More 101 Uses for Your Old Jeans. Recycle.Reclaim.Upcycle.

Seems that everyone is making a list of ways to recycle your jeans from Fox News to This Old House.  I loved the This Old House list cause it was from a guy perspective...repair a rust spot...bolster insulation...huh? And how about this article at Forbes.com about Ford (the auto maker) using recycled jeans in the 2012 Focus!  So you can see we are in good company in our pursuit of ways to Recycle.Reclaim.Upcycle our jeans.

24. Market Bag. Everyone needs a market bag or two.
25. Wine Bag. Cute bag, neat idea to bleach the denim.
26. Lunch bag. Nice insulated lunch bag, unfortunately no instructions on how to make.  I think most crafty types could make this without instructions.  This lunch bag is significantly different than the lunch sack I showed in my last post, that's why I included the lunch bag here.
27. Yoga Mat Bag.  A little more challenging project because of the circular bottom. Downward dog on!
28. Nail Pouch.  This is probably the simplest denim project you will ever make.
29.Clothes Pin Bag1 or Clothes Pin Bag 2. Makes me wish I had a clothes line so I could make one of these bags for the pins.
30. Eyeglass Case.  I know this is not shown in denim but the pattern would work wonderfully with denim for the outside.  And isn't the caterpillar charming, perfect for a spring project.

I am taking this denim bag to the local Farmer's Market today.

I made it from the legs of a pair of wide leg jeans and an almost vintage sunflower print fabric from my stash.  The handle is from a nylon fabric, also in my stash, and upcycled leather.

How about you, what have you created from your old jeans lately?  Post a response below (come on don't be shy).  I can't wait to know what you are doing with your old jeans.

UPDATE:  The Market Bag desperately needs a pocket for my cellphone and a clip for my keys.  Then I could slip my wallet in the bag and leave my purse in the car. 

More 101 Uses for Your Old Jeans. Recycle.Reclaim.Upcycle.

Well we are on the count down to Christmas. Here are some ideas for handmade denim Christmas gifts. And it is not too late to make any of these.

24. Christmas Stocking. A very nice pattern for a Christmas stocking that you can embellish to reflect your style.

25. Christmas Tree Ornament. Too cute! I can see a little tree covered in these beauties.







26. Gift Tag

27. Lunch Sack. Great idea, by using the pant leg you have very little sewing to do.

28. IPod Cover. Now is this cool or what and it is made by a guy! However as I was looking through the tutorial I thought the fingers of the person sewing looked like a girls...so I'd say he cheated.  Also he said take the smallest seam possible. In my experience, when working with denim, it is better to take a wide seam. Cut your pattern wider to take into account that you will be taking a wider seam.

29. Coffee Cozy. I worked these up one afternoon using one of the cardboard cozies from the coffee shop as my pattern. In four easy steps your done.
  Step 1. Open the cardboard cozy at the glued point.
  Step 2. Double your material (denim) front sides of fabric together, trace pattern onto wrong side of fabric, cut out.
   Step 3. Embellish front side with stitching, paints, beads, etc.
   Step 4. Put wrong sides together so front sides are out, stitch around edge leaving raw edges, overlap ends 1/2 inch stitch top to bottom.
Voila you have a cute, eco-friendly, coffee cozy. Make several to carry in your purse and car.

30. Draft Stopper/Snake.  Make a tube from the legs of an old pair of jeans and stuff with batting or better yet old t-shirts. And of course you will want to embellish it to coordinate with your decor.

101 Uses for Your Old Jeans. Recycle.Reclaim.Upcycle.

Did you think I had given up on the 101 project?  I haven't.  I was just distracted by other things... you know--family, work, fun.

Today we begin with number 19 of our 101 uses for your old jeans.

19. Halloween Mask.  Isn't this gorgeous?
Makes me wish I had a masked ball to attend.

20. Corsage. A new trend for prom?  I bet you could come up with several ways to wear this sweet little flower or make a bouquet of denim flowers.

21. Slippers. 21Century Dressmakers has two tutorials for slippers. The ballet slippers are definitely calling to me. How about denim cowboy boot slippers?  Might have to work on that too.

22. Flower Pot Cover.  Paired with a potted plant what an awesome Christmas or birthday present.

23. Bind an Art Journal or Your Bestseller.

Here is my latest journal with a denim spine and page marker.  The denim is from a pair of overalls worn by my Great Uncle the dairy farmer.

Craft Stew has the ultimate collection of bookbinding techniques and tutorials, head over there when you start your bookbinding journey.  I'm warning you though; it is addictive.

How are you coming on your denim projects?  Take a minute and share what you are doing in the comments section below.

101 Uses for Your Old Jeans. Recycle.Reclaim.Upcycle.

Jeans we all wear them and they all wear out in the most inconvenient places---knees and derriere. And they accumulate, take up space. It is time to give all that denim a new job. So (drum roll) may I present the next 6 uses for your old jeans. 

13. Pillow. Pillows add a homey touch to your space. Look at this cute one from Yellow Bug Boutique.

14. Pocket refrigerator magnet. Cute, I think I would put a couple of magnets on the back to keep it nice and secure. And of course you can decorate it any way you like...to reflect your style.

15. Key fob. And isn't the gift box unique?  Wish she had included a pattern for it.

16. Backpack. Wonderful for kids...durable, eco-friendly and a fashion statement.

17. Rice pack. This is another great beginners sewing project using the legs of those old jeans. And who couldn't use a rice pack to relive aches and pains.

18. Apron. My Byrd House is all about aprons including several cute denim aprons with tutorials! (It however, has one of my blogging pet peeves--background music. If that bugs you too quickly scroll down to the bottom and turn the music off).

I sewed these three aprons--the apron on the left is from the back of a pair of my son's jeans and the right most apron is from the front, and the apron in the middle is from a vintage pair of my great uncle the dairy farmer's overalls. The aprons are embellished with vintage fabric, hankies, and rickrack. Click on the picture to be transported to my Etsy site.

Are you inspired to upcycle your old jeans? Tell me about your jean projects by leaving a comment.