Accessories are, by far, my favorite form of fashion. Specifically, I love unusual jewelry (vintage or upcycled), scarves, and bags (thrifted or upcycled). So, it’s not exactly surprising that I have quite a few blog posts for accessories. I might actually have more tutorials for DIY bags (or upcycling bags into something else) than any other accessory.
My collection includes DIY bags that I bought from artisan markets, such as these upcycled tote bags. One from a vintage feed sack and the other from a vintage delivery bag.
But, as I’d mentioned, I’ve made plenty of DIY bags on my blog, as well! One of my favorites involved upcycling a purse into a hip bag for hands-free shopping.
Such an improvement over a regular ole’ fanny pack, right?
I also included a few bag ideas in my book, “Crafting with Flannel”, as well!
These just scratch the surface of bag-making from upcycled materials, though. And sometimes, a pre-made bag is upcycled into something else entirely. So, the upcycling street goes both ways.
And this one- a slightly damaged leather tote bag that I decorated with travel patches. A wink and a nod to the vintage suitcases covered in travel stickers that I’ve admired over the years.
If you’re anything like me, though, you’re ALSO a fan of bags (and purses, totes, and clutches, too). So, I scoured the web and gathered all sorts of upcycling ideas for DIY bags to help inspire your next bag-making endeavor!
Upcycling Ideas for DIY Bags
SO MANY IDEAS, so little time. Isn’t that always the case? But these really make me want to try my hand at another bag project…
Or, perhaps I’ll find a bag at a thrift store and repurpose it into something else entirely! It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that happened…
Either way, think you’ll try out a new idea for a DIY or upcycled bag? I promise, you don’t need to be an expert sewist, either. Or even a mediocre sewist, which is what I am. Sometimes, all I do is embellish a bag from the thrift!
Little to no sewing required. Either way, I’m fairly certain there is an upcycled bag idea out there for you, no matter your crafting or sewing level.
And thrift stores are a great place to start, no matter which project you decide to tackle!
I hope you’ve been inspired by this collection of DIY bags. I know I’ve got oodles of thrifted fabric that I could get started with, if I wanted to go the sewing route. But who knows, maybe a tote at the thrift store will inspire me to go in a new direction.
Update- one already did!
Gee darn, guess there’s only one way to find out- by going thrifting!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Thank you for collecting all these ideas for us! It’ll give me a different perspective on bags when I am yard saling/thrifting!
You do it well, i like your style.
Thanks, Glena!
Thank you for this post.
Thank you for including my bags in this collection of AWESOME ideas! 🙂 Repurposing fashion accessories is highly satisfying in so many ways.
Totally! And you do such exceptional work- I hope you saw a through click throughs from this!