Step 1. Preparing theJeans
Remove belt loops,back pockets, waistband, zipper and zipper placket from a pair of old,freshly-laundered jeans.. Try avoid damaging either the jeans or the parts you wish to salvage for other projects. The Olfa rotary point cutter is a great tool for this task. (Don't worry if there are stains or worn spots - they add character.)

Leg
Cut off the hems on the legs and discard. Cut off each leg as close to the crotch seam as possible. Turn the leg right side out and open the leg by cutting off one of the seams. When choosing which seam to open, remove the flat fell seam. Due to the thickness of the flat fell seam; it can cause problems with some sewing machines and sergers.

Decide on the size of the bag. (A standard shirt box is 15½" x 10" x 2".) Add 2" to the finished length for the tie off area and cut across the closed jean leg. Each leg will produce two or three bags depending on the leg length and bag size. The bags can be constructed running the length of the leg or across the leg. When the leg is opened,it will most likely be wedge-shaped because of the taper of the leg. You can square it off for a more uniform appearance or use the larger edge for the top or bottom of the bag.

Hip Area
Cut out the inside lining of the front pocket. Cut a bag from each of the front sides and back. If the jeans are large, you may get three bags across this area. Topstitch with invisible thread over the existing stitching on the pockets to permanently close them. It is not necessary to stitch the watch fob pocket closed. Trim off any excess pocket fabric from the wrong side to ensure a larger design space area.

Step 2. Embroider
Each bag will be slightly larger on one side of the intact leg seam. Use the larger side to sew your embroidery design. When using the front hip area of the jeans, place the design below the pocket. Audition your design templates to see what works best for each bag.

Denim Bag & Ornaments
Position the design at least 1" from the bottom seam and at least 2" down from top. The design should be centered in the larger leg area. When using the top front of the jean, be sure that the design will not stitch on the pocket opening or the seam. Those are as are too thick for successful embroidery.

The pocket area is hard to hoop due to brads in some pockets and the thickness of some of the seams. When embroidering the front pocket area, use Hydro-stick stabilizer to eliminate hooping the denim. Embroider the design. The designs used here are Dakota Collectibles Christmas Critters.

Step 3. Finishing
Sew the side seam of the bag. While still turned wrong side out,mark 1½" to 2" from the top of the bag. Use a pencil and draw a straight line around the bag. Make a perpendicular mark every 1½" on the straight line. Make two slits (about ¼" apart) at each of the perpendicular marks with the buttonhole cutter.

Turn the bag right side out. For the tie, use Natural jute 3 ply twine. Cut the ties about 5 to 8 inches longer than the circumference of the bag. Thread the twine around the bag through the slits. Once the twine is threaded, tie a knot in each end.

When using the bags, you may want to wrap whatever you place in the bag in tissue paper to act as a cushion for the gift as well as to deter mischievous peepers.

Nautical Ornaments
Maryhelen Bronson and Shirley Jones

Themed Christmas trees are a terrific way to express holiday cheer. Embroidery designs can be transformed into Christmas tree ornaments with a few simple touches. Embroider the designs on water soluble stabilizer with tulle and add a hanger. Inspirational embellishments include adding a vinyl bottle to a ship and stringing several designs to make a garland.

Maryhelen and Shirley found these great nautical designs at the following sources:

OESD
seahorse, nautical flags, sea shell, conch shell, starfish, sand dollar, ship wheel, nautical rope and wreath

Digitized in Origins
Anchor, bottle

Ann the Gran
Lighthouse, ship, sailboat (Carole Hubbard), sailboat scene (Rick Dreher), flamingoes (Ann Cobb), shell (Hildegard Moenig)

Brother
sailing scene, shell garland, anchorand wheel, purple shell, conch shell, sehorse, captain hat, pirate head

Artistic Design
starfish