Tues Tutorial~ Recycled Jean Wood Carrier

 Last Sunday after Church and Chinese Food, (Fa, Ra, Ra, La, A Christmas Story Memory), I finally had my second and last Christmas gathering. One of the gifts I made and gave was to my Son in Law to carry in their wood.  It was made from an old pair of jeans, because that's the roughest, toughest fabric I know.  It gave my new M7 machine a great workout. Emmie did not fail me. She sewed through these layers like butter.  Although, I still took it slow and easy because of past experience with other machines I've had. Here's how I made it.

 

 

 

 

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Tuesday Tutorial

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No measurements.

Just whatever is cut from the both legs of the jeans.

 Keep the hem intact.

 

Sew the 2 pieces together leaving the hems on the edge.

Yes, you do see hems on both sides,

because I hemmed the edges first before I sewed together.

I had to rip the hem from where I sewed the pieces together

so I could work the seam.

So, I recommend, sew the pieces together first

and Flat Felled that seam.

Trim one side of the seam narrow enough

so the other side of the seam 

can fold over and under the other side.

 

Go down the direction that works best for you.

 

 

 THEN hem the raw edges of the entire piece.

Turn and stitch raw edges.

I trimmed away as much of the flat felled seams

so I could double turn the edges over.

I did use the "Hump Jumper"

that actually came with my machine

to help keep my stitch line straight.

 

I finally just cut away

 as much of the flat felled seam as possible

and opened it flat.

That worked the best.

 

Making One Continuous Handle

 Determine handle measurement x2.

Then add the measurement of the length of body of the carrier x2.

 

Cut a pieces of fabric 4 inches wide

to sew together to make the length you need.

 I didn't use jean fabric, because it was too bulky.

I had some cotton jean looking design fabric for the handles.

I used half inch seam for strength.

To be able to turn inside out,

I first made one long strip sewing each end closed.

 

Sew right long sides together

leaving an opening for turning.

My trusty turning tool

a knitting needle that lost it's mate years ago

and now been with me for years.

It's long enough and easy for me to hold

and has a blunt enough end that usually

 doesn't poke through the seam.
The end cap of the needle keeps it from going all the way in

or at least easy to grab.

The seam was pressed to the middle

so it will be hidden when sewn on the body of the carrier. 

I then had to take the seam out of the end

and enough down the side

to sew a seam of the ends together.

Then fold under again to look continuous.

I didn't worry about stitching closed.

I just pressed

and made sure this section was sewn on the body of the bag,

because sewing on each side of the handle 

would totally hide this opening.
 

I placed the strap about 5 inches in from the edge.

 

 

Then stitch all around

nonstop on the inside and outside edge

of the handle.

 

Notice the cross hatch stitch

I usually use on handles 

for much needed strength.
 

 

 

You just lay the bag open

on the ground and lay wood across

the bag.

Lay wood until you get to the point

 the handles just come together to carry.

If you're that strong. 

 

I thought it was going to be too late to use it

for their fireplace

since we've had so much spring weather,

but looks like more cold is here.

I had one of these a few years back.

I really liked not having to cradle the splintery wood in my arm

AND

I could carry a LOT more wood with one of these.

Make it as big as you can carry the load,

or a small one for children.

That used to be a chore of mine as a child.

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