Blue Jean Recycling Crafts

Old blue jeans can be recycled to make a variety of crafts.

Like the basic white t-shirt, blue jeans are a fashion staple that have endured for decades. When your jeans are finally no longer usable, it's a shame to throw them out. Jeans become damaged or ripped in only one or two places, or if the size of the wearer changes. Old blue jeans can be recycled into many different items, and all that is needed is a little sewing skills and some other minor craft materials.

Denim Purses

One of the more popular items made from old blue jeans are denim purses. These can be made by cutting off the legs of the jeans and sewing the bottom together with a seam. Choose a fabric for the lining of the bag and sew that into the seat and front of the jeans. Cut strips of denim from the legs of the jeans to make the strap of the purse. Finally, decorate the purse with ribbons, beads or buttons.

Scarecrow

Around Halloween, used blue jeans come in handy for decoration. Stuff the jeans with straw or leaves to make the bottom half of a scarecrow or scary body. Try an old flannel shirt for the torso and arms of the figure. Add a jack-o-lantern or scary mask for the head. Even when it is not around Halloween, old jeans can be added to a real scarecrow in a farmer's field.

Quilt

Like any other piece of fabric, material from old blue jeans can be added to a family quilt. The quilt can be made exclusively from blue jeans, or it can be made from a variety of fabrics that are no longer useful. Additional meaning can be woven into the quilt if it is made from children's clothes that are no longer wearable.

Drink Cozy

One of the simplest crafts that can be made from old blue jeans is a basic drink cozy. Cut a strip from the hem of the leg or the seam and sew the ends together to make a tube. Slightly taper one end of the tube to make a cozy for a disposable coffee cup or a soft drink cup. The project even works when making a cozy for a canned drink. Have the item on hand to make proper measurements.

Place Mats and Pot Holders

Kitchens and dining rooms can benefit from recycled blue jeans. Cut out larger pieces of fabric for raw materials. Sew these large pieces together for use as place mats in the dining room or pot holders in the kitchen. Stuff them with foam or saw dust to give them shape.

Book Covers

Each year, students around the country need to put their school books in protective covers. Instead of using store-bought covers or paper grocery bags, students can use the denim of an old pair of blue jeans to form their book covers. Add functionality to the book cover by using areas of the jeans that contain pockets. This is where students can store school supplies, notes or even their cell phones.

References

• Wise Bread: Twenty-five Things to Do With Old Jeans
• Holistic Mama: Recycling Old Jeans
• All Free Crafts: Denim Crafts and Blue Jean Recycling Projects
• Artists Helping Children: Denim Jeans Crafts for Kids
• HGTV: Trash to Treasure
• Garden Web: Blue Jean Purse
• Nature Moms: 5 Ways to Recycle Your Blue Jeans
• Planet Forward: The Green MacGyver Eco-Friendly Crafts - Blue Jean Notebook
• Maggie Made It: Blue Jeans Purse
• Idea Queen: Sewing Jean Purses