How to Recycle and Reuse Old Jeans

Recycle your old denim jeans into crafty household and gift giving items. There are so many ways to reuse your jeans.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• old jeans
• various items per each craft

1. Make a denim organizer for you or your teen. Or better yet, involve them in the sewing or start teaching them. Copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or see quick link in resources below)for step-by-step instructions: www.sewing.org/html/denimorganizer.html

2. 
   Hippy costume pants

   Recycle old jeans from adults or older children, into a Hippy costume for younger children during Halloween. Attach trims to hem and ankle area on jeans with fabric glue, or double stick tape.

3. 

   Create new neck roll pillows out of your old jeans. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.familycorner.com/archives/crafting/7.shtml

4. Use strips of old jeans to make rag rugs for your home. You can find directions by copying and pasting the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://newoldfashionedgal.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/how-to-make-beccas-jean-rag-rug/

5. Make book covers from the upper portion of old jeans. Making Friends Web site provides step-by-step instructions. Copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.makingfriends.com/jeans_bookcover.htm

6. 

   Sew a small purse (or make lots of them). Copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.makingfriends.com/jeans_leg_purse.htm

7. Create a brand new pair of capri pants from your old jeans. For instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.makingfriends.com/jeans_capri.htm

8. Make easy shorts by simply cutting the legs, just above the knees, off of your old jeans. These are great to wear for outside activities, car washing days and painting projects.

9. Turn your old pair of jeans into a jean skirt. For directions, copy and paste the folling Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.makingfriends.com/jean_skirt.htm

10. Make a display holder, from a denim pocket, to hold Beanie bean bag animals. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.makingfriends.com/glory%20denim.htm

11. Sew yourself a sit upon using the upper portion of a pair of jeans. For instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.makingfriends.com/situpon.htm

12. Make new pot holders from your old jeans. For instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.makeandtakes.com/blue-jean-pot-holders

13. Sew an apron out of an old pair of jeans and add decorations. For an example and instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.threadbanger.com/post/8162/how-to-make-an-apron-out-of-old-jeans

14. Sew a toaster cover using old jeans. For help, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa011801d.htm

15. Recycle your old jeans into new Christmas denim stockings. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.myrecycledbags.com/2007/12/08/denim-christmas-stocking/

16. Give a bedroom a new look, by recycling your old jeans into a bed skirt. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.hgtv.com/dc-design-bedroom/blue-jean-bed-skirt/index.html

17. Make a quilt with old jeans. For ideas and directions, copy and paste the following Web address to you computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.straw.com/quilting/articles/bluejeans.html

18. Sew a child a Blue Jean Blankie. For detailed instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://blankie.made4usa.com/HelpfulHints/HelpfulHints.html

19. Sew your old jeans into a brand new vest. For instructions copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.isew.co.uk/sewing_projects/waistcoat_wizardry-c-00282.htm

20. Sew a new carry bag for your camera. For directions to make a Camera Cozy, copy and paste the following Web address to your address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.evilmadscientist.com/article.php/camerabag

21. Recycle old jeans into a new reuseable lunch bag for kids. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=10021

22. Make photo frames from old jeans pockets. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on directions in resources below): http://www.diynetwork.com/diy/cr_photo_projects/article/0,2025,DIY_13772_3558635,00.html

23. Use an old pair if jeans to dress up a scare crow for the Fall holidays.

24. Use old jeans in place of store purchased material to make a gardening knee pad. For an idea and directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.0e0eb51a2e6b5ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=25212e912b11f010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&lastnavigatedchannel=13fbf423088ee010VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=taxonomylist

25. Sew old jeans into bathroom accessories such a toilet paper roll bag, or seat cover. For ideas, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in resources below): http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/denim-bathroom.shtml

26. Using the pockets from old jeans, make Denim Refrigerator Magnets. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.allfreecrafts.com/recycling-crafts/denim-pocket-magnets.shtml

27. Sew a cup cozy from old jeans. For an example and tutorial, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://poppytalktutorials.blogspot.com/2007/04/coffee-cuff-tutorial.html

28. 

    Save old jeans for adorning handmade Christmas ornaments. You can use them for angel wings, western themed ornaments, small quilt ornaments, and more.

29. Make a denim tote bag. For instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.needlepointers.com/displaypage.aspx?ArticleID=36178&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.lovetosew.com%2fdenimbag.htm

30. Recycle old jeans into life sized dolls for kids. For directions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on link in the resources below): http://www.needlepointers.com/displaypage.aspx?ArticleID=34927&URL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.diynetwork.com%2fdiy%2fcr_dolls%2farticle%2f0%2c2025%2cDIY_13753_2269300%2c00.html

31. Make a shoulder bag and water bottle holder with old jeans. For printable instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://www.needlepointers.com/displaypage.aspx?URL=http://www.aokcorral.com/projects/how2aug2007.htm

32. Decorate a plain white sweatshirt with scraps of denim for a new look. For instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://familycrafts.about.com/cs/wearables/l/bldenimswshirt.htm

33. For a unique idea in your garden, recycle a pair of old jeans into a planter. For instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in resources below): http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/987/

34. Make door draft stoppers for the legs of old jeans. For printable instructions, copy and paste the following Web address to your computer's address box and enter (or click on the link in the resources below): http://www.informationandreferral.org/Simple%20Draft%20Stopper.pdf

Tips & Warnings

• Give as gifts for birthday's, teacher gifts, and holidays

Resources

• Kids Sewing & Craft Projects ~ Denim Organizer
• How to made a neck roll pillow ~ Jeans
• How to Make Beccas Jean Rag Rug
• makingfriends.com ~ Jeans book cover
• makingfriends.com ~ Jeans Leg Purse
• makingfriends.com ~ Jean Capri's
• makingfriends.com ~ Jean Skirt
• makingfriends.com ~ Denim Display for Beanie Babies
• makingfriends.com ~ Jean Sit Upon
• How to make blue jean pot holders
• How to make an apron out of old jeans
• Sew Your Own Toaster Cover
• Make a Recycled Denim Stocking
• Decorating ~ Blue Jean Bed Skirt Directions
• How to make blue jean quilts
• How to make a Blue Jean Blankie
• How to make a Waist Coat (vest)
• How to make a camera cozy
• How to make a reuseable lunch bag
• How to make jean pocket photo frames
• Make a Gardening Knee Pad
• Christmas stockings from jeans
• Make denim bathroom accessories
• Make Denim Pocket Magnets
• Make Denim Pocket Magnets
• Make a Denim Apron
• Coffee Cuff Tutorial
• How to Make a Denim Tote Bag
• Needlepointers.com ~ Recycle jeans ~ Life size doll
• How to make a shoulder bag and water bottle holder
• Make an Organizer from Jeans
• Make a Denim Patch Sweatshirt
• How to make a planter out of old jeans
• Simple Draft Stopper - Instructions
• How to make a door draft stopper
• Denim Scrap Christmas Tree ornaments
• Recycled Jeans Craft

[jaysmommi]

on 5/2/2009 Wow thanks a lot! Great article and tips!

[ReuseItAll]

on 3/10/2009 Wow! What a terrific article! This is so useful for everyone!! We use ours to make quilts out of!! 5 stars!!

[kaytay]

on 3/8/2009 Wow! So many neat ideas. thanks for sharing. 5*

[joni04]

on 2/13/2009 I never knew there was so much you could make with good ol' jeans! I will give these a try!! ***** and recommended

[miasavc]

on 12/17/2008 Wow, I did not know there are alot of items you can come up by recycling old jeans! I agree with smidgen, it would be nice to see the pictures of those items mentioned.