14 Ways to Repurpose Old Jeans

Put tough, leftover denim to new use with a repurposing project.

It pains me to throw away old jeans, which is why I have a stash of holey, worn-out pairs stored in the back of my closet. Emotional attachment is part of the issue; throwing them out feels like rejecting an old friend. But, trashing them also feels wrong because the rest of the jeans are still intact, except for those darn holes, and I hate unnecessary waste.

This is why I’ve been searching for ways to repurpose beloved old jeans, rather than tossing them in the garbage, or even in the local textile recycling bin. Denim is such a tough, resistant fabric that it’s great for repurposing.

Here are 14 interesting ideas I found, which means those old jeans will soon find new life—and hopefully yours will, too. Most of these projects require some knowledge of sewing, but learning to hand or machine stitch is easy and fun, and the skill will likely come in handy throughout your life.

1. Sew Some Funky Denim Cocktail Napkins

I love the bleached stamps and decorated stitching along the edges, perfect for using during a casual get-together.

2. Make a Twisted Denim Headband

No more bad hair days with this cool accessory that's bound to turn heads.

3. Twist a Braided Denim Rug

Made of tough fabric, a DIY denim rug will be able to stand up to any kind of human or animal use. Just braid strips of your old jeans to create a cozy focal point for your bedroom or family room.

4. Turn Old Jeans Into Potholders

Stitch together a few layers of denim and you won't be able to feel the heat of a pot or pan coming off the stove or out of the oven. You could also use a denim potholder as a trivet.

5. Make Handy Little Craft Bins for Holding Supplies

Want another simple idea? Cover empty cans with layers of denim for decoration and then store little objects inside.

6. Wear a ‘Shabby Chic’ Denim-Wire Bracelet

Try a braided denim bracelet or cuffs made from the leftover seams of old jeans.

7. Make a Cute Heart-Shaped Corner Bookmark

If you want to make a super-cute, heart-shaped bookmark, you'll need to have minimal knowledge of sewing. This repurposed craft, however, would make such a perfect stocking stuffer.

8. Stitch a Denim Case for Knitting Needles

No more frantic searching for a knitting needle of the right size because a denim case will let you sort them nicely.

9. Create Upcycled Denim Placemats

You can make purposed denim placements complete with a pocket for cutlery. You'll have to save multiple pairs of old jeans to complete a full table setting.

10. Turn Old Jeans and T-Shirts Into Adorable Baby Bibs

Think of everything your jeans have endured; they're probably the best fabric to handle spit-up and chewed food. So, turn them into cute baby bibs for moms or moms-to-be you know, or ask your local women's shelter if they can use them.

11. Convert Jeans Into Portable Fabric ‘Roads’ for Car-Loving Toddlers

I love the idea of painting roads on old jeans and turning them into a highway for toy cars (I wish I'd known about it a few years ago!). Your kids will never be without entertainment with this project, as long as they have a few vehicles to drive.

12. Decorate Your Home Office

Make a cool denim bulletin board and pencil cube. Just get a large piece or cork or cardboard and cover it with one or more wide strips of denim. You can even frame the project if you want.

13. Cover a Notebook With Old Denim

I'm thinking this would be a fun group project for an older kid's birthday party. These repurposed book covers will cost you less and be a lot more interesting than those you'll find in your store's back-to-school section.

I love these. They look so casual and comfortable, and are likely to create some interest.

14. Make a Pocket Organizer Using Old Jeans

Stay organized with pre-made pockets simply rearranged on a new background.