How to Make Trendy Denim Handbag at Home

Figure A

Steps:

1. Set washing machine on gentle cycle, lowest/smallest water level, and warm wash/cold rinse. Zip purse closed and drop into water as machine fills. Pour 1 to 1-1/2 cups bleach directly onto bag as machine fills. When agitation begins, turn off machine and let bag soak for about 20 minutes. Poke bag into water with broom handle three or four times during soak. Splash more bleach onto bag if color remains too dark. Let cycle finish after 20-minute soaking is complete. Hang bag to dry overnight.

Figure B

2. Type the word "handbag" in a page layout or word-processing computer program. The typeface used in our project is Times Roman at 170 point size. Choose "flip horizontal" or "mirror" setting in the "Print" dialog box (this will depend on your computer and printer). Print "handbag" onto ink jet premium glossy photo paper. DO NOT use any paper that is marked as quick drying.

Figure C

3. Lay dry purse as flat as possible. Spritz with water six to eight times. Trim printed word from photo paper, leaving about 3/4 inch all around. Lay printed photo paper face down onto desired section of purse and smooth paper down with hand.

Figure D

4. Mist back of photo paper with a few more sprays of water. Hold paper with one hand and burnish back of paper with fingers first and then bone folder for about a minute.

Figure E

5. Lift up corner of paper to peek at progress of transfer. If transfer looks too light after 45 seconds, spray a tiny bit more water onto the fabric and continue burnishing. Remove photo paper. Dab up any slightly gooey emulsion left behind by the paper with a damp rag. Note: Dab AROUND the periphery of the transfer, NOT the transfer itself! Let purse dry thoroughly. Tip: Test the transfer technique first on a scrap piece of laundered denim, muslin or canvas to get the hang of it.

Figure G

6. Spray dry purse with a light coat or two of matte spray sealer to fix the ink. Option: AFTER spray sealer has dried, spray purse with a fabric protectant. Use rotary hole punch tool to make random holes all along purse handle.

Figure H

7. Thread the suede lace through punched holes in a random fashion and secure at each end with a knot and a dab of leather cement.

Figure J

8. Adjust belt to fit around top edge of purse. Use heavy scissors to trim belt to size. Add necessary hole with same rotary punch tool used on handle. Buckle belt closed. Secure the belt to the purse by creating belt loops with pairs of large safety pins, pushing pins through the denim behind the belt.