Using Denim in Craft Projects

Denim is a strong, durable fabric. It seems a shame to toss those old jeans that don't fit anymore in the trash. If you have kids, you know how many pairs of jeans they will end up going through. Maybe you have a favorite pair of jeans that is worn in the crotch or knees, and can no longer be worn, but you don't want to part with them...there are a lot of different things you can do with those, so no need to throw them out just yet!

One of my favorite projects to make with old denim, are Christmas stockings. I like to take craft paint, or the glitter glue, and write the person's name on the back pockets, and give them there old recycled jeans as gifts! The fun thing about this is that you can incorporate scraps of fabric too. Take some old Christmas fabric you have lying around, or a fabric in the person's favorite color, and sew it into the stocking! These are very easy to make. It's a s simple as cutting out a stocking shape twice, and sewing it together! .

Another great denim project is bags and purses. These are great fun to make out if denim. You already have pockets, so you won't have to make any of those. The pockets make for great compartments in purses and bags. If you plan the project just right, you will even have the closure for the purse or bag, with the snap or button! You don't need to stop there either, you can make a matching wallet to go with it! If you have seen the different jeans that are on the market these days for little girls, and women, you may have noticed all the pretty designs on them lately. These would make for some beautiful bags for a little girl!

My son had some jeans with designs on the pockets. One pair had a skull, one pair a dragon, one pair had dice,etc...I cut the pockets off each pair of jeans, leaving the backs in tact. I then sewed a piece of Velcro onto the back of each pocket, and attached the other part of the Velcro to the bottom of my son' bulletin board with tacks. Then I just attached the pockets to the Velcro on the bulletin board, and you have these great little storage spaces now! . My son really loves these. He puts all sorts of things in them from pencils, to change. The best part is that they can easily be removed if needed as well!!

If you have little denim scraps that are not quite big enough for a project, you can always sew them together and make little throw pillows. You can make book covers for your favorite notebook, or hair ties for your favorite girl! Hair ties are very easy, a piece of denim, and a piece of elastic, is all you need. Wrap the elastic up with your piece of denim, and sew the ends together! Another great project that can be made with scraps, are photo frames. If you have an old outdated frame, or even pick one up at the dollar store, you can cut some denim scraps to fit over the frame. All you have to do is hot glue the denim pieces onto the frame.

No matter what you decide to make, all the projects mentioned here need to be sewed. Since denim is such a durable fabric, I do not recommend sewing by hand. You will want to use a sewing machine for these projects. You will also want to use a thick thread, and a durable needle. Make sure the needle you choose to put in your sewing machine is strong enough to sew through denim. or you will be going through a lot of needles!