Two complete articles, with lots of ideas of recycling denim, complete on this page!
Recycling Denim Blue Jeans
by Jane Lake
Denim is a prime fabric for recycling, so don't throw away that outgrown pair of blue jeans - put the wonderful hard-wearing qualities of denim to use once more, in one or more of our inspiring denim recycling ideas.
Denim Rice Hot Pack
Use the leg from a pair of jeans to make a tube-shaped Rice Hot Pack - just fill with white rice and microwave until warm; these are great to ease muscular aches and pains, or to pre-warm the bed on a cold winter's night.
Denim Organizer
A free sewing pattern from Coats and Clark, this denim organizer uses recycled cut-off jean legs. The hem of the legs makes the top of the pockets, so there's no need to bind the edges.
Denim Lace-Trimmed Shorts
A new twist to cut-off shorts...simply cut down old jeans to shorts length and add lace to the new hem. Also consider adding lace to the top of the pockets, either with fabric glue or hand sewing. Instant flair and style for almost no cost!
Denim Capri Pants
Are your jeans too short to wear bare foot, or with your favorite shoes? Take advantage and shorten them some more...cut off at 3/4 length and make a pair of capri pants with a plain hem, or trimmed with lace at the bottom.
Denim Placemats
Use old jeans to make unique placemats...incorporate the pockets as part of the placemat to hold silverware in place.
Denim Pot Holders
Denim will stand up to the rigors of pot holder duty and look great in the kitchen. Line with fleece, quilt batting or even squares cut from old sweat shirts. Incorporate the pocket if you want to get fancy, or take advantage of those gold-thread seams.
Denim Wine Bags
Use the legs from blue jeans to make two wine bags...sew the bottom closed, and hem the top leaving an opening on one side, or both sides, to thread through a golden cord drawstring. Leave plain or embellish with lace, buttons, ribbon, or small silk flowers. Tres chic!
Denim Pencil Case:
Are you tired of your kids' pencil cases falling apart? Take advantage of the strength of denim and make a rectangular zippered bag large enough to store all the kid's pens and pencils.
New Uses for Old Denim
by Roxanna Ward
Recycle your used denim into homemade gifts. If your family is like mine, we live in denim. From denim jeans to denim skirts. We have plenty of denim in our house. With three children, we go through plenty of clothes. Two of these children being boys, many of these clothes are worn out before grown out of. So I found myself with a lawn and garden garbage bag full of no good denim. What is a frugal mother to do?
I'll tell you what I did. I rose to the challenge and went to work researching. I found there are so many uses for this denim, that I want more worn out clothes! Here are a few items you can make with denim scraps:
Denim Quilt: Cut the good parts of the denim clothing into four inch squares. Sew together to form a quilt. I did this and made a "rag" quilt. I sewed the quilt and left the denim seams on the outside of the quilt. Washed and dried for a little fraying and bam .. one Christmas gift was finished.
PURSE: Turn the jeans (I used shorts) to the inside and sew just below the bottom at the beginning of the legs. I sewed a few times for extra reinforcing. Sew on a strap using the waistband from another pair of jeans. Lace a belt or use ribbon through the beltloops to draw closed. I also put a strip of Velcro on the inside of mine to keep shut.
Denim Pillows: I made "butt" pillows for our van the same basic way the purse is made. Except you need to close the entire top with Velcro. Put a ready made pillow form in and you can unvelcro for easy cleaning. Just toss in the washer. I used an old pillow as the pillow form and had no cost at all for my pillows.
Denim Apron: Use a pair of overalls for this project. Cut the seams of the legs apart and then sew both of the front legs together and then both of the back legs together. Slip over you head for a great apron. You can also use as a great overall dress. Quick and easy.
So what are you waiting for? Go clean out your closets and see what you can make.
About the Author:
Roxanna Ward, Community leader and staff writer for http://www.BabyUniversity.com, lives in Georgia with her husband, Stan and her three children, Kirstie-Raie, Chase and Kale. As a published freelance writer and breastfeeding advocate, the focus of her writing is concentrated on sharing household tips, her experience with her frugal lifestyle which is compensated by being able to afford to be a stay-at-home mom, as well as the phenomenal process of breastfeeding, child rearing related issues and romantic relationships. She is also currently the Editor of three newsletters: What's New at BabyU?, Intimate Encounters and At Home with Baby University. Roxanna can be contacted at Roxanna30135@aol.com
This is from the Denim Recycling Queen of Hurricane Mills...I have been using jeans for reuse for years....they are so useful....I started out with pot holders and since have made ten quilts...I like the idea of using both right side and wrong side...also found out that you can use the seams by weaving them together and then stitching to hold....make rugs and placemats...have fun with jeans...
Jan Fridley – Ohio
April 28, 2008 - 10:10
I cut back pockets from jeans, trim with lace, add a ribbon for hanging,and fill with a small nylon net square of potpourri and some assorted dried flowers Makes a really cute wall accent. I have sometimes added novelty buttons, birds, or fabric paint designs to the front. Experiment and have fun. Isn't that what crafting is all about?
s. home
April 25, 2008 - 20:41
years ago I would get jeans from goodwill for a quarter and take them home and create all kinds of things from them and sell them till the store that carried them went out of business. Things like tote bags, hotpads and knotted comforts and aprons and christmas stockings . I would buy the homespun towels and take a pocket and sew it own with a design. you can make no sew curtains from whole pairs of jeans, by overlapping them like swag style. You can make baby bibs. Plastic bag holders and what ever your mind can create.
Arlene – Maine
April 14, 2008 - 08:16
These ideas are great. Thanks for sharing. I have been adding bits of demin to my seaside cottage and it goes perfectly with my theme.
Crimilda – Puerto Rico
April 14, 2008 - 07:38
Hello my name is Crimilda ,born and raised in N.O., La. and living now in P.R. Well from jeans I re- decorated my bathroom with valance, rug, toilet top cover, paper holder and even my towel decorated with strips of jeans.Every one says it looks great. Thanks for your ideas.
Robyn J – oregon
March 24, 2008 - 00:02
I have several pairs of my husbands work levis that have blown out would like to get rid of them to be put to good use. I am not really a quilter.
Reply to Robyn J
debbie – california
April 09, 2008 - 02:51
there are so many uses for old jeans. one of my favorites is to cut off the legs forming smallish tubes, depending on the size you want your bag, and make little make-up / pencil / shaving kit bags. these little bags are super easy, even if you insert a zipper on one end. good luck with your denim sewing.
william palmer – bossiercity
March 21, 2008 - 21:10
my name is bill and i make quilts out of my old jeans and hope yall well find this helpful
Lynda Arce – Philippines
March 10, 2008 - 02:18
Thanks for the ideas. Its so very creative and I too live on denims. I am sure going to make good used of my old denims which I usually give away. I do hope to send you pictures of my work once I have completed them.
Barbara D – Sandy Hook NJ
March 06, 2008 - 23:47
Any suggestions on how to make demin ribbon or trim?? Do I have to cut on a bias, and, if so, what is the best way to cut to accomplish this w/ a pair of jeans??
I've been trying to find demim trim for my curtains and can't find it anywhere. So I think that making it might be the best way.
Easy denim quilting projects using new denim or old jeans to make something totally different, for quilters of all skill levels.
How to make unique home and fashion items from new and used denim! Step by step how-to's with photos for a many different projects such as purses, pillows, frames, bags and containers.
Denim Organizer
Denim Lace-Trimmed Shorts
