10-20-30 Minutes to Recycle Jeans
Sewing: for me it’s a creative outlet and my favorite therapy. I enjoy spending time in my sewing room at the end of the day. Usually ten minutes here or 20 minutes there is how I accomplish most sewing tasks, regardless of the project. If you’ve been a loyal follower, you know that 10-20-30 minutes to sew or quilt has been a topic before. Now I’m applying that concept to recycling jeans. Curious? Learn how in my new Sewing With Nancy TV mini-series, 10-20-30 Minutes to Recycle Jeans and in the book by the same name.
60-Minute Jeans Potholders
In about an hour, create a pair of durable recycled jeans potholders that are pliable and easy to use, while giving protection from the heat of hot dishes. When you watch online, you’ll learn the basics of taking apart cast-off jeans, and making something creative.
Bunkhouse Bib
When it’s chow time at the ranch or most likely lunchtime at home, make adorable bibs for your little buckaroos. The durable yet colorful bib features parts of a cast-off pair of jeans and a bright bandana. Sewing time for this recycling project is again approximately an hour.
BBQ Placemat
Team up your casual meals with upcycled jeans placemats. The BBQ Placemats are durable, while adding a down-home flair to a meal with family or friends. Two placemats can easily be made from a no longer worn pair of jeans. Plus, there will be extra “fabric” left over to use in other recycling projects.
Tailgate Casserole Carrier
Durable and eclectic in style with a novel utensil holder, this casserole carrier will become your favorite hot or cold food carrier. Combined with insulated fabrics, the carrier can be made from an adult pair of jeans in approximately two-hours of time.
The Book: 10-20-30 Minutes to Recycle Jeans
- Walk through denim deconstruction before jumping right in with projects you’ll love. Discover new and novel finishing techniques as you sew up a variety of gifts in minutes.
- This new book is perfect for the beginning sewist, or anyone who wants to refresh their skills. It walks you through a variety of techniques, with full-color, step-by-step instructions in my easy-to-understand manner. Build your skill set and confidence from one project to the next.
- Follow along with the 50-minute DVD, as I guide you from deconstruction to lovely gifts in no time flat.
Watch 10-20-20 Minutes to Recycle Jeans on Sewing With Nancy online.
What types of clothing do you save for recycle-based sewing or quilting projects? Leave your answers in the comment section for a chance to win 10-20-30 Minutes to Recycle Jeans.
I enjoyed reading your comments regarding my easy techniques to create Super-Sized Quilts at the end of the September 8 and September 15 posts.
The random winner of a copy of the book, The Best of Sewing With Nancy’s Super-Sized Quilts, from Nancy’s Notions, is Helen. Her comment was: Some more wonderful templates and methods of simplifying complex patterns. You make the complicated very simple. Love it!
Bye for now,
Grace Niederlehner
I have only recycled jeans. I have made bags with them. I would love to win your book but if I don’t I intend to buy it. Thanks for the opportunity.
Donna
I have a huge plastic tub full of jeans just waiting for the perfect project! This is it!
LaDona Wheatley
My newest clothing recycle project is to collect old tshirts, cut or rip them into strips, connect them into “yarn”, and use that to crochet or braid into area rugs.
ROBIN, TX
I’ve not tried recycling clothing. That bib is the cutest!
Susan Novak
I have a “stash” of clothing such as jeans, t-shirts, even sheets, that I have saved with the intent to recycle. As of now, though, I haven’t actually used any of them!
Margaret C.
My fave repurpose is using mens’ dress shirts to make aprons. When a person has passed away, the apron can come together more quickly than a quilt. I use the technique on the Lark Crafts website taken from Susan Wasinger’s book, Hand Sewn.
Janice Hobbs
I save almost all fabrics (t-shirts, dress shirts, blouses, silks, etc) to use in quilting or re-purposing projects. Great way to teach my granddaughter about how to re-use!
Joanne Dillon, Sew Lady Embroidery Works
I have all my “peeps” saving their jeans for me to recycle for fun projects to share with them. I also discovered that recycled bathrobes make nice baby blankets! Thanks for the inspiration you provide for sewing addicts.
Pam Miner
I am constantly repairing jeans so nothing gets thrown away. This would be a fun project book for my library.
Joan
Can’t wait to see all your great ideas. I have loads of torn and worn out jeans, purchase old sheet for wuilting and save shairts to make an apron is now on my list.
Jade
I love my Accuquilt, so have been saving old jeans for rag die projects and have so much fun with it. I still have so many more jeans to play with, this book is perfect for new project ideas!
Karen Nelson
I always keep jeans and I’ve kept some leather (maybe pleather) pants that no one can wear to repurpose. If there is an interesting fabric in usable condition I’d keep it no matter what the clothing item.
Mary Farus
I have made denim quilts out of recycled jeans to take to sporting events to use for warmth and to sit upon. Years ago I made cute purses out of recycled jeans for my daughter and her friends when she was in high school. I gave also made a recycled skirt and vest for myself out of recycled jeans. I have also used recycled plaid men’s shirts in my quilts. I have had a good time! Thanks for the opportunity to win Nancy’s book.
Ruth
I save jeans and am anxious to try new ways to recycle them. Also, I love making quilts with vintage clothing.
Kathy Petersen
I love to reuse old jeans and other fabrics. I’ve made Christmas stocking from jeans and a cute quilt. I want to make the bib you show in your book. I’d love to win your book.
Kathy
I need to use up some old jeans and am looking for fun quick projects. Your book sounds great.
Phyllis Morris
Hi Nancy and friends, Call me crazy but I save all kinds of used clothing from cottons and denims to satin and fleece. If it’s clean without age spots, it works for all kinds of creations from doll clothes to quilts and so much more. Thanks for inspiring more fun ways to use denim!!! So cute!
Margaret M. Higgins
I just finished a rag quilt using old denim jeans. It is also fun to create bags and totes with the jeans. I am always looking for more creative ways to use them up. The pile keeps getting bigger, not smaller
Judy G
I have recycled clothing to make doll clothes plenty of times, but limited my recycling of old jeans to using them for patching not-quite-so-old jeans. Now I see many opportunities lost and will be looking at my old jeans much differently in the future.
Marianne
I save all jeans to make potholders and make up bags but your ideas will help use up more of the trunk I have saved. I keep all buttons, zippers and usable pieces of discarded clothing but now maybe I should save the fabrics for your projects. All crumbs of quilting fabric go into a barrel for a someday postage stamp quilt. Recycling, repurposing and reusing projects are the best and most fun! Thanks for writing a book to increase us “hippie recyclers” joy!
Tina Ennis
I have made the cutest aprons from recycled jeans. Of course there is the occasional skirt and totes.
Being a NON tall person, I have to cut off most of the jeans that I wear. I have been saving these parts to create a picnic quilt one day.
Mary Reisdorph
I have all kinds of recycled clothing. I would love to win your book to use up some of the jeans I have in totes
Diana W.
I have the jeans, old t-shirts, and tons of fabric to make into gifts, charity quilts, and as many other ideas as I can gather. My time is short at times, so small projects are sometimes needed so I can feel I’ve actually finished a project, and this book looks like there would be several of that kind of project. Would love to browse through the book!!
Susan Spiers
Jeans are always a save! I have actually made 4 crazy quilt blocks from jean material-hopefully a quilt one day.
Helen
Have been saving old denim for years….these are some of the best updated ideas I’ve seen in a long time. Anxious to try some.
Lyn Rogers
I have been working with recycled jeans for sometime now. I make little girls purses, tote bags and to date 4 sizeable “rag” jeans picnic quilts! Thank you for more inspiration!
Sue
Once people found out I was using old jeans for projects they started bringing me bags (trash bags) filled with old jeans. I’ve added this book to my list of “have to have’s” and plan to buy if I don’t win it. Appreciate the chance to win it!
Chris Ball
Hi! I go to the annual church rummage sales and buy the $2 bags in the last hour stuffed with jeans! I have lots saved for my next blue jean quilt!
Kay
I’ve used jean pockets for coasters and save them for my mom who makes woven rugs on her loom with them.
Jane Gustinis
I have been recycling jeans for several years and have made bags for softballs, golfballs an iPad bag, bag for my garmin. I am also planning on making a quilt. I also collect wool sweaters for mittens. I cut strips of scrap fabric to use for rugs also. I have also used t-shirts to make infinity scarfs.
Shirley Marvin
Have saved old jeans for years. Have made purses, pot holders, quilts and much more but always need new ideas as have several banana boxes full to use yet…
Peg
I use old jeans to make purses with colorful patchwork sections. Using as gifts. Love it!
Starla
I use old sheets to make shopping bags, cotton shirt scraps for quilting and jeans for all kinds of things — I made a set of fabric bins from old jeans; they old other fabrics.
Karen Tucker
I have “upcycled” about a gazillion pair of jeans! Running out of ideas; this book would be wonderful to revitalize my jeans supply in the closet.
Donna C
I save t-shirts, jeans, dress shirts and Hawaiian shirts….all usable fabric plus some good buttons and hardware for zippy bags. I made a bag for my daughter from jeans and lined it with fabric from a Hawaiian shirt, then added a tie on the front from the same shirt.
Rosie Glenn
I like using old jeans in creative ways but just looking at the photos makes me realize that there are more ways than I ever thought of! Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy. I always learn new things from you.
Kathe Mayer
My most fun jean redo is a picnic tablecloth which I put together using my serger. It always gets comments!
Elaine
I save all sorts of garments to re-purpose or use parts of. But most recently I have been looking at projects to use my dad’s old neckties.
Aileen
I have been saving jeans and Hawaiian shirts so I can make quilts and other accessories. I’d like to make dresses/skirts out of the Hawaiian fabric and trim with the jeans as a different look for my grand daughters.
Florence Dupuis
I have some jeans and handkerchiefs to recycle. Don’t have enough handkerchiefs yet to make a quilt. Still have my eyes out for more and a friend promised me some also. I have to remind my son and his family again that I need those old jeans as would like to make the casserole carrier and the bib.
Anna Jane Hudock
I save T-shirts. Shorts with pockets, scarves and other winter wear. Mens shirts make super aprons and art shirts.
Jan
Denim jeans are the absolute best – for any project. Shop the garage sales and thrift stores for bargains. I like to use the denim for the back of a raggy quilt, with flannel or bandanas on top and plan to try some of your great ideas. By the way, the pockets make darling pockets for aprons.
Joyce Fitzgerald
I love recycling jeans, I have used the legs to make fingerless gloves, for my granddaughter when she shows rabbits, I use the pockets to make cell phone holders while charging with a cute ribbon they hang on the charger against the wall when there is not a table near by. So I would love the book for more great ideas .
Rosario Chavarria
I have a lot of recycled jeans, some favorite old bags and totes made with strong fabric, handles and nice pockets. I’m learning how to sew by watching your videos, this book will help me a lot, I hope I can win it! Thanks for the opportunity.
Roberta A
I save old jeans, T-shirts, fabrics and anything I can think of. After my husband passed away I made memory quilts for my family from my husbands old T-shirts. This book looks like it would give me more ideas. Would be great to win this book.
Melanie
I love reusing jeans in picnic blankets, kids’ quilts and my latest and most unique-tool carriers for my husband! He asked me for a durable roll-up carrier for his wrench sets and I found the upper portion of his old jeans was perfect. While they have stood up well over the past couple of years, they are quite grungy and should be replaced. Wish I could upload a photo for any other wives of farmers or mechanics!
Lolita Cox
I save clothes, including jeans. I save old blankets and mattress covers for batting. I save the buttons, but I draw the line at zippers.
Linda Thompson
I made a queen sized round quilt from a retired attorney’s tie collection from his entire career! It is Dresden in pattern and ‘quilt as you go” with the ties on both sides and medallions also Dresden pattern from the narrow ends of the ties in the middle of each side. It wasn’t easy because I was making it up as I went along.. My next project will be felted wool sweater purses. I also have a “stash” of jeans. I’d love to win your book. Looks wonderful.
Karen
Jeans are my absolute favorite to recycle! I have boxes of jeans, so could definitely use more of your great ideas, Nancy. I have used them for bibs, hot pads & chenille looking rugs.
Debbie
My latest recycle clothing project is with baby clothes and making the oh so cute quilts with them. There are so many different variations you can do!
Brenda
I am recycling my son’s old blue jeans into a quilt. It is about half finished. I also made a clothespin bag and a tote bag from his old jeans.
April Lubbock
I save jeans to make “ugly quilts”. These are heavy duty quilts that we make and donate to the homeless.
Zohra S Arastu
I love to recycle and repurpose from boxes,paper, foil from snack packs to clothes, bedsheets, jeans you name it. I have made my bath robe from old bedsheet, trasformed clothing, and embellishments into bags and purses for my children and grandchildren too. My latest is a dress for my 2year old grand daughter from an embroidered jean jacket I picked up at the thrift store. There is a treasure in the process of recycling and repurposing. Your book would surely add to my storage of ideas.
Joy
My husband’s favorite color is plaid. He was cleaning out shirts which were wearing out or didn’t fit. I picked out all those with red, white, or blue and recycled them into a nap quilt for his mother. I used the neck band and left the tag on. Backed it with large pieces from the shirt backs and an old chambray-like sheet.
I even used recycled batting- I used an old cotton mattress pad. It’s warm, lightweight and reminds her of her son, now that we have moved 4 hours away!
Lori Michel
I love recycling fabric from jeans and other clothing…These are great patterns to use them in…
Edna M
I love making things with recycled jeans, like using the parts that haven’t worn out to make something useful and pretty.
Judy P
I made a jacket from old jeans. The colors don’t match, but that makes it unique. The more pattern pieces, the more unique it turns out to be. I also save anything made of silk or wool. I am planning on using the silk to make a chenille jacket. The wool gets felted and used for various items.
Terri
Flannel shirts, t-shirts, sweaters and pants. I cut squares or other shapes for quilts, patchwork bags and other quilt type projects. Also for cloth baskets to store all those scraps in :}
Wanda Lawrence
I’ve been saving jean squares to make a quilt for my grandson.
Kelly Sas
I love using recycled fabric for rag rugs. I use men’s button down shirts for aprons. I also use jeans for…well for everything!
Kay Statom
I have used shirts, jeans, light weight pants, buttons and some bows in making many different projects. I used Jeans, shirts and buttons on my oldest grandsons first quilt. I sewed the buttons on instead of tying the quilt. I also use drapery material to make tote bags. It is like found fabric!!
Karen Payton
Reading over the other comments I can see that we all have something in common. We can the usefulness in just about anything! I like many others save various”old” garments hoping to one day make something new from them.
Debkb
Just last winter I got into up cycling/recycling after an ASG challenge. I had a blast. I’ve used jeans, men’s shirts, knit tops and wool coats and more.
Arlene Burger
Over the past several years I have been saving my grandsons travel baseball tee shirts. Now that he is 15, I started sewing a quilt out of the fronts/backs. Still trying to figure out the placement and binding. Love your TV show.
Twyla Johnson
I also save blue jeans and one day hope to recycle them into purses and handy carrying cases. Thanks to you for opportunity to win your book.
Maryann Cavanaugh
I have recycled jeans, as well as flannel shirts for quilts, cotton shirts to make into aprons. If I have clothing that isn’t in good enough shape to donate to charity, I save the buttons from the item and use the rest as rags.
Patti
Jeans like everyone else!! I’ve also used flannel shirts and other shirts. I always rescue the buttons before I discard something to worn to use for anything.
Susan Shrum
I started saving jeans and men’s ties, but haven’t made anything yet with them as I am looking for ideas.
Karen
I saved my three children’s t-shirts since preschool age. I’ve completed 3 tshirt quilts for one child….Boxes of shirts await for the other two! I also saved a very large pile of jeans but maybe now I have found a use for those. Thank you!
Carol Burns
I love recycling any kind of fabric. I take jeans, shirts and dresses that friends give me when their loved ones die and make them into cathradel window quilts as memory quilts for them. I like to take other clothes and make them into new clothes for smaller children. I always collect the buttons and recycle them for use on other clothes.
Cindy K
I have made 3 Jean/flannel shirt rag quilts (lap size) for graduation gifts and 3 Jean/flannel shirt quilts (twin size) for my grandsons. This book looks fun. Would like to make the casserole carrier as I take meals to the field during harvest.
Mary J
My hubby challenged me to reuse used clothes for quilts, patchwork tables cloths, etc. It’s fun to go to thrift shops and repurpose what ever I can find!
My next project will be using old t-shirts for a rag rug– a first time project. Can’t wait!!
Jeans!! Love them . We swapped an embellished jeans bracelet. So fun!
Sher Blomster
I save jeans for scrappy quilts and bags. Also like to save men’s shirts to mix in with the denim.
Carol Abbott
I save kids clothes including jackets and dresses to make doll clothes for the kids. I also saved my parents clothes when they passed and made my sister a memory quilt with the saved fabric and pictures.
Tina Jeo
Right now I am saving jeans and denim jumpers. I would like to make a denim and flannel quilt. I am also saving t shirts to make into Little britches for Africa.
Linda Rupe
I save anything made from good quality fabric- especially silks, wools and denim. Denim is so versatile and durable I cannot imagine tossing it!
PamB
I only save jeans and haven’t made anything from them in a long time. This books looks like I would have some new ideas to recycle them.
Sharie
I always keep the too worn to wear or zipper is gone jeans. Have made few things like purses with them. Also use the worn out for mending grandkids jeans when they split knees and such. Sure would love to have your book !
Gail Beam
I have a box of old jeans thinking that they might come in handy one day! I would love to win this book to learn how to make some neat projects and use up some of these old jeans into useable gifts.
Christina Gingerich
What a neat casserole cover! Have lots of old jeans to use up. The bib would be great for the grandchildren! I need this book! Thanks!
Linda L. Baker
Thanks so much for the video. I have my jeans washed, cut up and ready to sew something. I have 3 large tubs. I was going to cut some for braided rugs but now you have shown
me other options. The quilt club I belong to is having a quilt show Aug. of 2017 so maybe I can make some placemats to donate for the beautique table. Thanks again.
Robin
I use men’s shirts from the thrift store to make rag quilts. I use dress shirts for the front and denim or heavier shirts for the back. In the centre I put any material that doesn’t really work for other quilts. As long as it frays nicely it will work for the rag quilts.
Ellen W
I enjoy saving my Dad’s old ties, especially the silk ones and using them for colorful table runners. When cut thin, they weave up lightweight, flat and a fun gift.
Keryl Vair
A few years ago, I “borrowed” jeans from my husband, cut them apart and made a 10-gored skirt. Love it!! Last year I cut colorful plastic bags into strips and knit the “plarn” into a new beautiful plastic bag
Carol Jenks
Old dresses, shirts, jeans, towels, washcloths, terry cloth robes, sheets are all favorites of mine to save for recycled sewing. Would love to win your book as I need new ideas for recycling.
Judy
Been saving vacation T-Shirts for a T-Shirt quilt for my boys.
Love to win your book.
LoAnn Trowbridge
I save shirts for quilts. Blue jeans for future projects–working on exercise mat now
Elizabeth
I save jeans to make faux cathedral windows quilts, and many other projects. I also make just plain old heavy duty one patch quilts. My quilts are work horses and I sew each seam three times. I just got a serger so it might go even faster once I get going with it. I also save flannel shirts for quilts, and old bedsheets. I use sheets for my backing fabric. I can’t imagine piecing fabric for a backing! Old t-shirts and tanks can be repurposed into new tops with a crocheted yoke. If they are long enough I make them into nightgowns and you can help the length by adding a soft lacy ruffle on the bottom. I also take the side seams on jeans, cut them into long strips with pinking shears and weave them into hot mats with heat resistant fabric for the backing. I can’t bear to throw away good things!
Nancy Bonnette
I want to recycle everything I have a great light grey wool coat but so far it is still in my closet same for the wheat linen 4 piece outfit!! Of course they don’t fit me anymore but I can’t give them away either. I keep all my husbands shirst he is know for the plaid ones he wear and they will either be labels or quilts for the grandkids and of course jeans. I love jeans handbags and now I want to made everyone of the projects in the recycle jeans book.
Great and easy ideas. Thanks Nancy
Nancy Bonnette
I want to recycle everything I have a great light grey wool coat but so far it is still in my closet same for the wheat linen 4 piece outfit!! Of course they don’t fit me anymore but I can’t give them away either. I keep all my husbands shirts he is know for the plaid ones he wear and they will either be labels or quilts for the grandkids and of course jeans. I love jeans handbags and now I want to made everyone of the projects in the recycle jeans book.
Great and easy ideas. Thanks Nancy
Emmaline Prothro
I have this also, its been about 2 years tried so many things and spent so much money, went to Drs, dermatologist, Chinese naturalist Dr still can’t get rid if it. Have the dust/lint flying things, bumps and scratches appearing on my skin, also these sparkle looking things in my skin. When I go around people they start to scratch, rub their eyes, dig in their ears,swipe their nose or cough, this bothers me more than anythingdon’t want to be spreading this thing to anyone. I see the web looking things in my home on my windows, on the porch, car and these dust/lint things flying from there, they are in clothes, hair,furniture,everywhere ni matter how much I clean it wash, no matter what I used Kleenex green, borax, bleach, ammonia,etc, tried almost everything someone says worked for them, spent so much on supplements, bathing products. Desperate for help, praying everyday that is what gets me through I also pray for all of you going through this. Do anyone live in Philly?
LINDA K.
I recycle jeans, my husbands bib overalls (I get so much material, pockets, and buckles, any and all clothing I feel worthy of recycling. Nothing goes to waste!
I made a king-size quilt from recycled bib overalls and jeans eons ago and still have it. Parts of it is still usable, so I am now going to recycle it again!
The clothing that doesn’t get recycled goes to charity.
Gayle
I am saving my husband’s flannel shirts. He wears out the elbows quicker than the rest of the shirt. So I have the body of the shirt to use for the underneath side of bibs, etc.