I’m sharing a review of a sewing pattern book that’s all about making projects from the old jeans I know you have stashed in your closet along with a giveaway for the chance to win my review copy. The free excerpted denim messenger bag pattern was available through September 30, 2025. This post is also part of the sixth annual Christmas in July Make Along, so read on for details.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. GMC Publications Ltd provided me with a free review copy of Denim Upcycled: Breathe New Life Into Old Jeans (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) by Janet Goddard. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Today’s book review includes the denim Messenger Bag pattern, a sewing pattern that is the tenth project in the Christmas in July Make Along! To join the sixth annual Christmas in July Make Along:
- Sign up for Christmas in July Make Along Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter to get regular updates, including an update as each pattern is released. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses.
- Visit this blog post for links to each pattern as it goes live, and to enter the giveaway by Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern for your chance to win a great prize.
- You can join in by crocheting, knitting, sewing, or making the projects as you have time.
- Share your progress and post pictures of your finished projects. Tag your projects and posts #CIJMakeAlong2024 on all social media.
- If you’d like to chat with other crafters, join the Underground Crafters Facebook group.
- If you need more handmade holiday inspiration, check out the weekly roundups with even more free patterns for gift ideas.
- By the end of the Make Along, you’ll have up to 31 awesome projects. Get ready for the handmade holiday season while having fun with us!
- Use this button below on your Ravelry project pages or elsewhere on social media. Right click (on desktop) or tap and hold (on mobile) to save.
Book Review: Denim Upcycled
Denim Upcycled: Breathe New Life Into Old Jeans (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is a collection of sewing projects made from upcycled denim by Janet Goddard.
The book opens with an Introduction where Janet reminds us why we love denim so much! It’s made from plant fibers (so it’s great for vegans and omnivores alike), it’s comfy and durable, and easy to care for. The Introduction mentions what I’ve shared here before with my own upcycled denim posts: that most of us already have some jeans in our closet that are no longer fit for active rotation in our wardrobes and sewing up something fun is a great way to keep still usable denim out of the landfill!
The next chapter is A Brief History of Denim, where Janet highlights some key points in the history of the fabric. Deconstructing Your Jeans describes how to clean, select, and cut denim from jeans and how to store your denim scraps. Other Materials discusses fabrics, fusibles, threads, and notions you may use in the projects from this book. Equipment explores the basics you’ll need to have on hand: your sewing machine, acrylic rulers, scissors, pins and clips, needles, fabric markers and glue pens, the iron and ironing board, and seam rippers. The Stitching Denim section shares some excellent tips for taking measurements and using templates from the book, piecing and finishing seams, and using top stitching decoratively or to secure an edge. This section also includes written instructions with photos for raw edge machine appliqué. The Hand Sewing and Embroidery Stitches section includes an overview of starting and ending a stitch, turning through and finishing, written instructions for the slip stitch, and written and illustrated instructions for several embroidery stitches (running stitch, backstitch, cross stitch, French knot, chain stitch and single chain, lazy daisy, and blanket stitch).
The next section is Projects, followed by Templates for all the projects that use templates. Each pattern includes a name and introduction, the finished size, a list of supplies (including denim, additional fabrics, and haberdashery/notions, as well as the page of any relevant templates), and preparation notes. The projects include written instructions with photos of each completed step as well as a full-page photo of the completed project in use. Most of the patterns also include tips. There are 25 patterns, including:
- 7 bags (a coin pouch, a zippered pouch, a tote bag, a messenger bag, a drawstring bag, a bottle gift bag, and a pencil case),
- 6 home decor projects (storage baskets, three pillows with appliqué and embellishment, hanging stuffed hearts, and a wall hanging organizer),
- 5 cozies and covers (a phone case, a notebook cover, a water bottle carrier, a plant pot cover, and a tablet pouch),
- 3 wearable accessories (a brooch, a decorative cuff, and a pendant),
- 2 garments (shorts and a skirt), and
- Luggage tags and a portable tic-tac-toe type game.
The book starts with a table of contents and ends with an index. Although it is a paperback, it has front and back cover flaps so it’s easy to keep your place while sewing. Janet’s writing in the early sections is conversational while her instructions are clear and straightforward. The addition of the progress photos (taken against a solid off-white background without other items for distraction) means that even beginner sewists should feel confident working through these patterns. Denim Upcycled: Breathe New Life Into Old Jeans (available through independent booksellers or on Amazon) is ideal for beginner sewists, sewists new to working with denim, or upcyclers looking for project inspiration.
Giveaway
After reading my review of Denim Upcycled: Breathe New Life Into Old Jeans by Janet Goddard and trying out the denim Messenger Bag pattern, you are probably ready to get your hands on this book! You can buy it now through independent booksellers or on Amazon, or enter the giveaway below by 11:59 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, July 21, 2024 for your chance to win my review copy. While my copy of the book was provided by GMC Publications Ltd, the giveaway is organized by Underground Crafter. Enter using any of the options on the Rafflecopter widget below. One winner will be chosen from the entries at random to win my review copy of the book. Winner will be contacted approximately 1 week after the entries close. Winner will have 3 days to claim the prize. If winner does not respond within 3 days, prize will be awarded to an alternate. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to share your contact information with Rafflecopter and/or Underground Crafter. You can read the Rafflecopter Privacy Policy and the Underground Crafter Privacy Policy here to understand how this information is used. This giveaway is open worldwide, except where prohibited by law. Good luck!