by Crystal Raen

Created on: December 06, 2008

Jeans are made of extremely versatile fabric and recycling them offers so many options. Not only does recycling your jeans keep more useless waste out of the landfills, but can also provide you with new items for free (with the exception of time to make). Also there are companies that will take old jeans and turn them into environmentally friendly insulation for homes; for more information visit: http://greenjeansinsulation.com .

Blue jeans that have small tears or their seams are starting to pull apart can be made into jean skirts. This can be done by cutting the legs to the desired length of skirt, then taking apart the inner seam on the legs up through the crotch. Then lay the jeans flat and pull the legs together and pin down the fabric so that there are no bunched places, then sew each layer to hold the skirt down. More thorough instructions can be found at: http://www.threadbanger.com/post/1033/how-to-turn-ol d-jeans-into-a-stylin-new-skirt .

Jeans can also make fun tote bags and purses. The pockets are great for carrying accessories, make-up, and money. Just cut evenly across the legs just slightly above where the crotch ends. Turn the top part inside out and sew a seam across the bottom (where the legs once were) and then turn back right side out. Then you can use the material from the legs to fashion a purse handle for your new bag. Other purse/bag/tote ideas can be found at these sites: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Tote-Bag and http://www.expertvillage.com/video/119697_make-jeans -tote-bag-sewing.htm .

Durable kitchen aprons and tool aprons can be made from the legs of your jeans. There are many different styles of aprons that can be constructed a few instructions can be found here: http://mybyrdhouse.blogspot.com/2007/09/september-ap ron-tutorial-jeans-apron-2.html and http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1977-0 9-01/How-to-Make-a-Tool-Apron-from-Blue-Jeans.aspx . Also for use in the kitchen, blue jean pot holders to match your new apron: http://junkyloveinfreehand.blogspot.com/2007/09/who- doesnt-need-new-cute-potholders.html .

There are also beautiful patchwork quilts made from jean material, this is an especially wonderful use, if the jeans you have on hand are from your children growing out of them. What a wonderful way to create a lovely potential heirloom quilt. There are hundreds upon hundreds of websites with quilt patterns, go to your favorite search engine and search: Blue Jean Quilt Instructions to find one that you love.

Also to recycle jeans, you can always donate them to the less fortunate. Find a charity near you that takes old clothes. Or you can donate them to a thrift store. There are many more ideas on recycling your old jeans. I have heard of people using them to recover chairs, or make slipcovers for sofas. You can tear them into strips to make shag rugs. The only limit on recycling those jeans is your imagination. So sit down and start stewing on some ideas, who knows you might make something that other people love so much that you have gift ideas or a business opportunity. Good luck!

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