How to Make a Chalk Bag From Your Old Clothes

Need a new chalk bag but don't want to buy a run-of-the-mill one from the store? Take an old pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and some sweatpants, and make your own! This chalk bag is built strong to last many days on the wall. And because you made it yourself you can add your own personal style.

Old Clothes

1. For the outside, use a thicker piece like denim. I used an old denim jacket and skirt. I only ended up using one sleeve from the jacket and a small circle from the skirt.
2. For the inside, use a piece of clothing that is similar to fleece. I used an old fuzzy pajama shirt.
3. You also need a stretchy piece of fabric; you could use a T-shirt.
4. Bias tape. I used some 3/4-inch grosgrain ribbon that I had lying around. But if you don't want to buy ribbon you can make some double-fold bias tape from some of your clothes. If you don't know how to do that there are many great tutorials on the internet.

Equipment

1. Sewing Machine. I used a serger as well, but it is not necessary, just make sure to zigzag stitch over the edges!
2. Paracord
3. Cord lock
4. Fabric Scissors
5. Seam Ripper

Before we are able to cut up our pattern pieces, we have to prepare our fabric. This means seam ripping and pockets and hems and cutting off the sleeves. I seam ripped off the pockets in the front of my jean jacket. Then the sleeves need to be cut off at the shoulder. After the sleeves are cut from the shoulder, cut down the seam on the bottom of the sleeve to create a single square of fabric. I used this method for the jean jacket and the fuzzy pink pajama shirt. For the skirt, I cut off the waistband and the zipper and then cut down a seam to open it into a rectangle.

For the outside of the bag, we will need to cut the denim into a rectangle and a circle.

For the rectangle fold the denim in half. On the fold, measure 6 inches. Perpendicular to the fold will be 8 inches. Cut this out and you have the outside rectangle.

The circle will have a radius of 2 3/4 inches (a diameter of 5 1/2 inches). To mark the circle, I marked the center point and then rotated my ruler around marking at the beginning of it and then at 5 1/2 inches. This gave me a nice circle of dots. After you have your circle of dots cut out the circle. Now you have both the pieces to sew the outside of your bag.

Cutting out the liner is very similar to cutting the outside, but the measurements are a bit smaller so that it will fit inside the outside. On the fold of the liner material measure 5.5 inches, and perpendicular to the fold measure 7 inches high. After cutting you should have a 14-inch by 5.5-inch rectangle. For the bottom of the lining, we measure out the circle again but this time with a 4.5-inch diameter (a 2.25-inch radius).

This material will end up connecting the liner and the outside of the bag. It also allows for the drawstring to be tightened. In order to allow for the drawstring to be tightened, the stretch needs to be parallel to the fold as we are cutting the fabric. Along the fold will be 6 inches and perpendicular to the fold (and the stretch), will be 7 inches.

Now that all the materials are cut, it is time to start sewing. We will start by sewing the liner together. First, fold the liner in half, good sides together then sew that together. Once that is done, take the circle and clip it to the liner, so when it is sewn all the seams will face out.

To sew the outside, we will follow the same steps as for the liner. Clip the denim rectangle good sides together then sew. Clip the circle to the (now) cylinder and sew the seam so that all of the seams are facing out. Once done sewing flip it rightside out.

Now take the stretchy rectangle and fold it in half short sides together. Pin it and sew it. Once sewn, fold it in half so that the stitching is no longer seen and it makes a nice folded in half circle of fabric.

To complete the liner, we have to add the stretch connecter. Take the folded side of the stretch connecter and pin it to the liner so that when sewn all of the stitching will be on the same side. Sew it together.

Now we add a buttonhole. I opted to use a previously made buttonhole off of the jean jacket, so I didn't have to set up my buttonholer. I cut a hole in the front of the outside across from the back seam of the bag. Then I cut small diagonal cuts at all four corners so I could fold the raw edges underneath. With the raw edges folded under and the buttonhole lined up under the hole in the outside, sew a square around the excess fabric of the buttonhole while catching the edges of the outside of the bag.

While this is not the nicest-looking way of doing it, I found that it adds a bit of extra character to the bag. It also is usually covered up by the cord lock.

To attach the liner to the outside we will need the paracord and cord lock as well. Place the liner inside the outside with all of the seams facing the outside. Place the paracord in between the liner and the outside and run the ends of the cord through the buttonhole. On the other side of the buttonhole, slide the cord lock onto the ends of the cord and then tie an overhand knot where you want your bag to be fully extended. I recommend cutting and burning the cord at the ends. Once the cord is in place, take the stretch connecter and clip it to the top of the outside. Make sure that the paracord stays between the two layers (the liner and outside). Sew along the top of the bag.

To make the top look nice and neat, bind the top with the 3/4-inch ribbon or your choice of double-fold bias tape. Start at the back seam of the bag a sew the folded ribbon or bias tape all the way along the top of the bag. Cut, burn, and sew down the end of the bias tape.

To finish the chalk bag, add some gear loops. These will allow you to hook a carabiner on or run a belt through. I used two pieces of 4-inch-long grosgrain ribbon. Adjust the length larger or smaller depending on the width of your belt. Tack these on, one on each side of the back seam of the bag.

I recommend using a hand needle and tacking the bottom of the liner to the bottom of the bag so that the liner will not flip inside out. It isn't necessary but does make the bag that much nicer and is definitely a good ideal if you are making them for other people.

And that's it! You have a brand-new chalk bag and didn't even have to buy fabric to make it! Now you can have endless colors and designs of cool chalk bags made with the clothes you were going to through away.