13 Sewing Projects for Your Home and Closet
“Who uses minutes has hours to use; who loses minutes whole years must lose.” That great quote sums up the Nancy Zieman method of sewing—10 minutes here, 20 minutes there. Nancy created this minutes-to-sew sewing principle for fashion sewing and quilting, and now for recycling jeans. In part two of the Sewing With Nancy TV mini-series, 10-20-30 Minutes to Recycle Jeans and in the book by the same name, Nancy shows you how to utilize a few minutes, here and there, to recycle jeans into fun sewing projects!
Soft-Sided Bins
Store craft items, sewing supplies, toiletries, or stationery in these flexible bins. The ready-made pockets give double the storage space. Plus, the bins can be stored flat when not in use. This is recycling at it’s best! When you watch online, you’ll learn the basics of taking apart cast-off jeans and making something creative.
Double Duty Mat
When you need flexibility in sewing, create the Double Duty Mat to use as a sewing station and pressing mat. First the sewing station: Set the machine on the largest portion of the mat, which provides a handy area of notions to be stored directly below the mat. Or, slide the mat to a flat surface and use as a pressing area, again with storage options. Outdated jeans provide the stability and pockets for this upcycled project.
Crossbody Jeans Bag
Create a casual bag that’s just the right size to carry essentials—wallet, keys, phone or a tablet. A recycled pair of jeans provides automatic pocket space without any extra sewing time. You’ll soon see that the crossbody bag can easily be made in a little over 2-hours.
Two-for-One Apron
Make two aprons from one pair of jeans—a recycling bonus! One apron will feature the front pockets while the other apron features the back pockets. Add binding, a ruffle, and a fabric belt for functionality and a little frill.
See more practical and fresh projects in Nancy’s 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.
- These projects are perfect for the beginning sewist, or anyone who wants to refresh their skills. This new book walks you through it all, with full-color, step-by-step instructions in an easy-to-understand manner. Build your skill set and confidence from one project to the next.
- Follow along with the 50-minute DVD, as Nancy guides you from deconstruction to lovely gifts in no time flat.
Watch 10-20-20 Minutes to Recycle Jeans (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.
Have you thought about your next recycled project for 2018? Leave your answers in the comment section for a chance to win the book 10-20-30 Minutes to Recycle Jeans from Nancy’s Notions.
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
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Teresa Metz
I have been considering a recycle project for 2018 which is hanging via a clothes ganger, multi pocket organizer. I need 5 or 6 of them with large, medium & small pockets to accommodate scarves, small items have 1000 other items to free up drawer space.
Florence Mano
My plans for 2018 is to look at the current pieces of clothing in my closet. Those not worn were something I liked, so why not recycle / reuse the fabric to become something new?
Susie Moses
I’m planning on re or up-cycling organizers for my fat quarters! They have taken on a life of their own and I need a better system than in a drawer by color!
Susie Moses
I’m planning on re or up-cycling organizers for my fat quarters! They have taken on a life of their own and I need a better system than in a drawer and out of sight, by color!
Patricia Cowherd
These look like great ideas for my husband’s workout jeans.
Enid
I need to recycle a bin of jeans. This book would be useful.
Cyndi Duffin
I love the idea of “re-Inventing” new items by using old ones. It keeps older items from the landfills.
Thank you for the give away!
Deena K Paine
I’m not sure what to put in the place for website?
But I’ve been collecting Jeans and I think I have enough now for a rag jean quilt, King size, we may not be able to carry it since it’s going to be so heavy but it will stay in place on the bed. I’d love to have Nancy’s Jean Book.
Deena
Cindy K
I would like to make the soft sided bins for my grandsons to go with the denium quilts I made them for Christmas
Regina Harris
I am planning to sort through our jean collections to find those that can be used for recycled projects in 2018. Once I determine what materials I have available, I will decide what I can make. Thanks for the great ideas.
tinker
i don’f have any recycle sewing ideas, but i do like the ones in this post. i recently made nancy’s potholders from recycled jeans. thanks.
Sharie
Well , I do have some old jeans so am seriously planning to do something with them in 2018. The little apron is really cute. As are the soft side cubies. Also thinking would make great gifts ! Now just pick me please !!!
Debbie Turner
This year instead of buying gifts, I made gifts for my coworkers, something different for each from my fabric stash. I want this book so I can start working on next year’s gift, especially the casserole tote. I may make them all a pan of homemade lasagna and wrap it in their new casserole tote!
Karen Misner
That ironing mat would be great at my next quilting retreat!
Mary ann hutchinson
Great for recycling jeans which I plenty of. I like the ideas.
Debbie Echaves
I’m going to use some recycled jeans for a dog bed cover. I really like the soft sided bins great use for the pockets and smaller pieces
BevM
I have already made some smaller recycled jeans projects. I hope to make a quilt or comforter from jeans.
annamarie dodge
I already plan to make stuffed animals out of jeans material and I will be making holiday wreaths….and whatever else comes to mind at the time!
Teri
I have old jeans that I was going to take to goodwill but now, if I could win this book, I can make something like the machine mat – I just love that idea for friends. Four friends and I go on a retreat each fall, I could one for each of them.
Thanks! I would love to win this book!
Ruth
I would like to try the cross body bags.
Jean Palionis
I have been wondering what to do with the old jeans I have been saving besides making potholders! NOW I see there are many useful things. I would sure be able to use this book and DVD to help me clean out and use this stack of jeans. Thank you.☺
Inda Olinger
I’d like to make that ironing mat. The pockets on it would be a great time saver since they are already made. I never have enough storage for my sewing space.
Lori Crawford
I am working on blue jean quilts for my nieces and nephews. I need to get 5 done in 2018. I embroider some of their interest on squares and put their name on the quilt. Love the ideas I have seen.
Lori Crawford
I am working on blue jean quilts for my nieces and nephews. I need to get 5 done in 2018.
Lynn Hassebroek
I really like the mat under the sewing machine.
Lori Crawford
I am upcycling my children’s, neices and nephews jean. Making quilts for 19. The 3 I’ve already made turned out nice.
Lori Crawford
Making jean quilts for 19. The 3 I’ve already made turned out nice.
JaniceCarole Allen
I have planned to recycle some of jeans into a rag quilt. I am using disney patterns on one side and old jean fabric for the other side. It will be a gift for my son. The jean squares are cut and ready for use.
Shirley C
Clever ideas! Several cute ones for sewing organization!
Patti
I love recycling things including clothing. I was recently given some old coats and hope to make a purse/tote out of them. I need to exercise my creativity to be happy!
Bonnie Shaul
I was given some jeans to recycle by a co-worker.this book would come very handy to learn from.
Clovis
The ironing mat would be good to make. My mother said she saw the episode on recycling jeans.
OrahLee Hoose
I LOVE the pocket cubes! Since I never throw out jeans, I have enough pockets for several friends worth of cubes to make. The other ideas are too cute to not try too. I really need to win a copy of this book.
Pam
The soft sided containers and the cross body bag would be my first projects. Cute ideas!
Douglas Wendt
I try to recycle/upcycle fabric whenever possible.
CAROL L.
Making an ironing mat and mats with pockets for each of my sewing and serger machines!
scarter
I have several worn jeans from my husband and son that I have kept for projects just like these. Thanks for your inspiration.
Kathryn E
I would to make the cross-shoulder bag. So nice for shopping.
Susan Spiers
Plenty of old blue jeans – plenty of great ideas!
Beverly
I like several of these ideas, but really want to do a jeans upcycled apron for my granddaughter.
Peggy Bibb
Always have plenty of jeans on hand and plan to make quilts for grandkids this year. Love your ideas on how to use some of those jeans!
Bonnye
The double duty mat would help me organize some of my sewing items.
Thunder
I am working on a circle quilt, with jeans and flannel shirts. Jeans are from everyone in the family. Flannel is from shirts, from my step dad, husband and 3 sons !!
Carol burriss
Would like to start an up cycle project either with denim or if and I can collect enough ties I’d love to make a quilt with them (I’ve seen some really cute ideas)..
Kathleen Lamb
I had fun using a jeans pocket section to make a Christmas stocking to welcome a new member to the family. Since I have been saving old jeans for years, I have a lot of jeans fabric! I would love to learn to make more items!
Vivian Burrus
I have a bunch of jeans that I’ve been saving for a quilt project but I love the cross body bag and could see converting this idea into a tool pouch for when I’m gardening. Got to try this one with some of my jean “stash”!
Rita Skraba
I’m using old jeans saved by my family for place mats and fabric containers.
Rita Skraba
I’m planning to use some of my families old jeans for place mats and fabric containers.
Rhonda D in KY
I’m always looking for new projects and would love to use the 10-20-30 minutes to Recycle Jeans book. Think I would start with making an apron for my granddaughter to use when she’s in her little kitchen. I make a lot of toy type items for all the grandchildren.
Janet Duff
I want to make the soft sided containers. I could use several of them for storage.
Ila Jane Harris
I love all these projects! I think my first will be the jean pocket purse – love the idea.
Kathy Myers
I have a pink leather jacket i want to use for a purse. Maybe 2018 will see some sewing for me
Doreen Linehan
My mother has some old velour pants. I want to make them into doll blankets for my granddaughter.
Oyce
When my husband passed away I kept his ties to make a memory teddy bear. Now is the time to start.
Tee
I try to save my old blue jeans to repurpose. These are great ideas!
Charleen DiSante
I’d love to use my son-in-love’s jeans for a carpenter apron for him.
Charleen DiSante
I’d love to make a carpenter apron from my son-in-love’s worn jeans.
Brenda Nance
I love using old jeans for sewing projects. Right now I am making a quilt from old jeans. I hope to finish it in 2018.
Deborah Gilmore
Shopping bag out of old jeans
Edna Marks
Would make the sewing machine mat and soft sided bins to store sewing and quilting items.
Judy
I have a pile of jeans that I picked up at a yard sale years ago to redo into something. It is time to get at them before the mice do.
Linda
what Clever ideas
Gail Beam
I love the double duty mat! I have lots of jeans saved up and all three of my machines need one of these! I would love to win this book!
Marie
The soft-sided bins are sew cute. I have several pair of jeans that have shrunk and my husband can no longer wear them. LOL Think I’ll start cutting. I started a picnic blanket with squares cut from jeans last year, I’ll be finishing this up this year.
Ilana
I’ll be making a set of placemats from old jeans.
Noreen
I love reusing denim – it’s so durable! And Nancy put some great ideas in her book. I’d like to try the soft side bin with cute pockets all around.
Lj
I have lots of jeans ready to make a quilt with and the tops could be used to make the organizer, sewing mat and the bins. What wonderful ideas! Thanks!
Cheryl Cole
Have made 10 jean rag quilts for grandsons, but these ideas are great. Still have some jeans left!! The bins, the apron, oh the things I could make!!!
Cheryl Cole
Would love to try the ideas in this book. Have made 10 jeans quilts for the grands and ready for something new!
L Watson
I just used old jeans for the backing on pot holders for Christmas gifts, now I would like to make some for my use. I also have jean material cut up for a sewing machine cover I need to put together. The soft jean bins featured would be a great gift for my girls and nieces for next Christmas. Great repurposing ideas!
Kathe
I made picnic “blankets” for my kids with the pockets of the old jeans used for putting in napkins and tableware. I also made a “go to quilting class” bag large enough to hold a 24″ ruler as well as other necessary items. I would love to study Nancy’s book for more ideas!
Jamie Todhunter
I have not thought much about any projects for next year, recycled or not. I love the idea of turning old jeans into new and useful items.
Lynda A
I have a good collection of old denim clothes from my family, from the last 5 years, that are just waiting to be upcycled and repurposed. I would love this book for just that purpose. 2018 will be the year!
Michelle
I would love to make the double duty mat for my sewing area
Barbara
I made an apron for myself with embroidery on it, now my daughter wants one so we shall work on one together.
Janice Hobbs
As always, Nancy’s creativity shines in these techniques. What a wonderful way to upcycle, would love to try these ideas!
Bev S.
WOW so many great ideas to put to use with the large plastic container I have of denim scraps. Would make some really nice gifts to make with all the ideas Nancy featured in the book.
Anne Z.
I would love to make the denim casserole carrier. It would be so fun to take to picnics.
Alice
I have been cutting old worn out jeans for years, have piles ready to be used, but haven’t had the time or good ideas other than quilts. Would love to have the book for encouragement and instructions to use up some of this pile.
Dottie
I am excited to go back to sewing this new year. I would like to make the crossbody bag for myself and the soft sided bins for gifts for my granddaughters.
Sarah
I could see making jean place mats for picnics and at the beach, from one “Sewing with Nancy” I saw!!!! They look like a fun, thing to have and make!
Patricia Wester
I like to take plain squares of jeans fabric and embroider veggies and fruit designs on them. Then I put them together and make grocery tote bags out of them.
Sheryl Oberle
I made 4″ bean bags from recycled denim. I machine embroidered capital and small letters of the alphabet on each side of the bag and made 26 of each for all letters of the alphabet. Gave to an elementary teacher for her classroom to help the students learn the abc’s and to form words as her students are beginning reading.
Suzan
I think this would be a great idea for my four great-nieces. They are interested in learning to sew and we began our first lessons this week. They did great!
Sandra Corlett
I have many aprons but none are made from recycled jeans so making an apron would be my number one choice. I’d add a bib on top because I like to protect my clothes. After a bad car accident, my daughter made me a small cross body bag from jeans pockets when I needed to wear clothes without pockets. I used it for my cell phone so it was always handy.
Bridget
My next recycled project is cutting up my children’s receiving blankets to make a larger quilt for their children.
Carol
The apron is so useful and cute too. It would make a fun gif for anyone who spends time in the kitchen. This is a great way to still get some use out of the many pairs of jeans that no longer fit and are just taking up space in the closet.
Roberta A.
This would be a great book to have. I have several pairs of jeans I bought at Goodwill to make some things for my granddaughters and never got to make them. Would be great to win this book and use the jeans.
JoanneTillery
I have a large collection of jeans for recycling, and would love to use some of the ideas in this book.
lois willingham
I’m going to raid hubbys closet for those jeans we is hording . hes not going to wear them they shrunk. and I can make some use for them , lol
lois willingham
I’m going to raid Hubbys closet for those jeans we is hording . he;s not going to wear them they shrunk. and I can make some use for them , lol
E. Watson
I could see making the jean bins, and jean placemats for at the beach and for picnics.