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!

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.

put water bottle in pants and measure height

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 the pant leg to the height of the water bottle

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.

cut a circle to fit one side of the tube

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

pin the circle to the tube right sides together

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.

sew circle to tube and turn 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.