My dog loves to chew and rip fabric, so I cut strips off of discarded jeans and tie knots in them -- voila! Instant chew toys.
Twenty-five Things to Do With Old Jeans
Photo: AZ~Kate / Flickr
Recycling fabric is a powerful green living and cost saving strategy. Denim is one of the coolest fabrics to do it with. It's sturdy, gains character with age and can be acquired very inexpensively at yard sales or in your own "old clothes" closet. Some of the coolest ideas I've found? (See also: 16 Ways to Make Your Clothes Last Longer)
1. Pot holders. In my opinion, these look far better out of used denim than the new stuff. And you can incorporate your own style via choice of trim or a patch stitched to the outside. Here's a link to some tips for making your own.
2. Cool quilts. You can do this in many forms. Different shades of denim patchwork options abound and are certainly sturdy and fun. Unfortunately, one of the coolest ideas I've ever seen I've been unable to find pictures of. It was done with pieced denim, but they had left on all the details like pockets, buttons, belt loops, etc. It made for a really fabulous unique quilt with a lot of attitude. If anyone has a link to a picture of one of these, please post below in the comments section.
3. Hanging sleeves for storing plastic bags and cleaning rags. This is an idea I came up when trying to find a workable solution for giving up paper towels. I needed something convenient to store my cleaning rags in and made several out of the legs of old blue jeans.
4. Pocket books and backpacks. These are tons of fun as beach bags and particularly popular with the younger crowd. Easily jazzed up with pins various bits of clip on "flair". Here are one and two separate links for various sets of project directions.
5. Patches. If you happen to have a bunch from different events, great. Otherwise, I've seen some really unique custom patches you can make yourself that add tons of style. I personally like the make your own option, because it opens up many more possibilities for self expression and designer style.
6. Embellishments. Sometimes bead stores offer classes on "jazzing up jeans" where they will teach you how to add studs, crystals and various beads as well as other items. Lots of room for individuality with this option as well.
7. Pimp the heck out of them. Options abound here. Pimp My Jeans is a great site to look for inspiration when jazzing up old jeans. They also have a great idea pictured there for a way hip fabric grocery bag of pieced together old denim. You'll be strolling to your favorite New York grocery in style with that one. Here is an additional link for airbrushing designs on your denim. My favorite though, is this way cool how to video from Threadbanger that shows you how to get a vintage tint as well as providing some easy fabric distressing techniques. Really, really cool.
8. Embrace the frayed edges and go hip with some slamming shoes and a great bag. I don't know how many times I've seen fashion experts give this same advice on TV. What's funny though is I seem to notice more people with money trying it out than people who are supposedly on a budget. It's a very cool look to have a faded set of jeans with a few rips and tears paired with a newer sweater and some dressy shoes or boots.
9. Help dress a scarecrow. Fairly timely, considering the season.
10. Make a 3-pocket electric gadget protector. I found this set of directions on Instructables. Love that site! Looks like a cool addition for a daypack or purse.
11. Journal, photo album and school book covers. Say what? I found this neat online project for a jean-covered journal held closed with a funky belt. Really fun. Tried to snag a pic and give them credit, but they preferred to keep everything in house. You can see pictures of the completed project on the Craft At Home site, though.
12. Hot or cold rice pack. I've always just dumped my rice in an old pillow case and tied a knot in the top. But these rice packs look cute, if you have the extra time. The one pictured got me thinking about all those old floral jeans from the eighties getting a new life, but really, any kind of old denim will do.
13. Turn pieces of them into a jacket. Here's a project I found for a crazy quilt-style jacket. This is very similar to the type of quilt I mentioned above. Lots of room here to do your own thing.
14. A little too out there? Try out this waist coat made from recycled denim. I can really see it with a crisp white shirt. Actually, it looks like a big vest to me, but what do I know about waist coats? Either way, it's pretty cool.
15. Sassy, rough edged skirt with urban style. I like this jean skirt because it's really a bit out of the ordinary and has tons of attitude.. A bit of trouble snagging a pic of this one, but you can see it on the link.
16. A wheelchair tote. This is too cool. Know someone who could use one to stay organized? Here are instructions on how to make a wheelchair tote.
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17. Coffee cozies. Love these! As with some of the other projects, you can really put your own spin on them. I found several blog posts on doing your own. This first one is quite similar to the one pictured below. The second? Slightly different with a button closure. Still cute though. If I had my sewing machine out of storage, I'd seriously be looking into making a few of these for Christmas package tuck-ins.
18. Custom camera bag. Here's a set of directions for a denim camera bag. Personal verdict? Pretty neat idea.
19. Unusual covered gift box. I thought this one was particularly out of the norm. Should make a fun package for a teen present, don't you think? Here's a link.
20. Reusable lunch sack. This one was decorated with primary colored embellishments because it was designed for children. But I think you could be as individual here as with some of the jazz-up-your-jeans ideas listed above (patches, airbrushing, crystals). It's made from a pant leg. How cool!
21. Picture frame. Not the most formal project idea ever, but a fun idea that would be great for a teen room bulletin board . It's a photo frame made from a jeans pocket.
22. Blue jean table. Pretty darned unusual, I must say. This is another item that is shown with more of a children's room look. But I think you could pull this off with leather accents in a wild west art gallery or with silver studs and tears for a more urban feel. A bit quirky, but if you like that sort of thing...
23. Christmas stockings. Here's a set of directions for making stockings out of old blue jeans (PDF). Use whatever trim and lining ideas you want. Definitely not for those Victorian style holiday planners.
24. Knee pads for gardening. Here's a set of directions for knee pads. You might need to use an old denim skirt or jumper for this one, but I still think it has merit, if you happen to have the time.
25. Beer cozies. Check out this homemade deep pocket cold beverage cozy. There aren't detailed directions, but there are pictures from several angles. So if you sew, you can probably get the idea.
That's about it. A few of these ideas I think would be easier with old denim jumpers or skirts than blue jeans, but since they all involved the same basic topic, I opted to include them. If you know of a fabulous recycled denim idea, please post so the rest of us can enjoy.
Additional photo credits: sunshinecity / Flickr, Irina Slutsky / Flickr
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HHAAHAHA. I do the samething!!! They make great chews for puppies. I strip alot of jeans to crochet shag rugs.
be very careful of fraying bits that your pooch might ingest... we lost our dog because of a bowel obstruction caused by swallowing small amounts of fabric strings
That's really cool. A green version of those knotted ropes they sell in the pet aisles. Thanks for the tip!
those knotted chew toys can break off and be ingested ... we lost a dog because of this. please be careful of frayed bits!
What is your problem??? Some people might have heaps of pairs of jeans and want to use them instead of throwing them out!! Jeez...
I guess I probably didn't make it clear, but it wasn't my expectation that you would actually make twenty-five things from one pair of jeans. The idea is that you pick your faves. These twenty five were simply the top ones (in my opinion) out the hundred or so I ran across when researching this. Have fun, and thanks for taking the time to post.
Well, I'm glad Myscha edited the article from its original title: 4,157 Things to Do with Old Jeans. Be thankful, especially if you think 25 is too many.
I think I love you. Too funny!!!
I really had fun doing this one. Did you catch that cool video from Threadbanger? I have a pair of jeans from my around the world trip that I think I'm going to try their ideas with. I already picked up my sandpaper!
Coco Puffs, what is your problem??? Do you have nothing better to do than comment on everything??? If you hate this site so much than why are you on it, nonetheless reading all of the comments.... i think you are the one who needs to get a life, my friend. These are great ideas to save money and make some cool stuff! thanks!
I love the video! I never thought of doing that with coffee, but I use the sandpaper trick all the time. I think it was something I saw on a Levi's commercial once. :)
I have a denim quilt that I used the pockets on. When I get a new camera I will have to post the picture for you. It fits a king and I still had denim left over. It is also very heavy.
I really like the the belt loops idea, I'll have to try it on the next one.
I made quilts for my grandchildren using their old jeans, pockets included, and flannel. The youngest one likes to keep his smaller stuffed animals in the pockets. He thinks they stay warm in there. Just the heads are peeking out and they get to sleep in their own cozy spot. He said they're comfortable in the pockets just like he's comfortable under the quilt.
I love it!
Right now I'm using old quilt fabric to do some sweet spiral patching up the side of an old pair. They're quite hot now! :-)
I'll have to remember these for when they break down again.
I have a friend whose mother made a huge circular outdoor blanket with something like a dozen blue jeans. It is great to sit on and big enough (probably about 10 feet in diameter) to share with friends. Very unique and fun!
Question for Myscha (or anyone)
How in the world do you wash a quilt made of denim patches? I think it's a great idea, but I know how much of a burden it is on my washing machine when I'm just watching a few pairs of jeans so I can only imagine what it would do to wash the quilt!
maybe you should think about washing the jeans first and then putting the quilt together and useing the quilt as a decoration instead of sleeping with it, DUH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good question. For larger items of substance, I wait until I have a few and then swing by a laundro-mat when I'm in civilization. They have those huge industrial sized machines for washing and drying.
One thing I've noticed about some of the heavier denim quilts . . . they are not necessarily assembled with a middle layer of stuffing. Often, it is the top layer (which is quite heavy in its own right) and then a backing such as flannel or an old sheet. Tacking is done wherever the quilter feels appropriate for stability.
If the professional laundering is not something you want to spend family funds on, I've read of several techniques for old heirloom quilts that might work for you. A couple off the top of my head would be the spot cleaning thing and also soaking / swishing them in a bathtub of sudsy water. Then draining, folding and squishing to release as much water as you can and possibly follow up with some towel blotting. Then I've read more than once that delicate quilts are often dried on the lawn or in tall field grass for ventilation and support. This was to prevent unnecessary strain on delicate antique fabrics if you were to have hung them on the line. In this case though, I think it might be more for the benefit of saving your clothesline from collapse as these things are darned heavy.
Hope this helps.
The spiral patching and circular lawn quilt ideas sound marvy. Keep those ideas coming, guys!
One thing I thought of last night for wearing with the ultra ripped up and shredded jeans is leggings. I always take a pair traveling, and this would be stylish and help cut down on luggage when you are trying to stick to the one bag thing. I've seen guys on the road do this too. Instead of fashion leggings, many of them use the running stretch pants. It's extra warmth if decide to go up into the mountains, and ensures you have work out gear without having to pack lots extra.
Have a good day, everybody!
If your not going to do somthing to reuse them then why not donate them instead of adding more trash to the enviornment.
Anyway
I love the pimp my jeans website. SO cute!
Thanks for the link and the kind words about my coffee and beer cozies.
I blog about denim related projects frequently, and sell denim wallets, cozies, and wallet chains on my Etsy page. I use scraps from high end jeans, so it's mostly selvage denim from older shuttle looms.
I also just started making denim iPhone cases!
I think a cool thing to build out of hashed jeans would be a cover for a 3-ring binder. I'm from AZ, so I would put the AZ flag on the front, in different tones, but all blue. It's simple enough as a design, but I don't sew much and I don't know what's required as far as a machine for sewing through denim. It's just an idea at this point, and I am saving my jeans.
I did make a backpacking stove stuffsack, that was padded and perfectly sized. Used all recycled materials, including a pillowcase portion for the inner lining and a shoelace for the drawstring. Plus the patch for variety. Still using it!
Some lovely ideas there and I was just going to bin those old jeans, silly. Time to try the beer cooler one
Coco & puffs, do you seriously need to comment such mean things? You are being ridiculus! Maybe you don't appreciate these kind of things, but other people do and you're just being a complete jerk. You are the one that needs to get a life. Please take my words into consideration because you could really benfit from them.
I have about a dozen pair saved up. was thinking of selling themm on ebay as destroyed jeans. $10 per pair plus shipping. anybody want them?
sorry, I wouldn't pay that much for used jeans, not when I could get them for a buck at a yard sale or just a couple bucks at the goodwill. Lately I have been getting donations from friends when I told them about all my ideas.
An online Mommy friend of mine 5 years ago when our sons were babies used the upper parts of the back side of jeans, down to just below the back pockets...so from top to just below the pockets, then from just in front of each side seam and used a rod run through the belt loops. These were so cute in a boy's room, but I could see them for others. I would say to cut them then run them through the wash to ease the cut edge so it looked more like the rest...or you could hem the bottom if you wanted a cleaner look.
And reading one of your other ideas, an idea popped into my head that I thought was where you were going with it. Again, use the back sides of the pants and sew in rows, say two pairs, so four pockets wide, then maybe four or five of those rows together, waistband sewn to upper leg/bum lol area. Then it would be like those multi pocket over the door storage thingies, but COOL looking, not cheesy. You could add grommets at the top waistband for the hooks.
It's so nice to see that I'm not the only person who saves everything. I abhor waste and although I have yet to make much of the things I have planned, I still have the materials rather than toss them into the Mt. Everest of garbage. Oh and my original plan for keeping my old jeans has been exactly for the quilt idea!! I'll be using all of the details as well, such as the pockets and loops, etc. I've also kept nearly every pair of khakis and every polo shirt to make another one...polos on one side and khakis on the other. ;o)
Great article Myscha!!
Susan
That's a precious idea, Susan! So is the over the door organizer thing with grommets. Sounds like you have all sorts of creative projects started. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to comment!
=) In England, a vest is what we Americans call an undershirt, and a waistcoat is what we call a vest. So you're right, too! These are great ideas. I love the idea of a denim quilt. I was just talking to someone today about using toddler jeans to make purses.
Sry i think im saying this to the wrong person, but can coco puffs shut up, if you hate this site then y dont you do something else!!!! you dont have to be an ass a start saying your bs... ur such a loser for doing tht, srly, stop visiting the site if you hate it so much u moron.
I love this site, ive done all of these things to my jeans, and everyone loves the ideas, thx for the extras ^^
Thanks! I figured either way it looked like a cool project, but had no idea about the difference. Thanks for chiming in with the answer.
cool that u made the bag out of jeans i have seen he same thing but it was just paper trying to emulate that
I was really thrilled to see most of what I do with old jeans NOT on here. And some not very exactly. Is it possible I may have had some original ideas???! Shocking! I live for those salvation army bag sales to get all mine -- jeans, not ideas. Anyway, great info! Thanks!
Apparently so, on the original ideas topic. Good for you. Would love to see some of them, if you'd like to contribute via a guest interview / feature on green living article. Happy sewing!
just thought i should say,www.niclexis.com has the same exact page as this, they just shortened it to 15 things. I think you should check them out..........
You're right, guest. It looks like most of the wording was taken practically verbatim from this post with no credit directed back. Thanks again.
O wow!! This is totally cool....seeing that I cant fit into MANY of my jeans since I had my little bub. lol :P
I love some of these ideas. I think I will try the patchwork on an old sweatshirt that feels good but is too paint stained to wear in public. Could even use metallic threads to stitch the patches on. Might be a great jacket.
There is a flickr group called Denim Surgery...Reuse, Recycle etc. that has some nice things made from Denim.
Wow, nice post! Nice to see a bunch of things consolidated into one handy list, and a number of ideas (useful ones) I hadn't seen before.
I've been working a lot with tie-dyed denim lately. I just made a really fun yoga bag out of my kids' jeans because I needed one and didn't feel like spending $45 to get one! Check it out in my blog at http://blog.amethistle.com/2008/04/mom-where-are-my-pants.html
I've also been doing a different version of simple pet toys: http://blog.amethistle.com/2008/03/recycling-and-dog-toys.html
Hope you like them, and keep these great articles coming!
I appreciate your stopping by. Those are some seriously adorable projects. Thanks for sharing them with everyone.
I absolutely love your "25 things list" and suggest you sell them on ETSY.com -- I'd buy the gift bag idea. Incidentally, ETSY is a fabulous alternative to eBay. ETSY is like eBay in that lots of sellers come together to sell their wares, but they specialize in hand made items.
These days sellers are getting out of eBay. We closed our eBay listings May 18, 2008 because they ruined our perfect 100% feedback score by counting neutrals as negatives. We're selling with Amazon and encouraging artists to join up with ETSY. Anyway, I've bought a number of items on ETSY and look forward to all you creative types getting on with them so I can buy your wares! ETSY is wonderful.
Best wishes,
M.C. Nygard
I actually got introduced to Etsy by one of the bloggers here on Wise Bread. There are some cool things there, including a source for unscented solid conditioning bars for travel hounds.
Thanks for stopping by.
I was searching for uses for used denim because our RV club makes quilts from old jeans and I stumbled upon your page. You said you'd like to see a quilt made from old denim so I set our club's page as my homepage. Click on "Charities" then "Quilts For CHEO".
You should also look at the link "CHEO Thanks"
The two ladies in front are the driving force for the quilts, the one on the left is the woman with the idea and the obsession for continuing. We make the quilts for CHEO Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. We started a few years ago doing lap quits for seniors and branched into baby blankets for the infants in CHEO.
One of our members spoke to a representative of the hospital and was told that "the older kids are the ones that are missed in the hospital when it comes to receiving charitable gifts." She was told "if there is anything the group could do for them, it would be great". Our member came up with the idea of using recycled jeans. We have made and donated nearly 800 jean quilts using around 7000 pairs of jeans. Kids that are in the hospital have come to expect the quilts and even to the point they ask about them wondering if they will be lucky enough to get one.. The popularity is due to the pockets and so on being left intact. Unique patches with the jean makers name and so on integrated into the quilts.If the pics on our clubs website are not what you're looking for then let me know and I will send a couple of photos.
Harlow....
Those are awesome! Thanks so much for sharing the page, the pictures and for doing something so wonderful for those kids.
Wonderful ideas. I have a small stool that I covered with the leg of a pair of jeans -- the seam goes diagonally across the (square)seat.
You can use denim to make a tube for under the door -- a draft dodger. Fill with sand or fiberfill. I've done this with denim, but not from jeans; however, I don't see why jeans wouldn't work.
I just asked for and got a bunch of unwearable old jeans on Freecycle. They are very long, and I'm hoping to seam them in vertical stripes to cover a padded headboard. If it doesn't work, at least I have a bunch of other ideas now! Thank you!
Bonita
Hello from Switzerland
I just saw this site with many interesting ideas, what to do with old jeans. I just want to add, that beside all this possibilities there exists also a crazy litte Jeansmuseum in the heart of Europe, which collects vintage denim items older then 1980, but also non vintage raw or extremely worn out denim items, no matter how ugly, just too dirty, stained or whatever for any other use. Those really bad looking items with endless stories in them reflect a long part of the owners life. The jeansmuseum is a possibility for hard worn out denim rag items or real old vintage stuff, where they can retire in a safe place for ever. This Jeansmuseum can also be used for people, who have a very high emotional connection to their beloved jeans or denim jacket and don't want to just dump them or cut them in pieces for some other denim projects.
So if anybody wants to keep alive his denim stuff for ever, feel free to contact me at any time.
Ruedi Karrer
www.jeansmuseum.org (german only)
rkarrer@jeansmuseum.org
Founded in 1973 in a little Swiss mountain village, over 10'000 jeans and denim jackets so far. The Jeansmuseum is 100 percent non commercial and is free of any governmental funds. The little museum is open to the public 2-3 times each month on request.
Hi
Thanks for the nice posting about my jackets and the link! I found you thru TipNut and will certainly come back to see what other goodies you have.
Cheers
Mary Anne
I wish I had these ideas last week. I just thru out a pair of my GS's jean shorts he ripped in such a way they couldn't be mended.
I took a leg of a pair of jeans and made a draft stopper for my door. I cut a piece as long and wide as I needed leaving 1/4 inch for sewing. I used cat litter for the "stuffing". Nice weight to hold it in place.
ciao.
I have see in your blog very very beautiful idea for recycled jeans..
many thanks
ciao
ciao
anna paola Italy
I LOVE jeans. All of my friends are in shock when I don't wear them- I don't think there is a day for the past 2 years I haven't worn jeans. (or jean shorts, and occasionally a jean skirt)
So anyway, I was looking for something cool and off-beat to do for my visual arts class homework- and I decided to make a purse out of my old jeans that are too short. Originally I was going to make a backpack but 14 slim jeans don't have a big enough seat to make a backpack that can actually hold things.
Thanks for these cool ideas!!!
One of my younger friends, Ayanna, asked me to make her a purse too! She gave my a pair of really cute old jeans, with little embellishments on the back pockets, and I am really excited to actually make them into a purse for her!!!
Peace out-
Liv
Well, I'm no expert, but I don't see any reason why regular braided rug instructions wouldn't work. It's just a slightly lighter version fabric. Good luck.
I use old blue jean tops and attach a handmade patchwork skirt for a cute little skirt my daughters love. I have a website with some of them along with other patchwork garments all made from recycled materials. Feel free to take a look. www.colorfullygreen.com Thanks.
I, like everyone, also had a pair of jeans and was about to throw them away until the LIGHTBULB went on in my head.
I cut the the zipper, including the button, out of the jeans. Then set the lenght according to my wrist, then made a whole where the button meets the rest of the zipper. And now it works and a wrist band or so. I'll put some pikshures up in my page.
this is a fabulously creative list of cool projects! I love it. -- my book "Denim Revolution" and my blog has lots more creative hip ways to re-make your jeans into high fashion looks.
http://21centurydressmakers.blogspot.com
I make purses and all kinds of things from old jeans. Never waiste a thing on them. I have so many ideas floating around now I can't think straight. Have to go to the church to baby sit right now, but I will definitely be back. Love this!
Judy49.etsy.com
Glad to add to your repertoire. Hope you find the time to stop back and post some of the cool projects you have come up with on your own as well.
I have been challenged by some online sewing friends to recycle something old into somethign new.
I've been looking in Op shops for something to inspire me but so far no luck.
I was about to chuck out my husbands raggedy old pair when I just had a brain wave that I could try to make something out of them! Thank goodness I found this page and found so many good ideas.
I think I'll have enough to make a bag (I have made lots of bags from new fabric before so it should be a piece of cake) and cos they were his jeans, I'll make him a stubbie holder. he will love that :)
Cheers!
Amanda
i think it would be really fun to make thong underwear from old bluejeans. i'm talking about a straight-up denim banana hammock. What do you think?
Great ideas!!
We used to wear our jeans until they were unwearable and unusable for most projects.
So they became crocheted rugs.
Simple.
Carefully cut off the seams, waistband, fly and pockets.
That leaves you with four long pieces of denim.
Tear or cut those into 3/4in. strips.
You can do that individually or daisy-chain them by not cutting through at the end of each strip.
Sew the strips together, end to end, and roll them all into balls.
With a Size K hook, using just single crochet, you can work back and forth making rows or design squares, rectangles, rounds. Alternate colors or add in strips made from old curtains or sheets.
I takes about 8 pair of old jeans to make a good sized doormat.
Practically indestructible.
And you can wash them in oversize washers at the laundromat.
Now that's a fantastic idea, Kate! Thanks for sharing.
Check out my various projects and services at Itinerant Tightwad. I also have a monthly education newsletter.
I had a pair of jeans and i made a bag with two handles and I use it for my purse now. I am starting to make a wallet.
