4 Different sewing projects to give old jeans a new life

June 1, 2023

I’m sure we can all agree that once our denim Jeans have passed their best with holes at the thighs, it can be hard to give them up, especially if they were our favourite pair. I had a box full of them, and over the last five years I’ve used them all by giving them a new lease of life.

1. My son loves his mini trampoline. Since he’s autistic, it was his main form of stimming for a long time. The main problem with it was that the plastic skirt around the outside got torn, and once it started to tear, it was irresistible for a sensory-driven 4-year-old. The result was a

confetti of a trampoline skirt. We needed a new cover for the springs, so I used the back legs of three pairs of jeans (men’s are better for this as they are wider and generally a bit thicker).

I measured the circumference around the outside of the trampoline and divided this by the average length of jeans leg I had available. This gave me 6 sections. I used the overlocker to attach them all to make a long length of denim. I then joined together to make a loop.

I originally just folded over a section on either side for the elastic. Still, in future projects, I realised that if I took two x 3” lengths of contrast cotton fabric (folded in half to make a 1.5” long length of binding), I could attach these to either side ( leaving the ends open - either hem or double fold so there are no raw edges) before joining in the loop. It would give a perfect contract casing for the elastic to go through.

I made big button holes for the leg holes (I had to manually do these as they were much bigger than the buttonhole stitch on my sewing machine). Basically, take the diameter of your trampoline legs and, in chalk, draw a rectangle slightly larger and an out a 1/3” wide. Sew over this with a narrow tight zig-zag stitch. Then cut the centre so the leg can fit through. Do this at equal intervals for as many legs as your trampoline has.Next, add the elastic and then fit it to the trampoline. You now have a thrifty and washable hard wearing.

Ours is now over 4 years old and still going strong.

2. A draught excluder. Use squares sewn together to make a long sausage. Sew one end closed

and turn it out. Stuff with offcuts from the jeans (hems, waist and scraps). Stuff it quite full and either hand sew or machine sew the open end closed.

The one in the picture was for a customers door that was much wider them my sewing room door.

You can also add a hanging loop to make it easier to store whilst not in use.

To get your measurements:

Measure your door. Add 5” to this measurement to account for seam allowance and overhang.

I used 2 rows of 6” squares, but you could also use 3 rows of 5” squares or 4 rows of 4” squares. You could also use a mix of sizes to make it unique and interesting.

3. A Picnic blanket or quilt.

Using squares of whatever size you wish, sew together in a patchwork to whatever size you wish. The one I made was roughly 68” square.

I backed it with polar fleece, quilted it with rainbow thread, and then bound it with mint and white cotton.

I left all the pockets open so you can add bits into them if it’s used as a picnic blanket (to make sure it won’t blow away in the Shetland weather).

It also gets used as a cover for your garden swing and quilt to snuggle under on cold winter days.

The best bit is that it’s totally machine washable, and because it’s made wit

h worn jeans,it’s buttery soft and snuggly.

4. Finally, you can get creative and use old jeans to make whatever you want. Make them into bags, upcycle them into skirts, cut them up and make purses or wallets. You can also sew lots of strips together and make them into dresses.