Upcycled Water Bottle Sling
By Betz White
The Upcycled Water Bottle Sling gives your kids’ outgrown cargo pants a fresh new life. This project is a fast and fun way to make use of those wonderful pockets kids love. On your next nature hike, your child can tote their own water plus have a handy place to stash all of those amazing rocks and other special finds from the day.
Materials
1 pair of children’s outgrown cargo pants
Light weight cotton fabric for lining, approx. 9” x 13”
1 yd cotton webbing, 1” wide
Coordinating thread
Tools
Sewing Machine
Fabric Shears
Straight Pins
Ruler
Marking tool (disappearing ink or chalk)
Step 1: Deconstruct
Choose a pair of cargo pants that is in good condition without holes or excessive wear. With fabric shears, cut open one leg along the inseam starting at the hem. Cut across the leg, perpendicular with the side seam. Open up the pant leg and press.
Step 2: Cut Panels
Measure and cut a large rectangle, roughly centering the cargo pocket with at least 1” of fabric extending above the top of the pocket. Note: my water bottle measures about 8” tall and 10” around. I cut my rectangle to measure 9”x 13” to accommodate the bottle plus a little extra room. Adjust according to your water bottle if desired. Cut a second panel with the same dimensions out of a lightweight cotton fabric. I used a secondhand dress shirt.
Step 3: Stitch Lining
Pin panels, right sides together, and stitch across the top edge with ¼” seam allowance. Press seam open.
Fold lengthwise, right sides together, and stitch the long seam.
Press seam, centering down the back of your work as shown.
Step 4: Finish ends
Sew across each end, leaving a 2-3” opening in the lining seam for turning. Create “box” corners by folding each corner into a point and stitching ¾” from the corner, perpendicular to the end seam.
Repeat for the remaining corners.
Step 5: Turn
Turn pouch right side out through the opening.
Fold in seam allowances and stitch lining opening closed. Push lining down inside the pouch, allowing 1/8” of the lining fabric to peek above the top edge of the outer pouch. Topstitch around the opening 1/4” from the edge.
Step 6: Attach strap
Measure and cut webbing for strap, about 36”. Fold back each end 1” and zigzag stitch.
Pin strap ends to inside edge at the sides of the pouch and stitch a square with an X inside for stability.
Betz White is a designer, author and "green" crafter who combines her whimsical color and design sense with a love for repurposing. Her first book, Warm Fuzzies, was published in Fall 2007. Her second book, Sewing Green, was released early 2009. Launched Summer 2009: Betz White Organic Fabrics! Betz puts her apparel industry background to good use designing an exciting new fabric line, printed on organics! Visit her website for details.
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