The Ultimate Guide: 8 Ways to Upcycle Your Old Jeans into Something Useful
The humble pair of jeans is a wardrobe staple, but over time, they can become worn and tired, often ending up in the trash. Bring new life to your old denim with these eight creative ways to upcycle your jeans into something useful for your home.
After prolonged use, your favorite pair of jeans may start to fade, fray, or simply go out of style. Today, we’re sharing eight creative ways to recycle your old jeans into something useful!
1 Transform Old Jeans into a Skirt
What You’ll Need
A pair of old jeans
Sewing kit
Scissors
Sewing machine or mini sewing machine
Chalk
Recycle old jeans into a skirt
Instructions
Step 1 First, estimate the desired length for your skirt and mark it on the jeans with chalk. Then, cut off the excess fabric, keeping it for later.
Step 2 Use a seam ripper to remove the stitching from the crotch area, and trim any excess threads. Iron the back of the jeans to ensure a neat appearance.
Step 3 Take the two detached pant legs and open up the seams to create a single piece of fabric. Place this fabric over the back crotch area, cut it into a V shape, and sew it in place.
Step 4 For the front crotch area, fold the two flaps into an A shape and sew them together, or use the excess fabric from Step 1 to create a new panel.
Step 1 Decide on the desired length for your shorts and mark it on the jeans with chalk and a ruler. Then, cut off the excess fabric.
Step 2 Put your new shorts in the washing machine and use the dryer to create a unique, distressed look. You’ll be left with a one-of-a-kind pair of denim shorts!
4 Make a Phone Case
What You’ll Need
A pair of old jeans
Sewing kit
Scissors
Recycle old jeans into a phone case
Instructions
Step 1 Cut out the back pocket of the jeans, along with a little extra fabric to create a strap for hanging.
Step 2 Use a needle and thread to secure the ends of the strap to the pocket, creating a loop. This will allow you to hang your phone case anywhere and easily access your device.
5 Create a Gift Bag
What You’ll Need
A pair of old jeans
Zipper
Sewing kit
Scissors
Ruler
Chalk
Cardboard larger than the jeans
Decorations: stickers, buttons, etc.
Recycle old jeans into a gift bag
Instructions
Step 1 Remove all the stitching from the jeans and use the cardboard to sketch out the cutting lines.
Step 2 Cut the jeans into separate pieces according to your sketch, marking the width and length.
Step 3 Measure the circumference of the fabric that will form the bottom of the bag. It should be half the width of the fabric, plus about 7cm.
Step 4 Cut a piece of fabric to your desired length for the bag’s strap, fold it four times lengthwise, and sew along the inner edge for a neat finish.
Step 5 Sew a piece of fabric to create a zipper pull, then sew the body of the bag using the circular piece of fabric.
Step 6 Once the zipper and strap are attached, decorate the bag with buttons, stickers, or leftover fabric.
6 Sew a Whale Soft Toy
What You’ll Need
Sewing kit
Scissors
Ruler
A pair of old jeans
Chalk
Cotton or stuffing
Recycle old jeans into a whale soft toy
Instructions
Step 1 Remove all the stitching from the jeans and cut out fabric pieces in the shape of a whale’s tail, fins, back, and belly.
Step 2 Sew the two tail pieces together, and do the same for the fins, to create a left and right side.
Step 3 Sew the back and belly pieces together, leaving an opening for stuffing. Fill the whale with cotton or stuffing to give it a plump appearance.
Step 4 Sew the tail and fins to the body, and use black or blue thread to embroider the eyes. Your whale soft toy is now ready!
7 Make an Apron
What You’ll Need
A pair of old jeans
Sewing kit
Scissors
Chalk
Decorations: stickers, buttons, etc.
Recycle old jeans into an apron
Instructions
Step 1 Sketch the shape of half an apron onto one pant leg, then cut it out, starting from the bottom of the leg and up. Remove the stitching to open up the fabric and create the front of the apron.
Step 2 Cut off the back pockets of the jeans and sew them onto the front of the apron.
Step 3 Cut the fabric from the hem of the jeans to create a strap for the neck, and sew it in place.
Step 4 Cut off the fabric from the waistband on both sides, keeping the buttons and buttonholes intact. Sew these pieces onto the sides of the apron as waist ties. Decorate your apron with leftover fabric, buttons, or stickers.
8 Create a Rug
What You’ll Need
1-3 pairs of old jeans
Sewing kit
Scissors
Chalk
Recycle old jeans into a rug
Instructions
Step 1 Remove the stitching from the jeans and cut them into long, rectangular pieces. The number of pieces will depend on the size of your desired rug.
Step 2 Arrange the fabric pieces in a checkerboard pattern and sew them together at the intersections.
Step 3 Use the leftover fabric to create a border around the rug, and your unique denim rug is ready!
There you have it—eight creative ways to recycle your old jeans! We hope these ideas inspire you to transform your worn-out denim into something beautiful, fun, and practical.
Frequently asked questions
There are several creative ways to upcycle old jeans into something new and useful. You can cut them into strips to create a braided rug, sew them into a stylish bag or wallet, turn them into a fun pair of shorts or a skirt, or even make a unique phone case or notebook cover. You can also use the denim fabric to create patches for repairing other clothing items or to add a unique touch to your garments.
You can create a variety of items, including a denim apron, perfect for gardening or crafting, a stylish jean jacket, or a unique pair of overalls by cutting and sewing your old jeans. You can also make accessories like a denim headband, a choker, or a belt. For your home, consider making a denim basket or storage bins, a cozy pet bed, or even a unique lampshade.
To make a bag, cut the legs of your jeans into wide strips, and then braid these strips together to form a sturdy handle. Sew the braids onto the back pockets of the jeans, and you have a unique bag with built-in storage. You can also add embellishments like buttons, patches, or embroidery to make it truly yours.
For beginners, an easy project is to turn your old jeans into a pair of cut-off shorts. Simply cut the legs to your desired length, and then fray the edges for a casual look. You can also create a simple phone case by cutting a piece of denim to size and sewing on a button or velcro closure. Another option is to make a denim bowl by cutting strips of denim and coiling them together, sewing as you go, to form a unique bowl or catch-all dish.
To repair and decorate your old jeans, consider using patches made from different colored denim or fun fabrics. You can also add embellishments like rhinestones, studs, or even paint to give them a unique look. Try cutting the jeans into a new style, such as a flared or bootcut shape, or adding a fun trim to the hems.
Recycle old jeans into a skirt
Add embroidery or patches to old jeans
Recycle old jeans into shorts
Recycle old jeans into a phone case
Recycle old jeans into a gift bag
Recycle old jeans into a whale soft toy
Recycle old jeans into an apron
Recycle old jeans into a rug
