Old Pants to Snazzy Purses [VIDEO]

You’ve got leftover fabric from worn out jeans. Sew what do you do with it?

Reuse it for a fun summer craft. That's what Kristie Proctor did.

She led the “Sisterhood of the Travelling (recycled) Pants” sewing event Wednesday, June 29, as part of the summer reading festivities at the

At the event, youngsters 10 and older recycled their old jeans, sewing them into pouch purses.

Proctor said while the title came from the popular book series by Ann Brashares, the idea for the event was inspired at home.

“I had leftover fabric from my daughter, who was making shorts'' out of old jeans, she said. “I liked the idea of recycling blue jeans, so I looked up different crafts for them.”

Proctor used her seamstress skills to help 14 participants cut, stitch and zip their old jeans into pouch purses.

Proctor said many pieces of the jeans are used to create the purses. The two back pockets are cut and sewn together to form the pouch, the fly is used to zip the pouch open and shut and the remaining fabric is used as the strap.

“The hardest part of the whole thing is keeping the needle threaded,” she said.

Aside from acquiring hand-made accessories, many kids came to the event looking for fun with friends.

Her friends encouraged her to attend, said Kiersten Lima. “I come to most of the (summer reading) events to have fun.”

Proctor said diving in the craft box is a great way to have fun, no matter where you are.

“It’s a great way to kick off summer, making something hands-on,” she said.

For more information on summer reading events, visit Grafton Public Library, or call (508) 839-4649.

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