They say you are a redneck if you have more cowboy boots than sneakers. So what are you called you if you make a gift from a cowboy boot? ...strange? ...odd? ...peculiar?

I found a used pair of cowboy boots in a free box that were too pretty to pass up. While the size was wrong and the sole was shot, the upper leather section was still in great shape. I snagged them knowing someday I'd find a great way to repurpose them.

With the addition of a matching belt and two links from a broken chain, a purse is born!

Step 1: Prepare the Upper Section of the Leather

Cut off the bottom portion of the boot where the shoe section begins.

Working with the plyable upper section, turn the the leather inside out so the decorative section is facing inward.

Flatten the upper leather section so curve of the machine seams/boot straps are on the side.

Draw a straight line 3/4" across the cut section of the boot.

Starting 3/4" from the end, mark the straight line at 1/4" intervals.

Place a wooden shim under the leather and clamp another along the line so it acts as a straight edge.

Drill through both pieces of leather until penetrating the bottom shim.

Carefully remove the bottom wooden shim and keep the clamps attached to the upper shim so the drilled holes remain aligned.

Step 2: Stitch the Body

Cut about 24" of fishing line, thread into a large eye needle, knot both ends together.
Starting at either end, secure the fishing line in the hole that is located 3/4" from the end.
Using a running stitch (in-n-out-n-in-n-out), stitch until you reach the end of the drilled holes. Turn over and stitch to the other end. Securely knot the last stitch. Remove the clamps/shim.
Draw a diagonal line from the first/last stitch, 3/4" toward the machine stitched line (away from the cut end). Again, clamp the wooden shims and drill 3 holes (apx 1/4" apart) on the diagonal line.
Remove wooden shims and clamps, stitch the diagonally drilled holes together.

Trim the leather close to the diagonal stitching.

Turn the boot upper so the decorative stitching is facing outward.

Step 3: Attach the Belt/Purse Strap

Twist two links off of a chain.

Slip one link around the boot strap and close the link. Repeat on other side.

Remove the buckle from a belt by carefully cutting away the stitching.

Place the buckle section directly around the link and using the existing holes, stitch the belt strap into place.

Slip the other end of the belt around the other link.

Determine how long the purse strap should be and again, place a piece of wood behind the strap and drill holes through both sections of leather to create aligned holes. Stitch into place.