Denim Bicycle Frame Bag

For this project, we will be using an old pair of jeans to create the Bicycle Frame Bag.

First, we will need to cut off one of the legs of the jeans to give us a starting point.

Gather your tools and materials.

We will need:

• Scissors
• Hammer
• Nail
• Screwdriver
• Ruler
• Marker
• Snap Fasteners (to create the buttons)
• Fabric glue (or sewing kit/machine)
• Tape

Making sure the denim folds over the top of the frame at least a few inches, we will mark the line of the bottom of the bag for cutting.

Using the ruler and marker, we will mark another line that is 1-2 inches longer than the first line we made.

After cutting, the jean leg should look like this.

Cut along the sides of the jeans, up to the first line we made.

This will create flaps that will overlap to form the bottom of the bag.

Snip off the pointed end like so.

We will use fabric glue to close the flaps we have made to create the bottom of the bag.

You may choose to use a sewing needle or machine instead.

We will glue one flap and fold in down like so.

We will glue the other flap over the first to create a secure bottom.

We will use the tape to secure the glue until it dries.

Test the fit of the cut on your bicycle.

The top of the bag should still hang over the top of the bicycle frame.

Using the marker, we will mark the line on the bottom of the top frame, to create the opening for the bag.

We will cut along the seams from the top of the bag down to the line we have made.

Make sure there is 1-2 inches of denim on either side like so. We will use this later to create the straps that attach the bag to the top of the frame.

After you have cut the strip, the jeans should look like this.

We will create a fold on the opening and glue it down. This will make it more durable and prevent it from fraying.

Using the bicycle frame as a reference again, we will cut the top of the bag to form.

Fold the top of the bag over the top of the bicycle frame.

Cut off the excess, leaving enough room for the snap fasteners (buttons) we will use to snap the straps into place.

Cut along the border of the double layer and single layer denim like so.

This will create the closing flap for the bag and the straps to attach the bag to the top of the bicycle frame.

Attach the double layer of denim together (with fabric glue or sewing).

Again, this is for the straps to attach the bag to the top of the frame.

Cut off excess denim for the closing flap.

Leave enough material overhang so that we can made a fold and attach a button.

We will create another fold and glue it down so that the denim does not fray.

Making sure that the straps fit securely on your bicycle, we will mark where to attach the snap fasteners.

A snap fastener kit can be acquired from your local hardware store.

To attach the snaps, we will need:

• Hammer
• Nail
• Screwdriver

Separate the components. The button and socket go together, and the eyelet and stud go together.

Using the nail, we will poke a hole through the strap where we want the button to go.

Using the screwdriver, make the hole bigger so that the button can fit through.

Using the anvil on bottom, place the button on top of the anvil.

The button will go through the hole we have created.

Finally, place the socket on top.

Make sure the button is oriented in the correct direction to snap onto the bag.

Using the flaring tool, hammer the button assembly into place.

This will create the button.

Fold the strap with the button we have made over and mark the position for the button snap.

Make sure that it fits your bicycle.

Again, punch a hole using the nail and screwdriver for the button snap.

Make sure that it is only through the first layer of the bag (not both layers).

Using the eyelet and stud components, create the button snap.

First place the anvil down (inside the bag).

Place the eyelet on top of the anvil.

The eyelet should go through the hole.

Place the stud on top, and hammer it down using the flaring tool.

We have created a button!

Make sure that the first strap works and fits securely on your bicycle.

Repeat steps 19-24 for the other strap.

After you have finished making the second strap, test the fit on your bicycle again.

So far, the bag should look like so.

Using scrap denim from this project, we will create a strap securing the bag to the front of the bicycle frame.

Using the marker, make sure that the strap is long enough and make any needed cuts.

To make this strap completely removable, we will attach two button snaps onto the bag.

Punch a hole through the bag where the strap should attach to.

Attach one button snap on both sides of the bag.

Attach two buttons on the strap we have made.
This should correspond to the two button snaps we attached to the bag.

Again, test the fit on your bicycle.

It should look like the picture above.

Repeating steps 28-30, we will create the final strap attaching the bag to the bottom of the bicycle frame.

Test again!

We have made all the straps attaching the bag to the frame of the bicycle.

The final step is to create the button for the flap that closes the bag.

Using the methods we learned earlier, attach the button on the top and the button snap on the bottom.

Your bicycle frame bag is complete!