Thursday, 3 November 2016

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Gifts from Denim Jeans

Denim Jeans Fabric Basket

Denim jeans - we all wear them, from toddlers to adults. The styles and colours may vary, but they've been a fashion statement since the 60s. Whether they be work clothes or dress jeans, eventually the denim will give. You repair them once, maybe several more times, but sooner or later they'll leave the wardrobe and head to the repurposing pile.



If you're like me, you'll have a HUGE stash of jeans just waiting to be made into something else. With Christmas fast approaching, now's the time to raid the pile and cross another present off the list.

Today's challenge - Challenge #2
Take an old pair of jeans and turn them into a Christmas gift. Vicky, from Vicky Myers Creations, sets the challenge...



I have lots of ideas for today's challenge, starting with Denim Jeans Fabric Baskets. Utilising part of the leg from a pair of jeans, they're very quick to make. However, being a thick material, denim is not always the easiest fabric to sew. If you've never sewn denim before, read my Tips for Successfully Sewing with Denim.


One year I made jeans baskets lined with Christmas fabric, and filled them with wrapped lollies.


The photo above shows my first ever denim fabric basket. The tutorial I wrote while making this basket can be altered to make different sizes. Simply choose leg sizes to suit and change the length the leg is cut to, as well as adjusting the width of the boxed corners.

I kept this small one for myself. It sits within easy reach when I'm at my sewing machine. Filled with sewing accessories, I think it would make a great little gift for someone who sews.


My eldest son ended up with a jeans basket lined with one of his old shirts one Christmas. I can't remember what I filled the basket with, but I can recall a notebook. Perhaps there were other stationery items as well, or maybe toiletries. Men are much harder to find knick knack gifts for - I find it harder, anyway. What would you put in a basket for a male?


And this years first denim jeans basket is filled with girlie lotions and potions - soaps, nail polish, moisturisers, etc. As with previous baskets, it's made using my Denim Fabric Basket Tutorial.

I've purchased the hardware needed to make a cross body bag for Christmas, too. The jeans are ready - now to find the time!

Check out the following denim gift ideas - all with full tutorials...

Sashiko Denim Tote Bag ~ Tutorial by Vicky, from Vicky Myers Creations


Water Bottle Carrier ~ Tutorial by Jill, from Creating My Way to Success


Woven Denim Basket ~ Tutorial by Ama, from OhOh Blog


Noughts & Crosses (Tic Tac Toe) Game ~ Tutorial by Jill, from Creating My Way to Success


Denim Jeans Tablet Case ~ Tutorial by Vicky, from Vicky Myers Creations


Denim Storage Boxes ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue


Denim Tote Bag ~ Tutorial by Vicky, from Vicky Myers Creations


Clothes Pin Bag (Peg Bag) ~ Tutorial by Jill from Creating My Way to Success


Recycled Jeans Needle Case ~ Tutorial by Marisa from Passion et Couture


For more denim jeans gift sewing, have a look at...




Now it's over to you. What ideas do you have to repurpose jeans into Christmas gifts? The link party will remain open till Christmas.



The 12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges is brought to you by...






On 18th November, I'll be adding my Denim Jeans Christmas Basket to the monthly Ho Ho Ho and On We Sew Link Party. Don't forget to add your Christmas / holiday makes, too.

... Pam


11 comments:

  1. vicky myers3 November 2016 at 17:18

    I love your denim baskets Pam - I have a selection on my sewing room windowsill full of random items, fabric scraps, empty cotton reels... Thanks for including so many of my denim projects:)

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  2. Celtic Thistle3 November 2016 at 18:34

    Lots of great projects there Pam. I really like the denim storage boxes they would look great in a boys room.

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  3. Sandra :)4 November 2016 at 01:07

    One year I took my kids' worn out work jeans and made bibs for their 2nd cousins :) I knew the mom and dad would appreciate the meaning behind the upcycle, and they did :)

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  4. Missy Shay4 November 2016 at 01:33

    Lots of great ideas, thank you!

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  5. Claire4 November 2016 at 06:18

    Love denim crafts. I think the noughts and crosses is my fav. Thank you for featuring my denim boxes.

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  6. Jill4 November 2016 at 13:04

    I've made quite a few of these jean leg baskets now - they're so easy and quick to make, look great and are very useful!! Great idea to give them as a 'gift basket'!! I might just do that myself - thanks for the inspiration Pam! And thanks for including my projects here too! :)

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  7. Upcyclelina4 November 2016 at 16:16

    That basket is so great, it's simple, looks good and can be used to hold many different things.

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    Replies
    1. Pam @Threading My Way4 November 2016 at 23:27

      Thanks so much. There's no end to the knick knacks that those baskets will hold.

      Delete
  8. Coombe Mill - Fiona20 November 2016 at 10:48

    This makes me wish I could sew, I love all the ideas here and will feel guilty now if I throw out a pair of jeans. Your little Jeans leg baskets are really very cute and a great gift idea.

    Thanks for joining me for Trash2Treasure

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  9. Mary K.3 December 2016 at 05:07

    These are all so adorable, one is cuter than the next. And everyone has denim at home, right. All great gift ideas.

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    Replies
    1. Pam @Threading My Way3 December 2016 at 21:27

      Where would we be without our denim jeans. Thanks, Mary.

      Delete

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