If you’ve tried any of the projects included in my list of 30 Denim Upcycling Ideas, you may have some leftover denim scraps. If you can use scissors, a sewing machine, and tweezers, you can make these DIY placemats made from jeans.
This same method can be applied to any shape of placemats. I made round placemats to use on our round dining table.
DIY Denim Coasters
Make a set of these denim coasters from the pockets of jeans. They make great gifts!
How to Make Denim DIY Placemats
You can make one DIY placemat with just the legs from an adult size pair of jeans. This round placemat is 14″ across and is reversible. Bonus…they’re machine washable!!
Materials & Tools
- jeans (1 pair per placemat)
- Soft & Stable byannie.com (or quilt batting)
- thread
- basic sewing supplies
- circle template
- tweezers
Begin by cutting pieces large enough to create a patchwork design for one side of a round placemat.
With the rest of the jeans legs, cut strips of denim. The strips don’t need to be even or equal in width.
Create a 14″ circle template on a piece of paper. This will act as a guide for the fabric layout and cutting the round placemat.
Arrange the denim pieces leaving edges exposed for fraying later. Pin in place and sew. I used a gold thread commonly used for jeans stitching.
Trace your circle template and cut out of the front and back sides of the pieced together denim. Cut the Soft & Stable (or quilt batting) 1/2″ smaller than the denim pieces. The outer edges of the denim will then have room for fraying, and the batting will stay hidden inside the denim placemat.
Layer the three pieces of the placemat, pin or clip and sew around the edge with a 1/2″ seam allowance.
I added a double topstitch around the perimeter of the round placemat.
Grab a glass of wine and tweezers and start fraying by pulling out one thread at a time. You’ll find that some pull out easier than others.
Keep fraying until all of the edges and strips are frayed.
Trim any excess threads or leave them to hang if you like the look.
I love a good denim upcycle project. Since these denim placemats hit my table, I haven’t taken them off. They’re so easy to make and look great with the DIY denim coasters too.
More Denim Upcycling Ideas
Denim fabric is so durable and versatile. Here are some great ideas for upcycling denim jeans.
The backside looks just as good!
Did you make a set of these DIY placemats?
Show me pictures by tagging @scratchandstitch on Instagram or by email.
These denim placemats are gorgeous. I love the fraying detail.
Thanks Claire! That’s a great compliment coming from you (the queen of blue jeans) :)
Brilliant! Another project for my stash of old jeans. I love the circles — so many table projects are square cornered.
May you have the best most creative of days!
I agree! Our kitchen table is a circle so the circular placemats work so much better.
I’ve made coasters from jeans but yours are nicer. I have a suggestion though. I save the lids from plastic food containers and put them between the two layers of denim. That way moisture won’t soak through the denim and ruin tables.
What a wonderful idea, and great secondary upcycle! Thanks for sharing. :)
Do you wash them in the sink or washer and hang dry?
I just toss them in the washing machine with a load. :)
Thank you for posting this idea ! Your design is very well thought out. Thanks for sharing it ! I love my new placemats 🤩😍🥰
The fraying concept is a great look. Perfect for upcycling. Thank you
The frayed edges really do bring it all together. :)
Thank you! What a great round-up of projects to be included in :)