👖 Meet “Oliver”: My First Repurposed Denim Bag

Every maker remembers their first. For me, it was a bag stitched together from memories, family belief in me and a whole lot of denim.

It started with a pair of old Levi’s and a Ralph Lauren shirt—both given to me by my nephew, Oliver, as he was no longer wanted them. At the time, I didn’t know that this simple act would spark a whole new creative journey. I’d always loved crafting, but this was my first dive into repurposing denim. And let me tell you, I fell in love with the process.

Soon, word spread. Family and friends began donating their old jeans, each pair arriving with its own story woven into the seams. I turned to Google and YouTube, exploring the world of upcycled fashion and discovering a vibrant community of makers. One particular creator’s approach struck a chord with me, and that inspiration led to the birth of my very first design: the “Oliver.”

Named after the nephew who unknowingly launched this adventure, the Oliver bag was a celebration of character and craftsmanship. I kept the Levi’s label and pocket detailing, letting the original features shine through. The interior was lined with a soft blue-and-white checkered fabric from the Ralph Lauren shirt—a nod to the blend of rugged and refined, even adding the logo on the inside pocket. For that extra touch I appliquéd a heart-shaped patch to the lining bottom, a quiet little signature of love stitched into the soul of the bag.

🧵 The workspace was a flurry of fabric scraps, rotary cutters, and thread watching over me like a creative guardian. Every cut and seam was a learning curve, but also a joy. The Oliver bag wasn’t just functional—it was personal.

When I brought it to one of my craft fayres, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But it didn’t take long before someone spotted its charm and gave it a new home. Watching it leave my stall was bittersweet, but mostly sweet. It was proof that something old could become something cherished.

Since then, I’ve continued crafting bags from donated denim, each one unique and full of personality. The one above using the waistbands as handles has also been sold. But the Oliver will always be my first love—the spark that lit the fire. Thank you Oliver 😘