Upcycled DIY Water Bottle Holder

Learn how to make a DIY water bottle holder by upcycling a pair of pants. Reuse the hem for quicker sewing for this easy, summer sewing project!

We’ve been enjoying the outdoors a lot lately by hiking and exploring. As parents we’ve always carried our water for our kids, but sometimes it’s good for them to carry their own water.

Since I cut a lot of pants into shorts, I have a lot of extra pant legs to use. I used those tubes of fabric with a hem on one side to make DIY water bottle holders for their reusable water bottles. It’s really fast to sew, and my kids love being in charge of their water!

My kids are so excited to carry their own water. I did the strap length so that it can crossover their body. I thinks it’s an easier way to carry it.

I did regular woven straps which wouldn’t be comfortable for long hikes, but then we would be carrying their water. You can always add a soft, padded strap instead.

Some of the pants legs are the perfect fitted size for our water bottles, and some were a little bit wider. The wider ones are great for adding a couple of snacks on the side, and then carrying the trash!

what is upcycling?

Upcycling is to reuse material to create something better than the original. I usually use this to describe when I’m sewing adult clothing into clothing for children or I’m sewing clothing into an accessory or house item.

Upcycling saves time, saves money, saves the environment, and saves memories.

Save time by reusing details from the original shirt. Save money by using something you already have.

Save the environment by keeping t-shirts out of the landfill. Save memories by reusing a favorite adult t-shirt for your toddler or child.

Do you love upcycling jeans? Check out these fun projects!

• Sewing projects for kids
• Ideas to upcycle jeans

Upcycled DIY Water Bottle Holder

supplies

• jean or pant legs
• scraps of canvas or denim
• 1 yard of a woven strap OR make your own 1 yard soft, padded strap
• water bottle (for measuring)
• sewing tools
• sewing machine

Slide the water bottle into the pant leg through the hemmed side to measure. Mark the height of the water bottle.

Cut your pant legs the height you want. I wanted the water bottles to be all the way in without poking out the top for security.

Cut circles out of canvas or denim for the bottom of the water bottle holder. I usually just hold up the pant leg over a wide ruler and guess the diameter of the circle. It’s usually close enough to work.

With right sides together pin the circle to the raw side of the pant leg.

Sew around the circle with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. Finish the raw edges with a serger or a zigzag.

Turn the water bottle holder right side out.

Cut a piece of strap that is 36 inches long. This is a good length for 4 to 8 year olds.

You can also measure your child to find the perfect length. Measure from side hip, up over the opposite shoulder, and back down to where to started. Add 1.5 inches to each side for seam allowances.

Fold one short end over 1/2 inch and place along the top of the holder near the hem. Pin in place. Take the other end of the strap and pin it to the opposite side of the holder in the same way.

Sew around the bottom of the strap in a square first and then an “X” through the middle. Do the same to the other side.

Place the water bottles inside, and you finished!

If you make something using this sewing project, I’d love to see! Please share it on social media with the hashtag #heatherhandmade and tag me!