A New Use for Your Old Jeans

I’m trying to keep myself busy these days, it’s part of the way I’ve been coping with Max’s passing.  I’ve been clearing out closets and I came across these old jeans that are very much out of style and ahem, a little too small.  Do you have jeans in your closet like that?

A little light bulb went off, something I’ve been wanting to do in a tablescape for a while.

Old Jeans Recycled and Repurposed

 

I cut the back pockets off keeping the fabric intact so it still remained a pocket.

New Use for Old Jeans

 

Then I trimmed off the access fabric being careful to not cut through the top-stitching.

New Use for Old Jeans

Here’s how the backs looked once the excess fabric was removed.  The back pockets on jeans are great for cutting since the top-stitching keeps them intact.

Recycle Jeans Pocket for Flatware Holders

 

Three pairs of old jeans yielded 6 back pockets.  Can you guess what I have planned for these?

New Use for Old Jeans

 

How about something fun for a 4th of July table setting.  Those old jean pockets make pretty handy little flatware holders.

4th of July Table Setting Ideas

 

I tied a red, white, and blue ribbon around the pocket for a little extra pizazz.  These took all of about 15 minutes to make.  So easy and no sewing required!

4th of July Table Setting Ideas, Recycle those old jeans

 

This was such a fun, super easy project! Looking forward to using these in a future 4th of July table setting.

4th of July Tables Setting Tablescape with Jean Flatware Holder and Warren Kimble Dishware

 

 

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Comments

  1. So cute! When I make my denim wreaths, I’ve always got left over pockets. Now, I know what to do with them 😉 Happy 4th of July Susan!

  2. I made a set of place-mats using the pockets for the silverware. Love reusing things. (gotta get that tutorial up)

  3. This is such a cute idea! I’m so doing this for my 4th of July party!

  4. BRAVO!!!!!

    Love that creative idea, Susan! Well done.

  5. Terri Lemmond says

    Love this. Even a “handicraft challenged” person like myself can do this!

  6. Great idea Susan. I’ll be gathering my old jeans together for this one. Thanks so much for sharing.
    It’s good to keep busy so your mind stays full of new ideas. Glad to hear that you are getting along. Enjoy your holiday.

  7. You have such a creative brain, Susan. This is so cute.

  8. Great idea Susan, great recycling!! I know you are keeping yourself busy when your heart hurts..have been there.
    I wish you a great 4th July, we had our Canada Day yesterday, we attended a pool party over the weekend and also moved my daughter to a new home!! Just chilling out today, it is over 40 degrees!!!!

  9. Love the silverware pockets! What a darling idea, and not just for the 4th of July – you could use them for Father’s Day, picnics, Memorial Day – all kinds of fun events! Figured you were keeping busy for that reason, but you are REALLY keeping busy!! Yard work, cleaning out closets! And the “ahem….” too small jeans….I think we ALL have some of them in our closets! There are going to be an awful lot of silverware pocket makers this summer! LOL Glad you’re keeping busy & the creative juices are still flowing!

  10. Makes me wish I’d kept all those old jeans, darn!!! 😀
    Hugs an have a happy July 4th,
    Beth

  11. Great idea, and I could use a little extra space in my closet! Cherry Kay

  12. Well, I just made up my mind not to put my old jeans in the Goodwill bag!…Thanks for the great idea Susan…and love those plates!

    • Thanks, Shirley. I lucked out and found a set on eBay a few years back. They weren’t expensive either…very reasonable. The pattern is Colonial by Warren Kimble. I just looked and there’s a bunch of it on eBay right now.

  13. Clever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  14. OMG, Susan!
    I love them! May I “steal” your great idea, pleeease? 🙂
    I even have some American flag embroidered patches with gold trim and the letters U.S.A. in gold, too, that I could sew on them! Susan, since the 4th of July is not a holiday in Germany, I will celebrate it two days later, on Saturday, with some of my Italian and German friends who know I have “Americanitis”. lol
    I am planning an all American BBQ Party and of course, everyone is allowed to wear red, white and blue, only! 🙂 Oh, and I am the only one responsible for the “Americana” decorations, because it is something that I always have! Now, I only need 10-11 old jeans… LOL
    ~Hugs to you~
    Cecilia

    • Thanks Cecilia! I’d be honored if you used this idea! 🙂 Maybe you can find some old jeans in a thrift store, or perhaps your friends have some jeans they have outgrown or wore out. Have fun on Saturday and I want to hear all about it!

      • LOL, Susan. I just emailed to all my friends who will be my guests to clean out their closets immediately and bring me all their old jeans tomorrow! Three of them already asked: “WHY?!”
        (I’m sure, now they really think I’m “crazy”! lol)
        I replied “Because Susan had a great idea that I can “steal”!
        They know who is “Susan” from the States and that “Susan” always has great ideas… 🙂
        Now they are curious to know specifically WHAT was your idea, today?! LOLOL
        I told them “Sorry, you have to wait till Saturday! I can only say, you will be thrilled!” 🙂
        (Maybe, they are reading your blog right now! LOL)
        Thank you, Susan!
        P.S. Happy to see that bunting garland is hanging again! 🙂

  15. Adorable Susan! I don’t have any old jeans. As soon as they get tight, out they go. I don’t want a reminder, kwim? 😉

    I’ve been thinking about you and wondering how you’re doing. It’s great to keep yourself busy, but it’s really important to talk about Max too. I hope you have someone in your life you can talk to about him, and you know you have hundreds of fans who want nothing more than to help and we are here to listen also.

    • Thanks, Doreen…you are a sweetheart. I have been talking about him a bunch. I have some friends who have furbabies and they do understand. There’s one friend in particular who has been really great. She and I have that kind of friendship where we can call each other any time, day or night. Thanks again for being so sweet and caring…appreciate you! ♥

  16. Susan, this is the cutest idea! I have some old jeans in the Goodwill bag that are coming out to make these! Thank you for sharing this idea; I’m on my way to give this a try! Happy Fourth of July!

  17. Lady Delores LeBoeuf says

    SO cute and fitting for this holiday, love the ribbon…I made some with khaki pockets and added some lace and doilies, also a hit, thank you for sharing, Love & Blessings to you/yours…

  18. Gabriele says

    A number of years ago, I had the same idea when my daughter outgrew about 6 pairs of jeans at one time! I used some fun red glitter glue to write phrases like: “seconds please”, ” chocolate lover”, “save room for dessert”, “yummy”, you get the idea! I also used them for 4th of July!! We must have the same gene–never waste anything!

  19. Susan,
    That is one clever idea and it looks fantastic! Thanks for the idea!

    Pat F.
    Las Vegas

  20. Susan, I’ve been thinking about doing this same project. You are inspiring me to go ahead and cut up those old jeans.
    Hope you have a happy 4th. No big plans here……..Sarah

  21. Hola Susana, no sé allí pero acá en Argentina hay mucha gente que necesita ropa así que realmente me daría mucha pena cortarlos para hacer esto. Muchas felicidades para el 4 de julio! Feliz día!
    Hi Susan, I do not know but here in Argentina there are many people who need clothes so much pain I really would cut to do this. Congratulations to the 4th of July! Happy day!

    • Hola Mariele! Thanks for the congrats! 🙂 Well, they wouldn’t want these old jeans, they were pretty faded and worn out. One had a hole in back beside the pocket. These were headed for the trash.

  22. Gracias por la respuesta Susana, es una idea creativa no quise de ninguna manera incomodar. Un beso!
    Thanks for the reply Susan, is a creative idea in any way I did not want bother. A kiss!

  23. That is the cutest idea! Do you think my hubby or son would notice if I snipped their pockets off? 😉

  24. Thanks for the reply Susan it was very helpful. In my comment that I could see, there was a link. Gotta call my ‘puter geek and see what’s up. Thanks.

  25. Susan, I love this idea. You did a fantastic job and they are so cute.

  26. Lois from PA says

    Hi Susan!

    I love this idea!! I m having a BBQ for the 4th and realized I had a whole bag of old jeans that was going out on Trash Day – well not anymore! also, I have several old kids jeans – so the pockets are coming off and I’m going to use them with the children’s table setting! Thank you for a great idea! Have a wonderful 4th and stay well…….

  27. Jane ~ Felsham Hall says

    This is a cute idea and it made me think, what else could you do with those pockets? Possibly sew a bunch of them to a sturdy bit of fabric and make a hanging pocket organizer for accessories, hosiery, this and that, etc. But there are probably countless other uses. I hope we can put our heads together and come up with more. Fun idea, Susan. 🙂

  28. I’m going to do this. I think I will glue red/white/blue buttons on then. So cute. Thanks for the idea.

  29. So cute and clever!! Love it with the fourth f July theme! 🙂
    XO,
    Christy

  30. Elizabeth Jane says

    What about a quilted tablecloth for the kiddie table with pockets from the kids’ jeans sewn into place to hold the silverware. Would be a real keepsake!

  31. I love this idea. I also have four pair of jeans that mysteriously shrunk and would lend themselves nicely to this type of treatment. ;-). I once saw a rug that was made up of blue jean pockets sewn to a backing. It was quite eye catching.

    • Yep, hate it when jeans just shrink up for no apparent reason. 😉
      A rug? How interesting is that! But I’m wondering, how someone could walk across it and not trip on a pocket? 🙂

  32. Hi Susan, you always have such cute ideas. Keeping busy is about the only thing you can do to help yourself and ofcourse talking about Max to a very Special Friend. What would we do with out friends? We still miss out beloved dog and he has been gone almost 2 years. We now have 2 Goldens who make us laugh every day. Have a great 4th. and dont work too hard.

  33. Katherine G says

    Hi Susan,
    Great idea! The pocket could also be used to stuff the point of a red bandanna “napkin” for a Western themed table…

  34. Very cute Susan I like these. Hugs to you, I lost 3 pets in June alone.. ageing out though but its never easy. Praying another rescue pet steals your heart down the line when your ready. Happy Sweet blessed 4th of July.

  35. Great idea, Susan!! I’ve got some of those jeans, too! :O) Now I know what I can do with the pockets! Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Lanita

  36. cheryl s says

    Susan, so glad you are keeping busy-We just had to put our 15 year old cat to sleep. He developed a tumor in his mouth and the vets said it would have taken his jawbone out too if they tried to remove it. I believe there is more than this life and I will see all my sweet little animals again. That makes it easier if you believe that and I really do.

  37. Great idea Susan, looks adorable!

  38. Betty819 says

    Great Idea..now come up with things that you can make with the rest of the jeans! How about a lady’s purse? I bet one could find some patriotic ribbon or small pins to put on the pocket instead of the ribbon tie, but the gathered ribbon would help hold the silverware in the pocket tight.

    What are those dishes made of..china or a plastic material like melamine?

    • Betty, don’t worry, I saved them. I had something else in mind to make but just ran out of time. The dishes are breakable, not sure if they are stoneware or what you call it. I call everything china half the time, even when it’s not real china. They aren’t plastic or melamine. They are good and heavy and definitely breakable.

  39. YES to the denim pocket- Anyone can do it BUT SOMEONE HAS TO THINK OF IT!!
    Jonell

  40. Sharon From Michigan says

    L O V E this idea! My brain is now spinning – I’m thinking maybe collecting khaki colored jeans from Sal Army and using glitter pens to make turkeys on each one for Thanksgiving – doesn’t that sound cute to use for turkey day? I have two little nephews (5 + 3 yr old) that are part of our Thanksgiving dinner and they’d love to see glitter turkeys at the table! (or glitter pumpkins?)

  41. Terri from PA says

    You know…you could add those belt loops on the sides of the pockets to use to snug it up to hold the flatware in place while being carried! 🙂 Great idea, love it!

  42. Grandmom says

    Susan, noticed the blue swirl glassware. Any chance it could still be available?

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