Here's the story, of a lovely lady,
Who was throwing out more jeans than she could store.
Then it dawned on her, one fun-filled morning,
To make her jeans a part of her decor.
Not sure what to do with those jeans with ripped out knees? What about those jeans that seem to never find their way out of the closet? Whatever the reason may be, I have discovered many ways to recycle old jeans that are not only attractive, but useful and easy to do as well. They are great to use as group activities for school, church, family time, or just your own personal project. It is a nice way to make a personalized gift, which is inexpensive while also contributing your part to supporting a greener lifestyle. No sewing abilities or sewing machine? No Problem! Washable fabric glue is a simple alternative for almost any project. Using two or more adult sized pairs of jeans you can make a small pillow, blanket, or even a table runner
The basic supplies you will need are: Two or more pairs of adult sized jeans, a sewing machine or washable fabric glue, safety pins or straight pins, a measuring tape or ruler, a marker, a piece of cardboard or sturdy paper, and scissors.
Start by cutting off each leg of the jeans just below the middle seams, leaving you with a pair of shorts. Next cut off each seam along the edges and bottom as close as possible to get the most out of your fabric. While you have your scissors handy, this would be an opportune time to also cut off the waistband (starting by the button and below the seam) and remove the back pockets (leave as much room as possible around each pocket when cutting). These pieces come in handy for a variety craft projects.
Now you should have eight strips of fabric. Measure the smaller of the two widths to use as the base for each square of fabric. The length will vary according to the size of jeans you are using. Make a template using your cardboard or paper according to your measurements. You can trace and cut each piece of material individually which tends to be easier considering how thick denim is. Another way would be to stack them as evenly as possible, one on top of the other, matching like widths. Keep them together by using a few safety pins attached in the center. Proceed by tracing your template on the top piece of fabric and then cutting the strips all at the same time. The end result should be eight equal strips of fabric.
Next, lay each strip side by side on your work area making sure each piece of denim is the front side. Take two pieces and sew or glue them together leaving a one-half inch space on the end. This will produce a frayed look for the end result. Continue the process of adding a strip of material to the previous one until each piece is used leaving you with one solid piece. If you have chosen the gluing method, be sure to let your material dry completely before proceeding to the next step. You are now ready to make your choice of decor!
BLANKET OR TABLE RUNNER - Lay your material top side down so the pieces that were sewn or glued together are on bottom. Fold each edge over to the back side and sew or glue a one inch border. This is to prevent fraying and eventually falling apart. Once again, if you have chosen the gluing method, be sure to let your material dry completely before proceeding to the next step. Simply wash and dry and your blanket or runner is finished! It may require a few washes to achieve the frayed look you desire.
PILLOW - Fold your piece of material length-wise in half leaving the fused pieces on the outside. Using your preferred method, leave a one inch space from the outer edge and close up the top and bottom piece leaving then only one open end. Any scrap material left over can be cut into smaller pieces and used for the stuffing, including the seams. Fill your pillow to approximately three inches below the top. You can then close it up one of two ways. By tucking each remaining side in one inch and closing it, leaving then only the top and bottom fringed. Or just omit tucking the edges in and close by leaving a one inch space along the edge thus making a fringe on three sides for the finished product. Always make sure your glue is dry! Wash and dry your pillow until you gain the desired look.
There are no limits to these projects! You can use a variety of shapes and patterns to make each item unique. Add some lace or ribbon for that extra touch. Make a gift set for a family member, friend, or consider donating your finished projects to a local shelter or church. Most of all, enjoy yourself and let your creative talents shine through.