18 Handy Ways To Upcycle Old Jeans And Pants

Sometimes even your favorite pair of jeans gets to the point where it's so worn out and old, no amount of praying and wishing can salvage it. But even if your pants aren't exactly in the best condition anymore, that's no reason to throw them out. We're going to show you 18 handy ways to repurpose old jeans and pants and turn them into something truly magical, like cute planters or a super useful gardening apron. Find out how to upcycle old denim with just a flick of the wrist, a needle, and some thread!

1.–3. Denim Garden Crafts

1. Blue Jean Planters

You'll Need:

  • kids' jeans
  • crumpled kraft paper for padding
  • kids' shoes
  • hot glue
  • fabric stiffener
  • paintbrush 
  • cord
  • bucket

Here's How:

1.1 Pad an old pair of kids' jeans with crumpled kraft paper and glue a pair of kids' shoes to the pant legs. 

1.2 Place the padded jeans on a stool so they're in a "seated" position. Now spray the jeans with fabric stiffener and use a paintbrush to work it into the fabric. Then let the pants dry overnight.

1.3 Pull a colorful cord through the loops of the jeans as a belt.

1.4 Remove the crumpled paper from the jeans and place a small bucket inside. Now you can put a plant in the bucket and use the jeans as a planter in your garden or on your balcony. And there you have it – a super cute, unique planter made out of an old pair of kids' jeans. Iconic!

Blue Jean Planters

2. DIY Gardening Apron

You'll Need:

  • old jeans
  • scissors

Here's How:

2.1 If you have an old pair of jeans lying around, don't throw them away! You can make a super useful gardening apron out of them. Start by cutting the pant legs off underneath the back pockets.

2.2 Cut off the front of the jeans except for the waistband, and that's all there is to it! Now you have a super practical gardening apron, and thanks to the button, you can wear it as a belt and store all your essential gardening tools in it.

DIY Gardening Apron

3. Pant Leg Planters

You'll Need:

  • old jeans
  • scissors
  • needle & thread
  • decorative ribbon or material
  • fabric glue

Here's How:

3.1 Cut off the end of the pant leg and turn it inside out.

3.2 Sew up the side where you cut off the pant leg. 

3.3 Turn the pant leg back on the right side, decorate it with some ribbon, and voila – a cute pant leg planter.

Pant Leg Planters

4.–10. Stylish Tips & Tricks For Your Jeans

German-American businessman Levi Strauss and his partner Jacob W. Davis have the claim to fame of inventing blue jeans in 1871. And while they were initially intended to be used as work pants for factory workers, gold diggers, and farmers, the popular piece of clothing has since evolved into a fashion icon in its own right. What we love most about jeans is how versatile they are – not only in cut and style, but also in personal design! Get the instructions for the 7 Stylish Tips & Tricks For Your Jeans.

7 Stylish Tips & Tricks For Your Jeans

11.–17. Sewing Hacks To Spruce Up Your Wardrobe

If you've spent your entire life thinking that sewing is too difficult, you're dead wrong! It's actually much easier than you think to work wonders with a needle and thread – in fact, here are 7 simple sewing hacks that any amateur or novice can pull off. And best of all, while these tricks may be fast and easy for you to perform, everyone else will be none the wiser and think you spent years perfecting your craft! Get the instructions for the 7 Sewing Hacks To Spruce Up Your Wardrobe.

7 Sewing Hacks To Spruce Up Your Wardrobe

18. Homemade Shrug From Old Leggings

When the waistband starts to give, that's the first sign you should toss out your leggings. But wait! You may not be able to wear them as pants anymore, but that doesn't mean you can't upcycle them into another fashionable piece of clothing! Get the instructions for the DIY Shrug.

Homemade Shrug From Old Leggings

There's so much you can do with a ratty pair of jeans, the trash should really be the last place for them to end up. Hopefully these upcycling ideas have given you enough inspiration to turn your old denim into something cool and useful. Have fun crafting!

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