Re-purposed denim and leather bag

It's taken me a while, but here it is: the new and improved denim and leather bag.
After painstakingly taking several pairs of jeans apart, cutting the denim into sewing pieces, and stitching them together in a patchwork design that works, I made what I think is one of my best totes. I used one of my favorite floral prints for the lining, with a fun, matching stripe for the slip pocket.
The handles are long enough to wear the bag over the shoulder. Just for fun, I added a key ring to the end of a handle (visible in the first picture).
I am thinking book bag, market bag, BEACH bag!!! I know, thinking way ahead here...
For more pictures and details, click here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/124030005/eco-friendly-recycled-denim-and-leather

I am currently working on a new waxed canvas tote -with lots of leather - and a men's wallet. I still need to learn to stitch leather in a straight line. If anybody out there has an idea on how to accomplish that, please let me know.
Take care,
Genevieve

New things

I finally got my new sewing machine. YAY!
It was shipped while I was on vacation, so we opened the boxes on Sunday and, slowly but surely, Joe started putting it together. This is no small job; the directions are sketchy, the pictures dark, and  some steps are missing altogether. However, I have a very smart husband and he managed to figure things out, working on the assembly a little bit every night after work. Some nights, the air was blue...
I won't be able to use the machine just yet, as we found out that the belt is too long and we will have to order another one. Bummer...

Three of the four boxes

The top

Almost finished

What are those extra parts?

While Joe was assembling the machine, I designed a new bag for my brand new line of recycled denim/vintage fabric and leather totes. I love denim and the way it ages in different shades of blue.  

It is a pretty big bag with a square base (10"x10"), 15" high, and 20" at the top.

I hope you'll like it too.