Family Fun 101: Need a party idea? Host a Make Your Own Purse Party

August 8, 12:25 PMFort Myers Family Entertainment ExaminerVicki Chavis

Previous Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Fort Myers Family Entertainment Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Easy to sew and decorate, jean purses for all ages

At the end of a long, hot summer just before school shopping begins in earnest, host a fun party with your daughter and her friends that won't strain your budget.

Everyone has jeans in their closet that don't fit. These can be transformed into a unique accessory. Don't forget to look in the baby closet for jeans that can be turned into adorable purses as well.

Host a Craft Party with Your Daughter and Her Friends

What should you have on hand to host this kind of party? You'll need a large table where everyone can set up their projects. If you have room for six at your table, you can start by setting up each person's workspace with all the necessary tools.

Each space should have room for cutting the jeans, gluing (if there is no sewing machine available), and stringing the beads for the handles. Small jars of beads should be available for each crafter. Setting up another card table or workspace for just sewing or just gluing is another good idea to allow more room to work. There should be one pair of scissors for every two crafters to keep the project flowing smoothly.

Once the work stations are organized with enough tools and recycled materials such as beads, buttons, lace and ribbons, make sure to explain to the group how to make two different kinds of jean purses.

Make Two Different Jean Purses

The first jean purse idea is shown in the photos here. All that's needed is a pair of jeans, any color or size which each party goer should be encouraged to bring from home. If you don't have any old jeans to throw away, a good place to find some is your local Good Will or other family thrift store where jeans can be purchased for various prices, from 50 cents to $2.00 a pair. 

The jeans should be cut below the crotch area and sewn or glued inside out. Jean skirts also make an easy transformation without as much cutting. Adding fringe to the bottom of a jean skirt purse is a cute variation.

Velvet or grosgrain ribbons can be tied through the belt loops for decorative flair that can be changed out to go with different outfits. Stringing beads for the handles brings even more style to the jean purses.

Another idea for handles is to use ribbon, scarves or old belts. Attaching the handles might require some stitching, so if the host has a small sewing machine, she could supervise the stiching of the handles and the bottom of the bags.

The second jean purse that can be made is a smaller, pocket sized bag that young girls love to make and use. Two can be cut out of one pair of jeans by using the two back pockets. Velcro can be used to close the top of the Pocket Purse. You'll want to make a long strap since this is a purse that's worn by wearing it over the shoulder across the chest. It should comfortably reach the hip.

Embellishing the Pocket Purse with fabric paint, sequins or beads is what the party goers love best, so be sure to have enough choices on hand to make each purse unique. They can add lace, fringe, leather strips, and an endless array of beads to make it uniquely theirs.

Make sure to have lots of good music (for inspiration, of course), fun snacks and drinks for the girls and plenty of room to wander around to share ideas with each other. 

Take digital photos of the process and then at the end of the party (2-3 hours), make sure to take photos of each of the girls and their created purses. And moms, make sure you make one too, so you and your daughter will always remember the fun summer purse party of 2009!

Don't throw away baby clothes; turn them into purses

No matter what size jeans you have, make a perfect purse