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7 Ways To Refashion Old Denim Jeans

October 10, 2014 by Larissa Coleman

Are you having trouble letting go of your favorite pair of jeans? We understand how attached you can get to a piece of clothing that fits just right or holds a special memory.

But when those jeans start to show their age, it can be tough to figure out what to do with them.

That’s where this DIY craft article comes in! With a roundup of 7 creative ways to refashion old jeans, you’ll have plenty of inspiration for what to do with those jeans that you just can’t bear to part with. From turning them into a trendy skirt to repurposing them into a stylish tote bag, these ideas will help you give your old jeans a new lease on life.

 

Check out this book featuring 10 other ways to use Denim jeans.

 

patchwork

1-  Patchwork Jeans from Une Touche de Rose

DIY Tie Dye Denim

2- DIY Tie Dye Denim from Swell Mayde

Fashion Mode Styling Outfit DIY

3- DIY Distressed Jeans from Fashion On Blog

 

Denim fabric is a sturdy cotton twill fabric that is most commonly used to make jeans. It was originally invented in the French city of Nîmes (which is where the name “denim” comes from) in the 18th century, but it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that it became popular for use in clothing, particularly in the form of denim jeans.

In the 1870s, a tailor named Jacob W. Davis and a dry goods merchant named Levi Strauss began making work pants out of denim fabric for miners and other workers in the American West. These pants, known as “waist overalls,” became popular due to their durability and comfort. In the 1920s, the concept of blue jeans as a fashion item took off, and denim has been a popular fabric for clothing ever since. Today, denim is used to make a wide range of clothing items, including jeans, jackets, skirts, skirts, and more.

 

 

skinny

4- From Flared to Skinny Jeans from Lazy Girl’s DIY

capri

5- New Capris From Old Jeans from Baking Outside The Box

DIYlaceprint

6- DIY Lace Bonanza Jeans from Pariata Time

studdedcuffs

7- DIY Fest Studded Cuffs from 21st Street Blog

 

Do you have your own ideas for using recycled jeans? We’d love to hear them! Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and let’s inspire each other to get creative with our old jeans.

Here are some of the submissions for other ways to recycle your denim jeans.

  1. Turn them into a trendy skirt or dress
  2. Make a tote bag or backpack
  3. Create a patchwork quilt or throw blanket
  4. Use them to make a cushion cover or throw pillows
  5. Repurpose them into a stylish apron
  6. Make a denim wallet or purse
  7. Create a denim headband or hair accessory
  8. Turn them into a pet bed or toy
  9. Use them to make a jean purse or clutch
  10. Cut them into strips and use them as ribbon or twine for gift wrapping or crafts.

 

 

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Have you read?

Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!

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