Just SEW You Know…

By Amy Smith

Q:  Recycling is so important….what can I do with old denim jeans?  I see so many styles and ideas around, but don’t know how to begin recycling old clothes.

 A:  Do you have some old jeans that the kids have outgrown?  Recycling old clothing is very popular right now, and it is called “Altered Denim”.  Here are some ideas…

Cut the legs off the pair of jeans so that just the top of the jeans are intact.  Sew the bottom as one seam and you have made a bag.  Now, take some fun, bright fabric and create a shoulder strap, and jazz it up by making a tie belt out of the same bright fabric.  Children’s jeans work great for this, because they are smaller in size and make a great summer bag! 

Also, you can take a pair of jeans or shorts.  Separate the front of the shorts from the back.  Just cut through the waist band and open up the two side seams. Now, you have a front and a back.  Take the crotch and stitch it flat to one side.  Take a colorful fabric and make a band for the two sides and the bottom.  (Really have some fun and make a colorful ruffle for the bottom.) Now, make two straps and attach them to the waistband.  You now have a cute and fun apron! 

I took one pair of jeans and made the following: 1 apron, 1 purse, two water bottle carriers, 2 or three hotpads.  When I was finished, I had about two 3-inch scraps of fabric remaining.

          What a great way to be creative in recycling and make some great, fun gifts!