The latest design to come from the kitchen atelier of Liz Haywood is the zero waste belt bag, and I couldn’t wait to give it a go! The pattern is currently 25% off so even better.

I really wanted a recycled denim one so had a little hunt for something big enough and found the leg of a pair of jeans. Hmm, an extra seam would be required but it might work. I wasn’t actually sure so decided I had nothing to lose and would consider it a trial run.

I unpicked the hem and one seam and set about cutting out the pattern, which consists of a rectangle with clever cuts. Part of the pattern is cut on the fold so I folded my leg to position the remaining seam in a place I felt I could manage.

This is the only in progress photo I took. I nearly didn’t show it, worrying about Liz’s intellectual property, but she has a diagram on her blog, so I think I’m ok, but just in case I’ve covered a few things up.. It looks like one of those redacted documents in a spy movie!

The pattern has just been placed on, I haven’t aligned it with the grain at this point.

Do you think the leg was chewed off the jeans? Someone gave me this pair of legs and I’ve never really looked at them before!

For the fastening I used a wooden toggle, probably from a duffle coat, and I affixed it with leather thonging. You can see where the seam was positioned, which I am ok with, except the second pleat finished up too close to it.

i added two labels: Made in 2024 and one that Mark chose which is “Crafted with care, worn with love”.

I am not sure that I have the top flap sitting properly and will be checking this more carefully next time.

I am wearing it here with an elasticated belt with the US flag on it. I think it came out of the dress up box!

It sits so nicely on my hip and can be moved around so I still have access to my pocket. Please note that I’m wearing my pink Stokx play pants with the #StokxInTheWild label, and a self drafted tee shirt, which is a few years old now.

A few more random photos as I experimented with how to wear it.

Of course the minute the husband saw it, he thought he’d like it, which delighted me as it gives me an opportunity to make another – perhaps in leather. He was about to go out so put it straight on. When he came home he was raving about it, which made me happy.

I really enjoyed making this little bag, it is simple and fun and probably lends itself to a bit of hackery – for example a small pocket for money might be handy, and I’m sure it could be lined if that was your thing. Did I mention that it’s currently 25% off, making it really inexpensive and it’s a fabulous scrapbuster too.

Finally, little E makes a beeline for the piano whenever she comes for a visit. She uses both hands and makes happy noises – a virtuoso in the making? I need to get that piano tuned urgently or it might ruin her ear!