Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
What can be made with old jeans?
By Jenn from Alberta
www.thriftyfun.com/
Pictured are two potholders that I made from a pair of my husband's old jeans.
I cut the legs off two more pair of his jeans and will be able to make two kitchen hot mats.
Throw pillows, quilts. Every now and then I see pictures and directions for making purses out of old jeans. There is also a way to make skirts out of them. I have never tried it, but they are cute when done.
You can cut them off at the crotch and sew across the bottom and top, leave an opening for stuffing and use as a pillow for a teen's bed. You can take some fun appliques and paints etc and jazz it up too!
Make a skirt by cutting off the top of the jeans at hip-level. Sew some gathered fabric on for a jeans-yoked skirt. Add trim as desired.
Almost anything you can think of can be made from old denim jeans! I have made men's wallets, toilet seat cover, and tank lid, lawn chair covers, coasters, rugs, placemats, baby bibs that are reversible, cast iron frying pan handle pot holders, bar b-q aprons, book covers, purses. The list is almost endless. I am also making small stuffed dinosaurs and dachshunds (we have a dog like that) and gift bags.
I made great work aprons with pockets across the bottom. Great for yard work, housecleaning, etc.
Pat
Last night I cut off my husbands blue jeans and made him some shorts. What can I do with the bottom portions that I have left? It has to be something really easy as I do not sew and don't have a machine and I have no little ones at home, just three little doggies! Thanks in advance! You ladies and gentlmen are the best! :)
You can use them to make knee, elbow and/or pocket patches as well as for some arts and crafts projects. Instead of sewing use fabric glue or a glue gun.
Well it depends on how small your dogs are but your pets can use them as covers or just to run around and play tug-o-war with. Or you can use them to clean around. Hope this helps you out !
You can make quilts, handbags, pocketbooks, belts, or covering a small lamp shades.
Sew the narrowest edges together with strong thread, and firmly stitch a loop of cord to each side of the other end, to make a bottle carrier for picnics, parties or just for giving a bottle as a gift.
I saved my off-cuts and they have been invaluable for patching the knees of hubby's work jeans over the years.
Stitch or staple one end together, insert a glass jar, turn down a cuff at the top, decorate with red, white, and blue ribbons tied in a bow around the neck of the jar, and you have a cute flower vase.
Sew one end shut, then stuff for a car travel pillow. After it's stuffed, sew the other end shut. They are sturdy, wash well and fit nicely behind your neck. I still have mine from when I was a kid.
If they're not shabby looking where you cut them down, you could make throw pillows out of them.
Since you said you don't sew (I see most people gave you suggestions that involve sewing!), you could cut the pieces into strips and tie them together to make doggie chew/play toys. No sewing involved there! :-)
Blue jean legs make the best potholders ever! I made one today using the batting from an old worn out potholder. I appliqued some stars onto it just for fun. Obviously this idea works best for someone who likes to sew!
you can make a headband to match your jeans when u put them on.
hope this helps u
Roll them up into a spiral, fold it in half, and stick lots of them in a vase for impromptu denim roses!
I had a friend who used to take those leg parts and put drawstrings in both ends,to use as a cat carrier when she took her cats to the vet, the cats didn't mind a bit being all bunnied up and couldn't claw through the tough denim. The vet was able to reach into the top part to use his stethescope and even do injections. You could even decorate the bags if your crafty and sell or give them away to catty friends
Sew one end of the legs up, fill it full of white rice and then close the other end. Put in the microwave and heat the rice. Use for achy muscles, and to also warm up beds on cold nights.
MAKE A RAG QUILT, SIMPLY TAKE SQUARES SEW THEM TOGETHER WITH A ONE INCH SEAM ALLOWANCE
You can make non-sew pot holders.
Use any kind of glue (washable glue if you are going to wash them) and glue 2 squares of any size together. You can cut some cotton batting a little smaller than the jean squares and glue in the middle of the 2 jean squares.
What can I do with denim scraps?
By Tina from Paola, KS
You can make various sized squares and rectangles and sew within a half an inch from the edge all around and unravel the edges. Using fabric paint, paint a picture on each square and sew onto new jeans, slacks, jacket, etc. for a personal crafty fun touch.
Make a quilt. You can leave the pockets on for an interesting look.
I am looking for how to make fringe out of old blue jeans.
By sewin granny from NE
If it were me I would cut the jean leg the length & width I wanted it & fold it over lengthwise to make cutting faster & cut strips from the bottom up to a pre-marked line on the backside.Use a yardstick to make the line in ink at the top.When you cut,that's where you should stop.
Then cut with sharp scissors up to the line only. Folded you will cut at least 2 thicknesses or possibly 3 or 4 depending on how you fold it or cut every piece singly which could take a while. You could even mark the cut lines on the back if you wanted to. I would cut the fringe 1/2 an inch thick at least but that's up to you.
What can be made with old jeans?
By Dorothy from Durban, KZN
