If you’re not sure how high you want your cutoffs, be conservative. You can always cut off more denim. However, you can’t add more back once you’ve cut off too much. You don’t need to throw away the legs once you cut them off. You can use the material for rags, ties, or patches (see below).
One beginner-friendly option is to use a cheese grater or a square of sandpaper to wear out your jeans’ knees. Shred until white, worn areas begin to develop or you have a set of ragged holes — whichever you prefer. This is also a good opportunity to get rid of stains. Shred the stained area until the stain is gone.
Open the inside seam of both legs. Stitch the front part of both legs together to form a new front seam for your skirt. Stitch a large piece of fabric between the back part of each leg to complete the skirt. Trim the skirt to your desired length.
To get two patches that are the same size and shape, use a fabric knife or a set of scissors to cut through both layers of denim (front and back) at the same time.
Cut the jeans to the length you want your apron. For a short apron, cut an inch or so below the pockets. For a longer apron, cut in the middle of the leg. Starting at the top of the zipper, cut horizontally until you reach the side seam. Repeat for the other side. Sew the legs together to make the front of the apron. Put the jeans on backwards so that the pockets are in front. Fasten the waistband behind you to get it to stay on.
Mix 2. 5 parts water and 1 part bleach in a large bucket. If you want a blotchy, tie-dye like pattern, gather small sections of jean fabric and bind them into tight “buds” with rubber bands. Dip the jeans into the bleach mixture. Let them sit for 30-60 minutes (longer will give a lighter color). Remove the jeans and rinse with clean water. Dry as normal.
Soak the jeans in bleach until they are as white as possible. Rinse with water to neutralize the bleach. Let the jeans dry. While you wait, mix fabric dye according to the instructions. Dip the dry bleached jeans in the fabric dye while wearing leather gloves. Stir the mixture so that they are evenly coated. Dip several more times, wringing out the moisture between dips. Rinse in water with a little detergent to set the dye. Let the jeans dry.
Drawings and doodles. Use a permanent marker or a fabric marker to get designs that stay in your jeans for more than one wash cycle. You may want to trace in pencil first to avoid mistakes. Rhinestones and studs. Use a sturdy fabric-safe glue for durability. Fancy buttons. Replace the button on your jeans with something more unique or decorative, like a sturdy flower-shaped button or a fabric-covered button in a fun pattern. Negative space designs. Trace shapes or designs on your jeans, then carefully cut them out with a fabric knife or set of scissors. Your skin will show through the hole, creating eye-catching contrast.
Cut the legs off just below the crotch (as if you were making a very short pair of cutoffs). Cut the crotch seam and trim both sides to get something similar to a very short skirt. Stitch the bottom flaps of the “skirt” together to make the bottom of the bag. Cut two long, skinny strips of fabric from the leftover leg material. Stitch these to the top of the bag to make two handles.
One simple way to get good-looking rags is to trace two straight, parallel lines across the front of one leg. Cut across both these lines to get a looped section of denim. Slice down one or both seams to get either one or two rags. To make pot holders, fold the rags to double- or triple-up the material, then stitch them shut.
Use a large tube-shaped pad instead of a square to make a neck pillow that’s great for painful kinks.
Borax is a safe, cheap laundry additive. You can usually find it in the laundry section of department stores or via online retailers.
For example, if you want to keep your ladder from scratching your gutters, cut two wide strips of fabric from your jeans. Glue them to both sides of your ladder at the top. When you rest the ladder against the gutters, the soft denim will make contact, rather than the hard metal. Another easy idea is to cut small circles of denim and fix them to the bottom of furniture legs to keep them from scratching the floor.
You can also try giving the jeans to people you know who are interested in crafts and DIY projects (like the ones above) for use as raw materials.
Check other ads for jeans in your area before you price yours. You want to pick a competitive price to stand a good chance of selling your jeans. Be sure to clearly list the size, maker, and style of the jeans in your ad. Note any areas of wear. Being honest is important for your reputation as a seller. [4] X Research source
Don’t forget to keep the receipt — you can deduct the donation from your taxes. [7] X Research source
Local art programs can use denim for rags, craft materials, and paint applicators. House-building charities (Habitat for Humanity, etc. ) sometimes use jeans as insulation.
