I have jeans that need repaired or up-cycled. The average women's jeans (no fancy brands) around go on sale for around $19.99 - $29.99 in my area. Not me - not if I can help it!!!
I have a couple pair of 'nice' jeans that I wear out in public. I have jeans that are garden jeans, and I have jeans that need a world of help!!!
I am repairing this week. Many need a new bum, some need the zipper area fixed, and others have knees out. Now I know the holey jeans are fashionable - but I can't stand the feel of my knees hanging out of holes!
Considering some of the "fashion" jeans I see at stores - mine are probably worth a small fortune! LOL
Yes, I can buy jeans at the thrift store - but don't often find ones that fit right in leg length and in the crotch length. I am long waisted - so it can be a challenge.
I also came across a couple pair of pastel colored dress pants from my working days. I haven't worked since 2006! I thought I got rid of all that stuff - but here they hang. I am going to be cutting them down into capris this week. They will look nice and cool this summer, when I don't want to sport jeans.
(I am a jeans person if you can't tell!)
I also found a couple of samples of fabric that my brother gave me years ago, from when he was trying to decide on fabric for a chair. I am going to make a new spring handbag with them. They are both just the perfect size. I have strap material and everything else needed in my sewing supplies, so the cost will be $0 for a new handbag. I will post pictures when I get it done.
It is amazing what a little thought and effort can save dollar-wise.
What are you doing to re-cycle or up-cycle things you have around the house?
Any new projects going on?
I actually have a quilt top ready to sew that is made out of recycled jeans I have cut off from customers pants. When ever I cut off more than 5 inches I save it in a drawer. They make great heavy outdoor quilts.
ReplyDeleteGood idea - free material.
DeleteI have seen a lot of pictures of denim quilts, but boy oh boy they would have to be heavy! Outdoor quilt sounds like a deal to me.
Good thinking!
I could have sworn I commented on this post...I know I did but it's gone somewhere in cyberspace I suppose. I'll try to remember what that attempt was. ;) I am long and high waisted also and finding jeans that fit are a struggle. My favorite brands are Seven, Layne Bryant, and Not Your Daughters Jeans. I just remembered another one, J Jill (they have the softest leggings too that I wear around the house). I get all of these at thrift stores or yard sales because they are so spendy bring new. I have given one of my girls some of my old jeans in the past and she has used them to make aprons that are really cute!
ReplyDeleteDebbie, I have only heard of one of those brands. I wonder if they are country wide.
DeleteI love to find something that fits really good. Hard to find the right fit - snug in legs, long enough in crotch area not to cut, and fitting in the waist.
I have no butt at all - so that creates a problem too! Geesh I am a mess! LOL
Jean aprons are really cute.
I've made a Jean quilt. It takes a lot of jeans though. We don't seem to wear our jeans out as fast since we have retired.
ReplyDeleteI imagine it would take a lot of jeans, especially to make a decent size one.
DeleteMy jeans get worn out faster now that I am retired. I used to dress up a lot and only wore jeans on the weekends. NOW they are a daily thing.
I hold on to my old jeans too. I've even got a pair of Levi's cutoffs from 1972. I can't get into them, but still hanging on to them.
ReplyDeleteLOL - that is funny. Don't feel bad. I have a party dress I made in high school for a dance. NO WAY would it possibly fit. I just thought it was pretty.
DeleteI bet those cut-offs are short too!!! LOL I know mine were back in the day.
me too Rivercrest!
DeleteI have one pair of nice looking jeans. ONE! The older I have gotten, the less comfortable I am in jeans, mainly because they are so hard to fit my big butt and fat legs! I wish I found them as comfy as some people do. My mom only wore jeans, but she was a skinny little thing, and had no problem finding jeans to fit. You are smart to repurpose your dress pants into capri's.
ReplyDeleteHey, at least you have one pair. I had a brother-in-law that was in his 70's before he got his first pair of jeans (they were a gift). He always dressed nicely, even working in the yard.
DeleteIt is very hard to find a pair that fits perfectly.
I would donate those dress slacks - but they aren't really the style now - so I figured I would up-cycle them into something more of the times!
Cheryl, how do you do the rear end area down around the inside of the legs and crotch? By the time I have put in patches and sewn up the threads, it is very stiff and takes a bit to make them comfortable and not feel like I am wearing diapers!
ReplyDeleteMine have the actual rear end busted out, so that is fairly easy.
DeleteThe rips near crotch area are on the front of mine and around the zipper area.
I will try to show a pic, when completed.
would you post a pic? Knees I can do, tear out the inside seam, patch sew and go...and belt loops and pockets are okay, but the seat near the crotch seam is a mystery to me.
ReplyDeleteEllen, I will try to if I can get them fixed to look right. Not sure how they will turn out. I think I may be using liquid stitch on that fix. I will let you know for sure!!!
DeleteCheryl it must have been the week for recycling and using what we have around the home. I recovered my outdoor setting. I had bought the fabric on sale late last year. I used the old cushion covers as a template for the new and unpicked the old zippers and re used them in the new cushions. I also made a slip cover to go over my Office chair in the sewing room. The black vinyl was peeling off and looked awful. I cut up an old doona(duvet) cover, using this to make the slip cover.
ReplyDeleteYou may not have much of a butt but I have a lovely round bum. It does not like jeans at all. Our climate is such that jeans are too hot to wear exept in the middle of winter. I have had the same pair of jeans for five years and they still look quite reasonable.
I noticed today that my favourite table cloth is starting to get small holes in it. I think I will cut this one up and make it into shopping/market bags. Let the re use and rethink continue.
Sounds like you have had a busy week. How wonderful on the having a "new" outdoor set now. That was quite an ambitious project. Same with the office chair.
DeleteI wish I had a 'lovely round butt'!! LOL It seems that a flat butt runs in my family with the girls - not many of us had one!
Good idea for the tablecloth re-use.
have a good one.
My son has a bad habit of ripping out the crotch in the back side of his jeans. He's a big guy and 18 years old. He brought me a favorite pair of his to "fix it mama". LOL. Any way, I had an old ripped flannel sheet in navy blue. I just put the split part together and put the flannel over it. It is not the best sewing job, but it actually gives him a little extra room and is soft to boot. He loves it! So a good repurpose on a ripped flannel fitted sheet I just couldn't bear to part with. I love all the great repurpose ideas.
ReplyDeleteOh good idea Barbara. Using flannel would make a thinner yet more comfortable patch in that area. Ellen was asking about that as well.
DeleteI have put off doing my worst pair, so I may have to use that idea.
Glad you son is happy to have his favorite jeans saved!
Thank you for the great tip.