Cowgirl Purses from Cowboy Boots (Upcycle)

Traditional Method/What You’ll Need:

Cowboy/cowgirl boot 

Scissors

Awl-in-one leather sewing tool

Glover ‘s needle

Hemp, jute, or leather cording (fine enough to fit through needle)

Glue gun 

Assorted lace, fringe, yoyos, buttons, bangles, etc.

“D” ring belt (for purse strap)

Two pairs of pliers

1. Cut top of boot off, trim if needed.

2. Open boot top, press flat, so that upper boot loops are at each side.

3. Punch and stitch along bottom edge with awl/needle.

4. Make strap by removing one “D” ring from belt (use pliers to bend loop open and slide off). Fold opposite end of belt up, to look like other and glue into loop. Insert “D” ring on newly finished loop and through one leather boot loop, bend closed. Bend open remaining free “D” ring, slip through last free leather boot loop, bend closed (Note: if boots don’t have leather loops, stitch “D” rings using same method as used to stitch purse bottom shut).

5. Embellish using glue gun.

Quick & Easy Method/What You’ll Need:

Cowboy/cowgirl boot

Scissors

Drill

1/4” Spade bit

2x4 Wood scrap 

Glover ‘s needle or doll needle 

Hemp (fine enough to fit through needle)

Glue gun 

Assorted lace, fringe, yoyos, buttons, bangles, etc.

“D” ring belt (for purse strap)

Two pairs of pliers

1. Cut top of boot off, trim if needed.

2. Open boot top, press flat, so that upper boot loops are at each side.

3. Insert 2x4 in open boot end, as drill bit stopper. Drill matching holes around boot edge, rotating boot leather as needed.

4. Use hemp and needle to easily sew edges together.

5. Make strap by removing one “D” ring from belt (use pliers to bend loop open and slide off). Fold opposite end of belt up, to look like other and glue into loop. Insert “D” ring on newly finished loop and through one leather boot loop, bend closed. Bend open remaining free “D” ring, slip through last free leather boot loop, bend closed (Note: if boots don’t have leather loops, stitch “D” rings using same method as used to stitch purse bottom shut).

6. Embellish using glue gun.

*Note: other embossed  boot scraps can be used as pocket (see photo).