosisland #greekdesign #greekproduct #greekleather #leatherart #leather #leatherlove #leatherbag #leatherclutch #leathergoods #leatheraccessories #leathercraft #red #springsummer16 #lip #lips #lipbag #lipclutch #red #designermakers #designermaker #handmadeleather #handmade #handcraftedleather #handcrafted #handcut #handcutting (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)

No such thing as too many rivets! #madeonmilos #milos #milosisland #minibag #leather #leatherart #leatherlove #leatherwork #leatheraccessories #leathercraft #leathercraft #leatherbag #rivet #rivets #silverleather #silver (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)

This Milos Mini-Bag design is inspired by two things:

The lines “The kisses of your lips are honey, my love” from the Song of Solomon 4:11,

and this Elsa Schiaparelli evening coat at the Victoria and Albert Museum

Elsa Schiaparelli  had a wonderful, quirky way of seeing the world.  Her designs were often considered shocking, playing with contradictions and opposites, her first perfume was actually called Shocking.  

An innovative designer, way ahead of her time…she’s credited with designing the first culottes and wrap-dress, and the first clothes with visible zippers. The New Yorker’s Paris correspondent at the time said, “A dress from Schiaparelli ranks like a modern canvas” ,  having effectively turned her fashion creations into art.   Have a look at this bug necklace , it’s quite amazing when you consider it was made, and worn, in 1938 as part of her Pagan Collection inspired by Botticelli’s lush paintings.    

Schiaparelli collaborated with many artists of the day, such as Salvador Dali, believing that fashion and art share the same goals – to enrich and deepen an understanding of the world that surrounds us.   In fact Coco Chanel, Schiaparelli’s greatest rival, referred to her as “The Italian artist who makes clothes.” 

Here is an excerpt from a  Vogue  article about her early life:  “Berated by her mother for her homely looks, she grew up thinking of whimsical ways to beautify herself. Her astronomer uncle tried to allay her concerns about a cluster of moles on her cheek by noting their resemblance to the Big Dipper; years later, she recreated the constellation on the chairs in her salon, in embroideries, and on a cherished brooch. Schiap once took flower seeds and sowed them in her ears, mouth, and nose, in the hopes that she would blossom into a beauty. “To have a face covered with flowers like a heavenly garden would indeed be a wonderful thing!”

Some links for further reading. Her Biography.    The Met Museum Collection.    A Vogue Biography

And so, inspired by the great artist/designer that is Schiaparelli, I’m working on this series of Milos Mini-Bags.

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Inspiration Behind the Design – Milos Mini-Bag This Milos Mini-Bag design is inspired by two things: The lines "The kisses of your lips are honey, my love…

Milos Minibags Milos Mini Bags Stitching leather raindrops onto the front main-body piece of the  "Behind the moon, beyond the rain...

Milos Minibags Stitching leather raindrops onto the mainbody front of the - "Behind the moon, beyond the rain... somewhere over the rainbow" - leather minibag inspired by the ballad sung by Judy Garland and the amazing Israel Kamakawiw'ole. For the #ss16 leather minibag collection #madeonmilos #milos #milosisland #leather #leathercraft #leatheraccessories #leathergoods #leatherwork #leatherart #leatherhandbag #leatherlove #leathercrafts #leathercraft #handbags #handmade #limitededition #minibags #minibag (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)

The view from my afternoon coffee with Rula. (at Yankos Cafe-restaurant)

Easter family breakfast that almost makes up for the hour stolen during the night!!!! #family #familyfirst #familyiseverything #familyforever #pancakes #pancake #maplesyrup #coffee #breakfast

Today on the first day of Spring we present the first plants for the "Natural Dye Garden" This traditional Greek dye plant is called "Rhamnus Alaternus" (Mediterranean or Italian buckthorn) and is native to the region. Its Greek name, "Κιτρινόξυλο", could be directly translated as "yellow wood" which indicates the dye colour. It's a really tough plant that doesn't need much water and can stand up to strong winds and sea air. It was commonly used for dyeing and block printing traditional headdress. The aim of the dye garden is to supply colour for screenprinting, block printing and Eco-dyeing. #madeonmilos #milos #milosisland #milosdyegarden #milosnaturaldyegarden #naturaldyers #naturallydyed #naturaldye #naturaldyeing #sustainable #sustainability #sustainableart #sustainablefashion #planting #plantingday #ecoprinting #contactdyeing #ecodyeing (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)

Handbag hardware dilemma for the leather "Read My Lips" clutch. Add a detachable cross-body chain strap... or not? #madeonmilos (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)

I'm finally organising all my leather offcuts and scraps of fabric into colours so they can be stored in recycled boxes (given by a local sandwich shop) Zero-waste is the ultimate goal so I was thinking of inviting people to come to the studio to help use up the scraps. A craft therapy session❤️ #madeonmilos #savetheplanet (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)

Today my cutting table looks like I'm playing with a giant jigsaw puzzle. All these hand-cut leather pieces are for bag straps...so yes! I do believe straight up and down is just plain boring!!!! #madeonmilos (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)

Hobo bag in butter-soft nappa-leather handcrafted on Milos. #madeonmilos (at Milos Crafts Design Studio)