101 Creative Ideas to Recycle Denim Jeans

recycle denimDenim is a fantastic fabric

I was rummaging through my closet the other day and I noticed that I had built up a pretty good supply of old denim jeans that I was unlikely to ever wear (or be able to wear.. ) again.  Ditto for both my husband and my kids who have now outgrown numerous items made of denim from jeans to jackets.  I don't know about you, but I suspect this may be the case with many readers.

I then got to thinking about what a waste it would be to just throw these old garments away.  Unfortunately donating isn't an easy option where I live as that would be a good alternative too.  So I began to think of ways I could repurpose or recycle all of this wonderful blue, black and white cotton denim.

One of the things denim is known for is that it just lasts and lasts.  Such a durable and long-life fabric creates terrific opportunities to reuse, repurpose and recycle after it has been used as a pair of jean or a jacket.  You could probably even recycle denim a couple of times before it would wear out.

So I put together this roundup of 101 Creative Ideas to Recycle Denim Jeans.  I hope it will give you some inspiration for getting all that lovely denim back to work.

Tips for sewing denim

If you want to learn how to sew denim for both new and recycled denim projects, we've done a whole article on this wonderful fabric and how best to sew with it.

sewing denim

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101 Creative Ideas to Recycle Denim Jeans

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Vicky
Vicky

I love to upcycle/recycle denim. So many things that I can make from bags, to bedroom shoes (yes, I made my daughters shoes when they were kids), mats for my dog, vests, a Winnie the Pooh diaper bag, the list keeps going…

Last edited by Vicky
Maggie Martin
Maggie Martin

Hi Mayra! I have a denim backpack that I made 12 years ago, it is on its 4th remake and thus gets smaller each time. I think I will retire it or give it to my great grandson for toys. I am really tired of UNsewing the seams. Ha Ha! I LOVE denim. Thank YOU for these ideas, great article.

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Maggie Martin

Most welcome Maggie.

Neeraj
Neeraj

Great ideas.I really loved this post. Thank you so much you have shared.

Daniela Koeva
Daniela Koeva

Great! I really like the pincushion and the neckless. With all the denim scraps I’ve got to keep I really can make some of those creative ideas.

Janice Parker
Janice Parker

Some very interesting ideas. I’ve made the wine bottle holder which turned out very good also Cary bags from the body of jeans with lace and bling.
Thank you so much for your great ideas.

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Janice Parker

You are welcome Janice.

Dakota Rose
Dakota Rose

Are these put together in a format that can be saved to a file for future reference?

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Dakota Rose

Hi Dakota, the easiest way would be Pinterest.

Mila Kette
Mila Kette

So many lovely ideas it is difficult to pick only one! Thank you so much for sharing them.

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Mila Kette

You are welcome Mila.

WheelyBad
WheelyBad

Some brilliant ideas here, thank you.

I have one I don’t think I saw on your list, and it’s for those with kids. Use a contrast fabric to lengthen the legs on any trousers (pants), not just jeans, quite often when kids shoot up the waist still fits but the legs are a bit short. The trick is to make them look like turn ups and is really useful to get those precious extra weeks or months wear if cash is short or the clothes are a favourite. Including the contrast fabric in another way on the trousers like covering the waistband or back pocket, perhaps a patch pocket or applicate shapes like flowers for the girls -get the hotfix wand out too for a real designer look with a bit of bling or some extra studs or rivets for a tougher look, it all helps​ to add to the overall look and an old pair of jeans becomes bespoke- a one off pair of “designer” jeans for the price of a raid on your stash box or a fat quarter or two. Getting them involved by picking the contrast may also get them interested in sewing (always a good thing!) and can also be a way of instilling an appreciation of the cost of things and that throw away isn’t always the way to go. I used to do this sort of thing with very basic sewing skills and often by hand. I’m sure you all have way more skills than I did back then and would know what to do if you wanted to give this a try.

I’m off to see what scraps I’ve got. I quite fancy one of those denim patchwork pouffes and a drawstring bag for my knitting/ crochet WIPs!

Stitchy hugs, T x

Dr.K.
Dr.K.
Reply to  WheelyBad

Hello Tx,
Thanks for your ideas – would you by any chance be able to post a picture of the trouser ‘turn ups’? My son has these kind of trousers and long legs… 😉
I have used a similar method for the favorite fleece jacket – I added waistband jersey to the cuffs and waist. It did look a bit funny because I didn’t know how to do the opening of where the zipper was (I ended up having a gap of 1.5″), but he loved it. 😉

MPaula
MPaula
Reply to  WheelyBad

I have very short legs and jeans are almost always too long BUT I do have a couple pairs that are too short! I will use your idea on them. A back pocket (or 2) out of the added fabric will be a bonus because they don’t have back pockets! and I wanted some. Thank you!

Elena
Elena

Fantastic ideas, thanks so much

Mayra Cecilia
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Reply to  Elena

You are welcome!