Cowboy Boot Purse

by kcli

27K6910

Intro: Cowboy Boot Purse

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.
  • Cut excess length from the belt.

STEP 4: Time to Fill With...

...moon pies?
...beef jerky?
...RC Cola?
...shot gun shells?

It's entirely up to you! 

Now that you've made one, make another to give away  :-D

9 Comments

darklotus 9 years ago

Clever and funky upcycling!

paulacole 9 years ago

Great instructions and a lovely gift. Thank you.

Happy New Year and make many wonderful things this year. Including money.

3366carlos 11 years ago

Kudos. You and your purse would look stylish here at Billy Bob's in Ft. Worth.

yellowcatt 11 years ago

Very nice design.
That is a really neat bit of up-cycling work.

kcli 11 years ago

Thanks. Boot uppers are just too pretty - even after the sole/heel is shoy.

Livingstrong 11 years ago

I see a Redneck-made Christmas present in my friend's future. Nice work and great idea for reuse.

Livingstrong

kcli 11 years ago

Excellent! Once you have your materials & tools, it takes very little time to create. Just be sure to use a boot upper that is flexible.

If you like the way it turns out, consider voting for me in all 3 contests (Reuse / Redneck / Holiday gifts). Thanks!

sunshiine 11 years ago

My daughter would love that purse! Your pictures are amazing!
sunshiine