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Jeans in our house get a brand new life once their usefulness as pants wear out. Denim material being the most durable cloth on the market makes for the possibility of recycling this same material endless. In our house, old pairs of jeans morph into many useful items.

First any jeans that become too short become a pair of cutoff shorts. Simply cut an inch longer than desired on the upper leg and either hem them or fray them for the new pair of shorts. Don't throw the leg sections as these make great patches for jeans you just can't bear to part with.

One item I've made from jeans is a clothespin bag to hang on our clothesline in the yard. I took an old pair of jeans and cut them off just beyond where the legs join. Then I sew the legs closed. A wire hanger weaved through the belt loops completes the bag and it is ready to hang. I have found it last longer than the store bought bags and are usually bigger thus it holds more pins.

Utility apron for gardening is another item to make from old jeans. Simply sew as you would the clothespin bag and use an old belt through the side and front loops to hold it on. It will hold shears and the pockets are great to hold seeds. When it gets dirty just remove the belt and throw it in the washer.

Make your own unique purse. Cut at the legs and sew shut. Add a zipper at the waist to keep it closed. Use the leg sections to cut the length you want for the shoulder straps and cut accordingly. Sew them inside out then turn them right side out and attach to the waistband. Adorn with beads and bangles to express your own style.

Using the cut off legs of jeans is only limited by the imagination. There are many indoor and outdoor items one can make by recycling the legs of old jeans.

Oven Mitts

Cut the legs of the jeans apart and lay flat. Trace around your hand, make sure to trace about an inch to an inch and one half outside of your hand. Do this also for your other hand. Use old towels for the padding by tracing your hand on them also. Sew the pieces together and you have homemade oven mitts.

Hot Pads and Pot Holders

To save your counters from hot pans simply cut 2 squares from the legs and sew together. Add lace if you want to make them look a little fancier. For hot pads just make them oblong instead of square if needed.

Table Savers

Make the table savers just as you would for hot pads. These will keep the marks off your tables when placed under plants. Remember to use a drain plate to catch water. These pads will only keep rings off but

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