I feel like one of the most common upcycling projects people want to do is to make things with old jeans, so let’s look at some blue jean crafts to get you inspired to finally go through that pile of old pants!
While we often want to make crafts with old jeans, I feel like they often also sit around waiting for us to get to them for a long time (just me?). Maybe that’s because it’s kind of intimidating to cut jeans up even if we aren’t wearing them because it feels like we’re ruining them.
That’s why I suggest starting your denim upcycling journey with pants that already have holes in them rather than ones that might still be wearable. Then once you get started you’ll feel better about reusing even jeans that technically could still be worn.
These jeans craft ideas are sure to get your scissors itching!
Upcycled Christmas Ornament
This little denim ornament uses easy embroidery to make a big statement. You can do the same thing in a different size if you want to use a different word, or make them for any time of year. If you have a word of the year this would be a fun way to display it, too.
This blue jean craft was also featured in a post on upcycling denim at MarthaStewart.com, so go check that out for even more ideas!
Denim Advent Calendar
Speaking of holiday decor, I shared this jeans pocket advent calendar from Pillar Box Blue in a collection of DIY advent calendars a few years ago on Our Daily Craft, and I still think it’s a great one if you have a lot of pockets on hand from all your blue jean crafts (and if you don’t have 24, I have a few more ideas for using pockets below).
Also while we’re talking about Pillar Box Blue, this site has an amazing collection of blue jean crafts for you to consider (and I’ll share another one below, too).
Make a Quilt from Old Jeans
If you’re looking for a big project to make with the fabric after you’ve used all the pockets, why not make a denim quilt? This tutorial from Frugal Family Times shows how to make a quilt out of old jeans with exposed seams that will fray over time.
If you’d like a version without exposed seams, check out the denim picnic blanket from Sustain My Craft Habit.
Denim Yarn
If you knit or crochet, one thing that you can do with old jeans is make yarn. This makes a really thick and durable yarn that would be great for things like knit potholders, trivets, table runners and the like.
It would also be fun to weave with, make placemats or baskets. You could use this denim yarn to make a fabric coiled basket, too.
Woven Placemats
If you’re not a knitter or crocheter you can also weave strips of denim fabric to make a placemat or table runner.
The way that Hearth & Vine did it, it’s not washable, because it was put together with glue and shelf liner, but you could also sew the pieces together to make it more durable.
Wocket Pocket Game
If you want to make a fun kids craft with a single pocket, check out this idea for a Dr. Seuss There’s a Wocket in My Pocket! inspired hide and seek game.
If you don’t want to make it a Seuss game, you could print all sorts of things on small pieces of paper and hide them around a room for a kiddo to collect in their pocket.
Valentine Door Hanger
Another good blue jean craft made with a pocket is this sweet little valentine door hanger pocket. You wouldn’t have to use this just for Valentine’s Day, but that’s what the original idea was.
It fits little gifts, candy bars or small cards. You could even keep it on the door and just add encouraging messages periodically. So cute and it can be a no sew project if you like it that way.
Sashiko Stitched Denim Bookmark
I’m a big fan of making bookmarks, and this denim bookmark from Pillar Box Blue is a great one that doesn’t take a lot of time to stitch.
It uses sashiko, which is just a bunch of running stitches, and while the original was made with a piece of waistband you can use any piece of denim, though using the buttonhole to hold a tassel (also made of denim) is super cute. And if you’re worried about sewing through that much fabric by hand, a sashiko needle is really ideal for this project.
Easy Blue Jean Crafts: Denim Keychains
Another project that uses just a little bit of denim is these keychains from Make it in Denim. These also use belt loops and little bits of lace, buttons and other things left over from other projects.
As you might guess from the name of the website, this one is also a great source for upcycled denim project ideas.
Denim Potholder Pattern
Sew Nikki has a fun tutorial for fabric scrap potholders that use denim on one side and other fabric on the other, though there’s an extra layer of denim inside so you could also skip doing the fabric on the outside.
You could also make these bigger to put under a casserole or bigger baking dish if you like.
Make an Apron from Old Jeans
Need a heavy duty apron for crafting or cooking? This maker apron from Fanning Sparks looks like a fun one.
It uses strategically placed pockets and a belt loop to help you store everything you need for projects, and is finished with bias tape.
DIY Denim Box
Learn how to make cute denim boxes lined with fabric with this video tutorial from Wandee Easy Sewing. It’s easy to make with a piece of denim, a piece of fabric and some interfacing to give it stability.
Once you know how to do it you can make them in different sizes if you like.
