How to Get the Most Fabric Out of Old Jeans!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

What do you make out of old jeans?

[@deborahross550]

For years I have been repairing the crotch of jeans with sashiko stitching and mending. My son loves the mending and they last years

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab! I don’t think my husband would go for that style but I can picture it looking very cool.

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

I Keep all the pieces & use the material to upcycle some zipper type hoody jackets and patch work. I just remove the zipper and fit in a panel of denim to make a pull over. I also like to put the pockets on quilts and pillows for kids, I call them tooth fiery pockets ;) But kids like having pockets in there bedding, makes more work for mom though lol Nobody likes finding food or candy in the pockets lol

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

The flap on the zipper is called a fly ;)

[@petrasembroiderycreations3410]

I use old jeans to make handbags out of them. The back pockets can also be incorporated for the bags.

[@connieking9873]

I have saved my husbands work jeans for over 30 years. I didn’t save anything extra but the pockets. I cut material into 6” squares and saved them until I started having grand children and now great grands. For the most part I did not put batting. I made rag quilts with X’s or stars to sandwich the front and back. Sometime I sewed 4 squares together to make larger blocks. Just right for baby quilts somewhere around 40-50 “ square. For the backing I used star fabric beige prints and pinks. For family I included a note that the quilt was made with love from Papas farm jeans. I still have a very large bag of pockets sitting in my closet.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Lovely to give them quilts made from his jeans. I’m sure they love them!

[@Renee-Soleil]

This is a wonderful idea. I wanted to give my son's grandmother a quilt made from his clothes. I was thinking of using his jeans as batting

[@elizdonovan5650]

Try putting a large patch on the inside of the jeans when new. It may extend the life of the jeans.😊

[@jeanfletcher3223]

When I was in college decades ago I started a denim "quilt", cutting around a template. It really killed my hands. 20+ years later I had rotary cutter and mat. That made it easier to get it finished. The first part I'd sewn together at that time, decided it was not as big as I wanted and set it aside. #1son has it now and loves it. The new jeans I'm cutting up now I find have glue to keep the fabric in the pockets flat before they are sewn.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Interesting about the glue.

[@sableeldon5242]

You inspired me to try making a denim quilt so I have been saving our jeans. I had no idea people will recycle the seams and waistbands - good to know they can be donated or sold. I kept the top part ( above the crotch around including the pockets) of a pair of my old jeans and am making a garden apron with it. Seeing how you breakdown your jeans, I can see how to increase my denim yardage. Great tutorial- thank you

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks so much! Glad it was helpful.

[@cjane51]

This was a great help Kristen. I enjoy your videos. Very helpful . I have about 50 pairs of jeans sitting on the floor of my sewing room and no idea what to do with them . I’m interested in using them in quilts or in clothing. Not of fan of the jeans converted to skirt thing. I did that over 50 years ago . Yes, I’m that old and more and proud to be 73. -Claudia

[@ScrapFabricLove]

You can make a lot of quilts with that many jeans! Have fun!

[@peggylawson4243]

In order to save hubby's jeans, have you tried a sturdy fusible interfacing or, if you can find it, a reinforcing knee patch (used for kids jeans) to apply to the wrong side

[@Flash-sr8hm]

I have a denim rug on my kitchen floor that is made from denim jean seams and belts zig-zag stitched together with a black backing. It looks amazing.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Brilliant!

[@gerrysiebert8639]

I make purses, bags fr our old jeans, jean jackets. You inspired me to make scrap denim placemats, napkin holders. Seams were made into hot pads. Not a quilter btw but love your channel.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab projects! And thanks so much for watching. Glad you liked the placemats!

[@michele6708]

Impressive that you do as much denim sewing as you do. I made one quilt using old jeans-and that will be my last one. Oh my God, they shed lint more than minky does! My machine was a hot mess and had to be cleaned every bobbin (not just in the bobbin area-the entire machine and table!) I gave a friend all of the leftovers. Too much hassle between cutting and cleaning. I do love the look, so I think I will just buy denim look cotton in future. The quilts are really heavy and will be durable-so my denim quilt will live it my car as a beautiful picnic throw.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Somehow that has never bothered me! We all have different tolerance levels for different things I guess 🤷‍♀️

[@dale3404]

@@ScrapFabricLoveI haven’t noticed a big problem with denim lint. Mostly it’s the stringy raveling. Now, that minky fabric…Never, again, except for the grandkids ‘ bathrobes. Once they’re adults, they can buy RTW.

[@laurielarue7776]

very informative...thank you for sharing. I also use all the frayed threads and fluff to put into zippered pillow cases for dog beds that I donate to dog shelters.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab!

[@lindachase2667]

Excellent video on cutting up jeans, the best one I have seen, I have made quilts, placemats, tea cozies, bags, pillows. Thank you for sharing.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks so much!

[@twofoursevenbeauty]

I never knew there was a market for denim seams! I usually unpick them as I like the detail of the fabric once it's been unpicked. You also get another 2 - 3 inches of fabric. I love making bags (purses) 🙂

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab! I don’t know if I have the patience to unpick but I can appreciate the effort!

[@debragerum7678]

I’m currently using my dad’s jeans as a pieced backing of memory quilts for mom and my siblings.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

That’s lovely. I wish I had thought to keep some of my Dad’s jeans. I have some thirts but haven’t cut them up yet. I’m sure your family will love their memory quilts.

[@debragerum7678]

@@ScrapFabricLove I’m also using his flannel shirts and a few of his button down shirts too.

[@sharonkulick7307]

I’ve been saving my jeans for a while, but have yet to make a project with them. I plan to make a jean bag using the pockets and eventually a jean quilt. Your beautiful quilt videos have been an inspiration.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Have fun with your projects!

[@Loridye3605]

Thank you for showing how to cut jeans for fabric. I was wondering how it was done to get the most out of the jeans. Have you ever thought about using the back pocket as a label to attach to the back of your quilt to write your info on?

[@ScrapFabricLove]

No I hadn’t but that’s a cute idea!

[@Charlie-tb6un]

Always love your denim videos! ❤

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks so much!

[@jilbertb]

I like to pick the seams apart from the inside, as it's a chain stitch. Then I can use the seam without the bulk and top stitch it later if I want. My favorite upcycle idea is, I like to cut the legs off 1" below rear pocket and across the front at a slight upward angle just below zipper, then take a square piece of fabric (folded into 1/4, then an 1/8 like an ice cream cone shape) and cut a circle out in the center (~equal to the cut jean width, use a circle skirt calculator from google) and sew the circle on to the jeans. Really cool skirt, with pointy hem or you can make it round too. You can make it a mini, middy or a maxi. One layer or multi layers. You can also cut the add on fabric hole, off center for a really cool look!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Sounds cool!

[@austinwilloughby3439]

My husband has the same problem! I make potholder that are good and thick! Going to try rugs! Placemats are nice, too.

[@10thdoctordtfan]

Love hearing how other people cut up their denim jeans! I have a dining table with 8 chairs that I am going to make a star pattern for the seat cushions. I have different colored jeans, including some black that make the pattern really nice on a chair seat. I also made some rag quilts that I love the frayed edges on. I have one on the back of my couch that I also used part of the jeans waistband to hold the two sides together on the end. I made a strap from the band and used the button and the button hole to keep the quilt on the couch. They always seem to slide off too easily!

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Love it!

[@sharonjohnson7458]

I love how you recycle things. I also need to clean out my sewing room. I am going to check the link on where to sell things. I am getting older, and probably not be around long enough to use up my stash. I have a box of old jeans and have been wanting to do something with them. I am glad I ran onto this video today. I will definitely be checking out your tutorials of the jean quilts you have made. I have made mostly small quilts. I call them I spy quilts. I have made them for my great grandchildren. I also took one to a family reunion where we had an auction to raise money for supplies for the next years auction. I did put it in the auction. I do want to move on to other quilts. for starters, I want to make a quilt to take to the park to have a picnic on.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I love I spy quilts and picnic quilts! Have fun with whatever you make and I hope you manage to sell a few things you don’t love anymore. Good luck!

[@sharondauz880]

Thank you so much for the info on what to do with old jeans. I have been saving them for years, and finally made placemats after watching your videos. The placemats look great with the tiny pops of color. Now I want to use the seams to make some dog toys for my grand puppy. I also want to make your orange peel quilt which I love. Thank you so much. 18:19

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks! So glad this was useful! And glad you liked the placemats too!

[@19Celia57]

I will definitely give this a few days and read the comments again! My oldest grandson (24) has the same blow out problem on his jeans. His wife and mom have laughed about this for years and we have ALL tried to find a solution, but to no avail! 🤣😆

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I knew my husband couldn’t be the only one!

[@imogenethomas1138]

I used part of a jeans leg to make a phone bag. I used the inseam to make the strap. Very handy.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab!

[@judymeyer1760]

I cut my jeans pretty much the same way you do but had no idea I could sell the extra parts. I plan on making simple scrappy blankets for outside. My dance teacher daughter cut some into short strips and tied it onto hemp for a western dance swag decoration🥰

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Cool! Good luck with your Jean projects!

[@mariejohns1387]

I used the pockets for the bags i made. Great for cell phones

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab!

[@debragerum7678]

I do keep the pockets as well. I’ve used them on placemats then put a napkin and silverware in the pocket.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab!

[@vivianestrada4710]

So happy I came upon your channel I have a lot of Jean waist bands pockets etc. I did not know there was a market for these good to know love your quilts

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thank you!

[@growitpickitjamit5453]

Duluth Double Ballroom blue jeans are what I get my husband . He had the same issue.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks! Someone else said Duluth too- we’ll give it a try!

[@katehenry2718]

Weaver and quilter 65 years. NEVER though to use the seams for anything but bonfire. Ebay has LOTS of auctions for these seams lots. I am amazed. I have used a couple for ties for plants, but that's it. ... the things ya larn! eh? started cutting old jeans to make the diagonal stripe quilt blocks, and now the Christmas tree crumb blocks. )))

[@ScrapFabricLove]

People buy all sorts of things you wouldn’t expect!

[@theresamitchel7056]

Ive made a couple quilts with jeans. I like improv and sometimes use the hem and sometimes not. I'm very willy nilly that way😂

[@QUILTINGCHAP]

Thank you so much for this information. Had no idea you could sell those extravparts. I’m just happy they won’t go in the landfill. I’ve been saving some, so I’ll look to see if we can sell them in the US.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Hope you find someone who wants them!

[@ShadowMoonFarms]

Thanks for sharing

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks for watching!

[@Sam_the_quilter]

I tried making a dog bed out of all jeans, but my sew machine at the time couldn’t handle it cause it was just a tiny little brother machine. Now that I have a straight stitch semi industrial I’ll give it a go again.😂

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Yes definitely time for another go!

[@virginiagrenier8572]

I have cut off the legs to be used in rag quilts. Then I stitch the legs of the upper portion of the jeans shut, creating a pouch, stitch some Velcro to the waistband to be able to close the pouch. I've used them to hold jumper cables in the car, purses, tote bags, etc.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Fab!

[@evetsdrawdoow3342]

The flap above the fly is called a fly shield. For cutting through the bar tack on pockets I use a craft knife - the sort where you break off the blade when it's blunt. More user friendly than a double edged razor blade.

[@aleciahanun3823]

My husband would always wear a hole in his jeans at bottom of pocket. I started using denim iron on patches on wrong side of jeans in area hole would show up. I did this when jeans were new after first wash and made sure they were ironed down well. It did strengthen area and holes did not show up not sure if it would help in you circumstance but maybe worth a try.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Yeah I would patch them if it ripped anywhere else but once they get a rip in that region any patch probably won’t hold for long!

[@destrygraves]

I think she is suggesting putting a patch on the actual pocket before the jeans are worn. It’s a great idea.

[@patriciam4861]

Thanks Kristin! I had no idea people buy denim seams! Amazing!!

[@SaraMc-ez2mv]

I was going to suggest a patch on the inside when they are new before they wear out too!

[@donnalewis4895]

Keys are notorious for making holes there. I solved that issue by putting them on a hook and using the belt loop to hold them. Makes it easier too for us ladies to not have to dig in a handbag just clip them to the strap

[@delwyngraham4033]

I’m going to make Jean circle quilt, I think they call it cathedral circle so need lots of circles about 7 inch😊

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Sounds fab! Good luck with it!

[@stitchinginthebarn8307]

I'm just over halfway done with this style quilt in king size. My goal is to finish it for this winter. I love it but I'm not making another one. I used a lot of jeans but I still have a lot more left over. You can get a lot of circles out of a large pair of men's jeans, like 16+. So depending on the size of quilt & jeans, you don't need a lot of jeans. My centers have batting, for extra weight, and our old t-shirts with no interfacing, less work & not needed using t-shirts this way. My next one is using hexagon shaped denim with my scrap quilting cotton cut in a larger hexagon & wrapped over the cut edges like binding. These will then get butted together & zigzag stitched together. I'm using the hex and more ruler to cut 4.5inch hexagons for the denim and 6.5inch hexagons for the scrap fabric.

[@wendykeyser6706]

So interesting!

[@bkvdpw]

I'm harvesting jeans to make a quilt. I like heavy blankets and figure that's a good way to get one. If you have access to a laser engraver, you can have information or designs engraved on the piece behind the pockets (the part that isn't faded) for labels on items. The unfaded parts work best because it offers the best contrast. The engraving basically bleaches the color out of the fabric and, depending on the makeup of the fabric, can result in some pretty detailed engraving. DON'T try it with stretch jeans. Most of them get really ugly! Really fast!

[@jmur8784]

I'm saving jeans for another Shaggy Denim Quilt for my older son. Bigger bed, bigger quilt.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Sounds fab!

[@debdietz833]

Thank you ! Very helpful ! Btw.... I found a few tutorials on KZbin under denim crotch repair might interest you🙂

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks! Maybe I’ll send one to my husband 😂 - no way I’m mending the amount of jeans he rips! 😂

[@bkvdpw]

@@ScrapFabricLove Uhh . . . no! Then you'd lose your source!! :)

[@ScrapFabricLove]

@bkvdpw 😂

[@patcunningham8279]

hidey thing is the "fly"

[@NancySwartz-h1b]

Duluth Trading Company has great mens jeans with a gusset in the crotch area-solves that tearing issue.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Thanks! Not so easy to find here but might be worth him buying them from the states if he wears them out less!

[@patriciam4861]

Zipper placket! I think!

[@RoseWaddell-jj7oe]

When he buys new jeans, try putting a iron on patch in that area before he starts wearing them.

[@nicolamoering8938]

I made a jeans quilt for my daughter when she started college 32 years ago and now my granddaughter has it in college to take to horseshows and football games. They last forever

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Awesome!

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

I would have mended his jeans (and waited for a pair that was more faded). Is it something he does that causes that type of tear to his jeans? A piece of equipment that tears his jeans? I've never seen jeans torn that way. My jeans wears out between the legs. I have repaired jeans where a back pocket was ripped off on one side (where a wallet was pushed and pulled out to many times). When my jeans get too tight or too loose, I usually give them away. I'm not allowed to wear jeans to work. I have never used any denim in any of my quilts.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

We can’t figure it out. His thighs are bigger than his waist is the most we can work out but it doesn’t make much sense. If it was anywhere other than that area I would have patched them but I’ve tried before and it just happens again!

[@rachelrichards8312]

The damaged part of the jeans is likely where a man will tuck his bits to one side of the zip for comfort. That side will usually stress the fabric. Men have different clothing challenges to women. Bravo for recycling every last scrap.

[@bneal9236]

re: the tear area. Could it be this is where keys or items in pocket push on the fabric and cause the fabric to wear and tear?

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I’ll mention that!

[@SimplySarah-74]

Duluth jeans have an extra gusset in the crotch.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Cool - I’ll mention that to him. Hopefully they sell those in the UK!

[@diannplatt-roberts8692]

Darn! I threw out a lot of the things you are keeping. I have saved jeans to make a car quilt.

[@lfuentes4098]

I just threw out a bunch of jeans. I saved some good scraps but I never thought that there was a marketplace for the scraps. They were Kirkland jeans and pretty filthy and well worn so I thought I was safe tossing those.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

There is a market for all sorts. Even denim with some paint or oil marks are of interest to folk who like to make the denim they use to look visibly re-used.

[@donnalewis4895]

When your husband squats down to pick up something if he would pinch the jeans below pcket level and pull them up a bit it would put less stress on the crotch area. For people that bust out at the knees you can pinch the fabric thigh level and pull them up a bit this puts less strain on the knees. Neither of these will work if pants are skin tight.

[@donnabernia8884]

One size bigger and suspenders

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Interesting!

[@elaineforan4751]

I wonder, does your husband carry keys or something sharp in his pocket when he sits down? He may be weakening the area and starting a rip. Maybe.

[@ScrapFabricLove]

I’ll ask him that. Maybe keys but not sure.

[@KW3908]

FYI "zipper placket"

[@maryb1342]

Needs shorter inseam.. when he bends his knees he pulls and rips that area

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Interesting-I’ll tell him - thanks!

[@СветланаКоломыйченко-ц1ж]

Эту процедуру можно было показать за 5 минут.

[@elizabethbovee3650]

Please make your 5 minute video. Thank you ☺️

[@Renee-Soleil]

4:40 My uncle used to get leather patches and sew them to the crotches of his jeans to kind of make his own saddlebacks. He worked really hard and didn't want to give up the jeans so he just kept patching over any rips

[@ScrapFabricLove]

Good for him! I keep suggesting my husband stitch his own patches but he seems to think it is beyond him 😂