Tuesday 28 May 2019

30+ Projects to Refashion, Upcycle & Repurpose Denim Jeans

For Mothers Day, my daughter bought me a gorgeous denim tote bag - repurposed from a pair of jeans. This got me thinking about my own stash of pre-loved denim jeans. Some time ago I culled the ever-growing pile, giving over half to an Op Shop. However, I still have a whole tub full left.

What to do with old denim jeans. Ideas and tutorials to repurpose, refashion, upcyle and reuse - Threading My Way.

And so I headed to the Denim Refashioning link party, here at Threading My Way for ideas as to what to do with them. Here are 39 of my favourite denim jeans refashioning, repurposing and upcycling ideas and tutorials.

Before you head off to look at these ever so creative ideas, check out the following resources for sewing with denim. It's a thick and sturdy fabric - not always the easiest to sew - and as such, requires special consideration when putting denim through your machine...
  • ALWAYS use a denim or jeans needle
  • Reduce bulk where possible
  • Go slowly
More detailed tips and hints...


IKEA Hack - Upcycled Denim Chair ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue


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


Denim Overalls to Twirl Dress ~Tutorial by Denise, from DIY Crush


Denim Peg Bag ~ Tutorial by Libby, from Libby's Lifestyle


Lined Denim Jeans Drawstring Bag ~ Tutorial by Pam, from Threading My Way


Upcycle Jeans to Twirly Skirt ~ Tutorial by Shelley, from Shelley Made


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


How to Turn Jeans into a Summer Skirt ~ Tutorial by Linda, from Sewing Bee Fabrics


Denim Toddler Play Bag ~ Tutorial by Vicky, from Vicky Myers Creations


Denim Jeans Fabric Baskets ~ Tutorial by Pam, from Threading My Way


Denim Patchwork Skirt ~ Tutorial by Jill, from Creating My Way to Success


Super Simple Coasters from Jeans ~ Tutorial by Joy, from Joy's Jots, Shots & Whatnots


Woven Denim Jeans Basket ~ Tutorial by Amaryllis, from Ohoh Deco 


Upcycled Denim Chevron Rug ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue


Jeans Doorstop with Handle ~ Tutorial by Vicky, from Vicky Myer's Creations


Jeans Pocket Cushion ~ Tutorial by Pam, from Threading My Way


Jean Yarn to Coasters ~ Tutorial by Agy, from Agy Textile Artist


Scandinavian Woven Hearts Garland ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue


Jeans Pocket Potholders ~ Tutorial by Jill, from Creating My Way to Success


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


Textile Cuff using Denim Jeans ~ Tutorial by Marisa, from Passion et Couture


Denim Gift Tags ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue


Denim Wine Bottle Gift Bag ~ Tutorial by Pam, from Threading My Way


Upcycled Denim Jeans Triangle Bag ~ Tutorial by Jill, from Creating My Way to Success


Denim Prairie Apron ~ Tutorial by Kathy, from Kataline Jewelry


Denim Shibori Dyed Pencil Cases ~ Tutorial by Vicky, from Vicky Myers Creations


Denim Jeans Pocket Tote Bag ~ Tutorial by Pam, from Threading My Way


Upcycled Denim Jeans Dog Toys ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue


Twenty eight different things to make with pre-loved denim jeans - such a wide variety of items, and all with tutorials to step you through the process.

You'll notice a few tutorials linked above from Pillar Box Blue and Vicky Myers Creations. I couldn't possibly include all their denim jeans tutorials - there's way too many. Put both blogs on your must read list if you are thinking about re-using denim jeans.

Another good site is Denim Do Over. Although new ideas are no longer added, Susan has curated links to many, many creative jeans upcycling how to's. 

If that's not enough inspiration for upcycling and repurposing your old jeans, here are some more ideas - pictures and links for inspiration. No tutorials, but great as starting points...

Denim Jeans Sun Hat by Lina, from Sew Historically


Denim Jeans Tote Bag by Klaudia, from Klaudia's Kreativ World


Denim Craft Notebook by Alёnushka, from Alёnushka Art Studio


Embroidered Denim Jeans Placemats by Klaudia, from Klaudia's Kreativ World


Dresden Rag Table Topper by Gina, from Sew Much and More


Embellished Denim Jeans Skirt by Thendral, from KK Arts and Crafts


Denim Jeans Shirt Quilt by Klaudia, from Klaudia's Kreativ World


Embellished Denim Box by Alёnushka, from Alёnushka Art Studio


Denim Jeans Picnic Blanket by Casey, from Simple Joy Crafting


Jeans Pocket Cushion with Frog Appliqué by Klaudia, from Klaudia's Kreativ World


Pinterest is a treasure trove when it comes to jeans recycling...













Don't forget to check out the Denim Refashioning link party, here at Threading My Way. Add your own projects to the collection.

Do you have a stash of denim jeans? Everyone in my family wears jeans, so I have a ready supply. Time is what I don't have enough of.

What to do with old denim jeans. Ideas and tutorials to repurpose, refashion, upcyle and reuse - Threading My Way.


... Pam




7 comments:

  1. Wow, some gorgeous denim refashions! My favorite thing when my girls were little was to take jeans and cut off the legs to add cotton skirts. They loved it too. I need to save some of these for later craft projects.

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  2. I'm rarely drawn to jeans re-do projects (don't really know why, unless it's the inherent obviousness of where the material came from) but some of the ideas you've featured here are beyond the usual.

    I still do prefer it when — like your jeans pocket tote bag and your fabric basket — the projects are paired with other fabric.

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  3. Plenty of inspiration there Pam, I love both of the Shibori makes and the Bits and Bobs boxes would be perfect for my OH's new shed :)

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  4. Great work out of jeans... and such great ideas! I am always enthusiastic about jeans and what you can sew out of them. Thanks for showing also my works...

    Greetings from Germany, Klaudia

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  5. What a wonderful variety of denim upcycles! Thank you for all this inspiration :)

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  6. I'm probably doomed because love all of them!
    Thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party. Pinned!

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  7. Thank you so much for featuring my basket!

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