Denim Carrier Sash

For this project I wanted to utilize fabric that is readily available for many and is also durable for continued use. I decided on using a pair of jeans that I did not need anymore and had a great blue denim tone that I saw had potential for an awesome looking and utile sash. I will refrain from using measurements because each person has different heights or may want to place the pockets at slightly different locations. The great thing is that our bodies are naturally in ratio, so the length of our leg's pant size should give us enough material to complete custom sash carrier.

• Stitch removal tool
• Sewing needle
• Scissors
• Sewing pins
• Measuring tape
• 1 pair of old denim jeans
• Thread
• Carabiner Clips

Select the denim Jeans that you will use that is near to the size in height that you are wearing currently.

Use the stitch removal tool to cut through the threading holding the pants together. Begin from the ends cuffs of the pant leg (this is the easy way to start that I found) and stitch as you go upward which will make unstitching the following parts less difficult.

Be careful not to go too fast because the stitch removal tool is sharp enough to cut through the denim fabric and of course your hand.

Follow the seems as you approach the waist and continue to cut the pant leg until you separate the two pieces of the pant leg from the rest of the jeans. Repeat the process for the second pant leg making sure to leave the pockets, zipper, and belt loops intact but unstitched.

Here you will cut the leg of the jean just below where the zipper's location because that is only as much material that you need for the sash to go around your body.

Also trim the side of the pant leg so the it appears more or less like a rectangle.

On one half of the unstitched pant leg place the unstitched pocket of your pants with the edges meeting. Place the pocket about 2 and a half palms away (for me it was about 26 cm away) from the end of the pant leg since this will be the shoulder resting area. Use pins to hold the pocket in place so that you have a even and straight path to sew. As you go by remove the pin and store them safely.

*Do not stitch the top part of the material so that it may act as a second pocket, just along the sides and bottom.

* If you have threads from the thin linen of the actual pocket then you can use the stitch removal tool to take them off as seen in the pictures.

Afterwards fold the pant leg with the pocket to make a long sash. Then place the cuff over past the other pant leg so that the folds (one from the cuff the over is made) are not over one another as shown in the above picture. The folded piece with the pocket should be pinned and stitched completely across to the other pant leg's half.

Now fold over the other half of the pant leg without the pocket to the edge. Then stitch only along the edges on most of the long side and you should be left with a long pocket from which one can store a thin mat or long item.

*Do not stitch the long length edge of the sash with the pocket.

This step will involve the part of the sash with the pocket where the shoulder should be at.

Use the linen of the pocket that was unstitched to serve as bags that will hold an amount of cotton balls. Cut length of this pocket linen, fill with cotton, and stitch them closed onto the shoulder area between the two pockets (front pockets and back pocket).

Then you can closed up the sash's edge and have yourself a padded shoulder rest so that you may be more comfortable when carrying heavier things on your sash.

Let's add another place to store our precious items by using the pant's zipper to make a zipper pocket!

Using a pen choose a location to cut and place a zipper just below the front pockets. Here I placed it near the edge because one side will be easily sewn closed in the end and it make storing and taking out items easier.

The zipper should have another piece of fabric under it which will go under the top surface of the denim sash after inserting the zipper in the cut opening. Place pins to hold the zipper in place and begin sewing the top of the zipper to the top surface of the sash.

*Make sure to sew the top and bottom part of the zipper closed so that the moving zipping piece do not come off as you zip or unzip.

I recommend wearing the sash as it is at this point so that you can see how the ends of the unstitched sash should be oriented so that it is flat on your body. The ends should join perpendicular making a point instead of from end to end to prevent an uncomfortable fold when you wear it.

Cut the portion of one of the sash piece along the edge so that it goes above and below the other sash piece. Place pins and sew the inner edge that is over the other sash. Leave the outer edge as is for now to make sewing the loops easier.

Place two belt loops from the jeans waist and arrange them as seen on the picture and sew them on the surface of the sash. Once you are done you can finish sewing the edges of the whole sash and add carabineers to finish up the project.

Now you have a useful denim sash so that you can store all of your precious items that would have either be left or over stuffed in your pants or sweater pockets. And with the added loops you can place carabineers to hold your bags hands free. The back pocket could be used to hold mats like one you could make from the extra denim jean material left or place long items such as tubes or equipment.

What More Could Be Added?

The back part of the sash could also use thin reflectors covered by Velcro denim flaps so that at night cars can see you when crossing but can be covered during the day.

You can also embroider your name on the sash.

Use conductive thread to add lights or electronic components to your carrier sash to make it more technologically practical.

Thank you for reading the project and I hope you have been even the slightest bit inspired to make a similar sash. Special thanks to my brother for modeling the Carrier Sash.