Maybe your trusty old pair of jeans has worn out, or doesn’t fit anymore. Or maybe you have that pair that looked perfect when you bought them but haven’t gotten any use. If you can avoid it, it’s always best not to throw old clothes away. If they’re in good enough condition, you can donate them to give them a second life. However, if you’re feeling particularly crafty, that denim might be able to get a second life another way — it may have more uses than you think. Here is how students can upcycle old jeans.
Make Cutoffs
This is probably the simplest way you can reuse a pair of jeans. Maybe your jeans have developed some wear and tear around the knees or ankles, but the waist still fits. In that case, simply cut them off as long as you’d like, and now you are the proud owner of a pair of jorts. If you don’t want them to fray, you can sew a hem, otherwise you can let them fray for a more distressed look.
Make a Headband
This is another great easy option for how to repurpose your jeans. If you already own a headband, you can use it as a pattern, otherwise approximate it by cutting two strips of roughly 12 inches or 30 cm. Loop them through each other like a chain. Then, sew the ends together, adjusting to your head size, and you’re done.
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Make Dog Toys
Here’s one that makes a great gift for the furry pal in your life. Cut out three strips of fabric as long as you’d like. Knot them together on one end, then braid them tightly and tie them again at the other end. Now you’ve got a tug toy that’s perfect for a game of tug-of-war.
Make a Tote Bag
Tote bags are super handy, so why not make a spare one with your old jeans? You’ll need to find a pattern online or sacrifice an existing tote to make a pattern, but most methods involve cutting off the pant legs, and cutting opposite the seams. This will leave you with two square pieces of fabric which can then be sewn into the bag part of the tote. Then all you need to do is add straps and decorate to your heart’s content.
Make a Dress
One of the more complicated ways you can repurpose your jeans is to turn them into a dress. There are lots of different patterns designed for this exact transformation, but usually the pant legs will turn into the skirt, the waistband will become the straps and the remaining shorts you are left with will become the bodice.
There you have it. That’s how students can upcycle old jeans and ensure their wardrobe is fresh without spending a penny.
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