There’s something comforting about slipping on a good pair of denim jeans. We wear them until they are worn out and sometimes buy them to look already worn in. The obsession we have with blue jeans means we may accumulate a pile of sturdy jean fabric to make these denim upcycling ideas.
Denim Upcycling Ideas
From DIY home goods to refashioned accessories there are enough denim upcycling ideas to clear the thrift store shelves of jeans.
DIY Frayed Denim Pouch
Use a portion of a pair of old jeans to create this simple frayed edge zipper pouch.
Upcycled Denim Luggage Tags
Use this free sewing pattern and tutorial to make your own upcycled denim luggage tags.
DIY Denim Rug
There are denim upcycling ideas from floor to ceiling. Turn a stack of jeans into a DIY rug.
How to Reuse Denim Jeans Seams
Learn how you can use up every last scrap of denim from your jeans upcycle projects.
Woven Denim Basket
Update a wire basket with woven denim strips. Tip: search thrift stores for vintage wire baskets.
DIY Coasters Made from Jeans
Make a set of upcycled denim coasters from the pockets of jeans. They make great gifts!
Upcycled Denim Placemats
Create a set of beautiful denim placemats with frayed details. One pair of jeans will make one placemat.
Upcycled Denim Quilt Mat
Learn how to make this beautiful quilted mat from a pair of jeans. You’ll also learn how to make a pillow using the same technique.
DIY Denim Feathers
Claire is a genius of upcycling ideas, especially with denim jeans. These feathers are a great way to use up denim scraps.
DIY Jeans Bag
If you’ve never made a DIY jeans bag, you should. Here is an easy to follow tutorial that’ll have you packing your bags.
Upcycled Denim Baby Shoes
DIY baby projects are some of the most fun things to make. And these denim shoes are some of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.
Denim Basket
When you’ve used up the rest of your denim with other upcycled projects, turn the felled seams into a basket.
Upcycled Christmas Decorations
This denim upcycling ideas list wouldn’t be complete without some handmade Christmas decorations. These tabletop trees can be customized in so many ways to match your holiday theme.
DIY Denim Tote
Turning an old pair of jeans into a tote bag is a great upcycle project. This is another way to take advantage of the durability of denim and would make a great market tote.
DIY Wreath with Denim and Felt Roses
Use the felled seams of denim jeans to wrap a wreath form. Add a pop of color with DIY felt roses.
DIY Denim Basket Tutorial
Learn to make a sturdy denim scrap rope basket with this picture tutorial.
Denim Purse
Make this upcycled denim purse from your old jean legs. There’s a second option to create a beautiful woven bag too.
Denim Windsock
Wave the American spirit in the wind with a DIY American Flag Windsock made with denim jeans.
Upcycling Ideas Denim Potholders
These DIY denim potholders are one of those “why didn’t I think of that” projects. Use the back pockets and belt loops to make DIY potholders.
Denim Jeans Upcycling Idea
Not only is a DIY tote an easy project to make, but this video tutorial is also mesmerizing.
Upcycled Denim Stuffed Animal Pattern
Turn your old jeans into a durable stuffed animal. These denim whales come with a free pattern and tutorial.
DIY Denim Pouch Upcycled Craft
I can’t get over this idea! Everyone is getting a little jeans pocket for Christmas this year.
DIY Wall Organizer
This is a great way to use up jeans pockets while creating some vertical organization.
Denim Stuffed Animals
Give your old jeans new life by turning them into denim stuffed animals. They are more durable than many store-bought stuffed animals. You can find free stuffed animal patterns here.
Upcycled Denim Purse
This cute bucket bag was created from an old pair of jeans and some fabric scraps. Make sure to watch her other inspiring videos while you’re over there!
Upcycled Denim Backpack
When my husband offered me an old pair of Levis, I turned them into a small backpack for our toddler. The felled seams, pockets, and stitching details helped bring the design together.
DIY Denim Throw Pillow
With some careful cutting and piecing you can sew a brand new chevron denim pillow made from upcycled jeans.
Easy Denim Pouch
Have leftover denim scraps from your other upcycling projects? Use them up by making these denim pouches with this easy to follow tutorial.
Upcycled Denim Rug
Who wouldn’t want this beautiful denim rug in their home? Get all the details on how to make your own.
How to Mend Jean Holes
Before you start cutting into well-worn jeans, have you considered hand-mending? Here’s how to get started.
Do these upcycled jeans projects have you sorting through your old jeans? I hope you’re inspired to turn those denims into something new and useful. Share your denim upcycling ideas in the comments below.
yessss! thanks for these great ideas for old jeans, I have so many of those and usually just give them away! I’ll definitely try some of these!
Glad you can enjoy! :)
I have saved jeans for over 30 years now. It is time to do something with them. Thank you for sharing your idesa.
Wow! That must be quite the collection. Time to start making :)
Dang! And I feel I’m pretty good with my grammatical skills. Updating right now :)
Thanks a bunch! Teaching students to sew and recycle and needed ideas! You have been a great help!
Both are great topics to learn young. Glad to hear I could play a part in your teaching and their learning :)
I make quilts, pillows and teddy bears for widows, grandchildren, children…. Then they always have a bit of their “daddy” right there with them.
Bean bag chair. Made one for a boyfriend back in high school (way before you were even born!) – he loved it!
Yesssss! It would so durable too. :)
I made my Husband’s retriever a warm coat.son-in-law’s jeans and lined with corduroy. Some wadding across the back for extra warmth.
Pups need warm (upcycled) coats too :)
I use denim on my coffee cans to make canisters and I use the pockets to hold little things in. I just started using denim two years ago. I will try alot of your patterns. Thank you
That’s an awesome idea that would work well in my craft studio!
When we get a house of our own again I’m go to try and do more things with the denim projects what is yours and mine. I have ideas of my own too. See we moved to Alabama to help out my husband’s dad and mom
I do have one question: can demin be heated in the microwave?
I don’t see why not, just as long as there are no metal rivets or anything. Fabric is used in the microwave often in our house for hot moist towels and homemade rice filled heating pads.
Upholstered chair & car seats with denim.
Ooooh, I’d love to see a car interior covered in denim!
I make bucket hats from old jeans. I buy them from the op shops for $2 a pair. I search out woven fabric as stretch too hard to handle for hat fit. You have some great ideas for using the off tuts. That pocket wall hanger is a must for the pockets. I’m working on using the pockets for a hand towel hanger. Great post so pleased to find it. Thank you
Thanks Marilyn – Denim is so versatile and durable, it’s hard to not use them up for other things. I have a bag of denim scraps and old jeans ready for new projects. I would love to make bucket hats. Do you have any good tips or a pattern to reference?
I design and make little denim gift plaques for all occasions, denim trim chalkboards and denim magnets. Currently on a range of denim prints for greeting cards too. I love old denim jeans. One day I cut an old pair up and started creating!
That’s wonderful! My first ever sewing project was made from an old pair of jeans over 20 years ago. And I still make with upcycled denim.
Wow some great ideas thank you so much!!!!!
You’re welcome! Glad to hear you’ve been inspired. :)
Thanks all these denim patterns have been so helpful for my high school fashion class!
That’s so wonderful to hear Emily! Thank you for sharing. :) I would love to see pics if you have them.
Amazing ideas thank you, my art class, will never know I stole your website.
“Borrowed” 😉
Send pics! I would love to see what your art class is up to. :)
The reason I am on your site is the fact I just inherited lots of blue jeans. I want to make good use of them.
Reusing denim is fun and gratifying!