What's a good craft to use 6 old pairs of tattered, large men's blue jeans?

Question

I have 4 blue & 2 white pairs. I was thinking some type of rag rug, but having never made one I need directions. Or do you have another idea? I'm open to suggestions if you have the how-to's. My 7 yr old son & I need a summer craft to work on together.

Answer 1

I wish I could send you a photo of the little purses I made for my granddaughters this past Christmas.  I recycled an old pair of my jeans and my husband’s jeans to create them.   I’m not a seamstress. First and far most I am a recycler who tries to use what I have on hand. So with that being said, here’s my step-by-step instructions on how you too can sew a recycled denim purse.

I used just one pant leg for the body of the bag and the other pant leg to make the straps. I lined the bag with some pretty material.

Measure 14” from the hem and mark it.  Cut out the bottom of the jean leg.  The bottom opening will be the top of the hand bag, just turn it upside down.  Hem the bottom of the purse.   Then measure the length and width of purse and make a pattern out of old paper.  Use this for the lining.  Lay out your pattern on the material, cut out and sew up like a sack.  Take back pocket off of jeans, try not to loose the sewn look of the threads.  Hand stitch pocket onto purse.  ÃƒÂ¢Ã‚€ÂœYou can decorate the pocket later with iron on flowers, red hankie sticking out of pocket, etc.  Cut the strap strips which are 4-1/2″ wide by 29″ long each before sewing.  Then sew them and turn them right side out. Then top-stitch along the both edges on the straps.  Pen the straps on inside side seam of purse.  Pin lining inside purse and sew lining and straps all at the same time.    I used a red paisley material for my lining.  The girls loved them.  They said  what made them so special was that they came from their grandparents jeans :o)    They loved them.

Answer 2

Here's a link to a few different ideas:

http://www.reddawn.net/quilt/denim.htm

I just scrolled to the bottom and saw that it is quite an old link...but hey, there might still be some good ideas.  Good luck :D

Answer 3

Make a checkered denim pillow that is about one foot by one foot with sealed in fluff.

That type of pillow is soft

Answer 4

jeans quilt would be awesome! and you could just pick up a sheet at the thrift store to back it.  That would look so cool on a bed.

hope that helps

Answer 5

As for your rug question you will need latch hook rug backing,(found at Hobby Lobby of Michaels) a yard should be big enough, cut the jeans into 4 x 1/2 inch strips. Fold in half to form a loop, stick the looped side into the holes on the backing and poke the loose ends through the loop and pull tight. Continue this process untill you have the desired sized rug if you cut the strips with pinking shears they won't ravel as much but it won't look as good after it washes either.

As for other craft ideas: cut into 2 1/2 inch squares and sew them together to make pillows, or you can cut the legs off and sew acoss the bottom.then cut strips out of the legs to make handles and you've got a napsack.

I have also traced patterns on the legs, such as cows, teddy bears, and football shapes and sew two together to make small pillows.

Answer 6

My favorite thing to make with old jeans is a shoulder bag.  cut off the legs, make straps with them.  Sew the legs closed and decorate as you like.