Re-Cycled Jeans Pillow

Another way to use old jeans is to make decorative throw pillows. You know what they say "jeans go with everything". Well I believe the same is true for these throw pillows made from recycled jeans. I cut 16 squares and layered them 4 deep with all right sides facing up, sew across in 1/2 inch increments on the diagonal, cut thru three layers in between seams and then run them thru the washer and dryer to make them poof up. Then sew the blocks together so that the sewn lines form a concentric design. I put a denim back on mine to make a pillow, but the same idea could be used to make a tote or beach bag.

Re-Cycled Jeans Hand Bags

What can you do with your favorite pair of jeans once they are too worn to wear, or just out grown? I hate throwing things away. I am like those hoarders that they are making TV shows about that have piles and piles of stuff that they just can't get rid of. My husband and I live in a three bedroom house and two of those bedrooms that are supposed to be for guest rooms are in fact rooms to hold all the things that I keep, thinking someday I will find a use for that and I will be glad I kept it.

A few years ago I decided to try to use up all the things that I have kept over the years to cut down on the clutter, and maybe make money in the process. I started making these handbags out of the old jeans that I will never get small enough to wear anymore. I sell them for $15.oo each, or give them as Christmas or birthday presents (which saves money too because I am not out any cash for the present).

I use scraps of fabric left over from other projects to make the lining. Pockets can be put on the inside if you like, but I usually don't because there are plenty of pockets already on the jeans. On the two bags shown in these pictures, I decorated them by felting flowers, scrolls, and hearts using loose wool (that I carded and dyed myself) and a felting needle. The belts and shoulder straps can be done in a variety of ways. Sometimes I use old belts of mine and sometimes I make them using the pant legs that were cut off. Macrame shoulder straps (not shown) also look nice and sell pretty well.

Use pants size 12 or smaller, anything bigger just looks like you are carrying around a duffel bag. Children's and baby jeans work great. The larger ones can even be used for diaper bags. Bottles slide down in the front pockets for easy access.

Applique on Recycled Jeans Skirt

The skirt was made from a pair of size 6 children's jeans that my granddaughter got too tall for.
I cut them off at the knees and opened up the inside leg seam, and both side seams below the pocket. I used the bottom portion of the legs that I cut off to cut four triangles (two large for front and back and two smaller ones for the sides). The crotch area on the front and back has to be cut back to form a relatively straight line from the waist band to the bottom of the leg. Insert the triangles. Put a ruffle on the bottom of the skirt.

Then I appliqued flowers to look like they were coming out of the pocket on the left side, and across the front.

I put a butterfly on the right side just below the pocket.

I put a bow with long streamers on the back between the pockets. When I insert the triangles, because of the thick seams on jeans, the top of the triangles are not always perfect, so I put the appliques in these locations to hide any imperfections.

Basket made with Recycled Jeans

This is an Easter basket that I made from the flat fold seams of my son-in-law's old jeans. I cut all the double sewn seams off the jeans, including the ones that go across the back yoke that has the little red wrangler tab that you can see in the bottom picture.This basket took two pair of jeans to make. When cutting the seams out, I leave about 1/4 inch of material on both sides of the seam. I also used both waist bands. On one I left the belt loops attached to the top of the waist band and used a seam ripper to rip them loose from the pants before I cut the waist band off the pants with the extra 1/4 inch of fabric.


To start, with the right side of the seam facing up. I pulled a 4 inch length around and butted it up against each other. I Started at the loop end and, using a wide zig-zag stitch, I began sewing the two together. The hardest part is the first turn. Just keep the seam as flat as possible and turn the corner making sure that the zig-zag stitch is catching fabric on both sides. Continue in this fashion, going around both ends until you come to the end of the first piece. Then just butt the next piece up next to the last one and keep zig-zagging until the bottom is as large as you want it. At that point, pull slightly on the piece that is being attached and continue. This pulling will make the sides start to take shape. When you run thru all the pieces of flat fold seams, use scissors to taper the end of the last piece so it has a smooth rather than an abrupt end. Now, put the waist band on. Attach the waist band with the loops (I cut the snaps and or buttons and holes off first)to the top of the basket in the same manor as before, trim to insure that the two ends butt up against each other. Zig-zag waist band together. Use the other waistband to make the handle. First, fold it in half length wise and sew (with straight stitch). Next, fold it in half and attach the folded side to the basket. Then, twist the two like a rope (twist just enough to make the handle hold its shape, if you twist too much, the handle won't stand up) and attach to the other side of the basket. Use hot glue and attach the loose ends of the belt loops to the basket. Decorate with ribbon thru the belt loops and a large bow. Flowers or other decorations could also be used, it's up to you.