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What can I do with old denim?  

post #1 of 34
3/24/08 at 1:00pm
Thread Starter 

I have several pairs of jeans that have holes in the inner thighs (there they rub together) so they are not good for giving away. I can make skirts and other clothes out of them, but I was wonder if its possible to make paper? Has anyone every made paper from cotton?
post #2 of 34
3/24/08 at 2:58pm
I've never tried to make paper before but denim is an extremely strong fabric, we've used it to:
Make braided rugs
For the edging on quilts
pot holders
etc.
post #3 of 34
3/24/08 at 3:17pm
Thread Starter 
I love the pot holder idea - thanks!
post #4 of 34
3/24/08 at 5:01pm
I've made tubular throw pillows out of old jeans legs stuffed with old tshirt strips.
I've heard you can soak strips of it in it Borax & water and use it to stuff in cracks and holes in the house to insulate. the borax soak makes it fireproof. Also keeps mice and roaches from getting in thru those same holes.

I would think you could make some very pretty paper out of it if they are mostly cotton.
post #5 of 34
3/24/08 at 5:06pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by rmayherbs View Post

I would think you could make some very pretty paper out of it if they are mostly cotton.


Come to think of it, they are 99% cotton and 1% spandex. I wonder how that would affect some of the projects….I'm sure pot holders would be out.
post #6 of 34
3/25/08 at 12:17am
My cousin made a purse out of a old pair of jeans.
post #7 of 34
3/25/08 at 1:05am
I have a couple of old pairs of torn jeans sitting around that I need to figure out to do with. Honestly, I'm not really into the denim aesthetic aside from wearing it on my legs, so repurposing it into decorative household goods isn't that appealing. Does anyone know how to do cloth recycling (like where you send it in somewhere, kind of like paper or plastic)?

The other thing I've heard works well is to turn the denim into pillows stuffed with rice or buckwheat, which you can microwave and use for cramps or sore muscles or a footwarmer or whatever. The fabric's thick, so it supposedly retains heat well. I haven't tried that, though.
post #8 of 34
3/25/08 at 1:14am
I've used my old denim to make bags. I cut the legs off and sewed up the bottom of the butt. They aren't glamorous, but they are highly functional and great for things like trips to the beach and camping, but I also got a kick out of using them on vacation. I wanted to make a blanket out of the legs, but never got to it.
post #9 of 34
3/25/08 at 1:15am
Thread Starter 
I remember a show on the Sundance Channel once that was taking about green buildings where the insulation was made out of recycled denim. It would be nice to find out if there is such a place where old (raggety) clothes can go for recycling.
post #10 of 34
3/25/08 at 1:17am
Those clothing bins are every where LOL. Here they are yellow and run by Planet Aid. They turn the ratty stuff into rags.
post #11 of 34
3/25/08 at 1:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by DBZ View Post
Those clothing bins are every where LOL. Here they are yellow and run by Planet Aid. They turn the ratty stuff into rags.
The closest one to me is 450 miles away. There has to be something like that here...
post #12 of 34
3/28/08 at 9:54am
My mom used to cut her old denim into strips to tie up her tomatoes.....
post #13 of 34
3/28/08 at 8:01pm
I had a bunch, when DH gave up on his old ones. I got rid of them on our local freecycling group, as I hadn't time to do anything with them.

I used to make great dog toys out of them, though. Tough as nails.
post #14 of 34
3/28/08 at 9:42pm
When I was at art school we made paper out of old denim. The hardest part is chewing it up into a fine enough pulp. Our instructor had sent the jeans away somewhere to be pulped. It's not something that can be done in the blender.

I have no idea where she sent them but if there is an art school near you, contact their fiber arts department. They might have the equipment for that sort of thing or know where you can get it done.
post #15 of 34
3/29/08 at 10:41am
You can make paper from old denim but I haven't tried it. It looks really cool though!

One thing my SIL did, was to cut up old jeans into 4 inch squares and make a quilt out of it, it makes a good sturdy blanket for sitting on outside or at a game.
post #16 of 34
4/2/08 at 11:06pm
I have a box of jeans waiting to be made into seat covers for my car.
post #17 of 34
4/3/08 at 1:15am
I use old denim to make messenger and tote bags. I also made my diaper bag from recycled denim. The look really neat and I have actually sold quite a few bags that I made, to friends and other people who saw them
post #18 of 34
4/6/08 at 12:50am
Today we made curtains because DD1 wants a cowgirl theme in her room

Years ago I made patch-pants out of thrift store finds - cord and denim together. That was fun!
post #19 of 34
4/6/08 at 12:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by barose View Post
I remember a show on the Sundance Channel once that was taking about green buildings where the insulation was made out of recycled denim. It would be nice to find out if there is such a place where old (raggety) clothes can go for recycling.
google the question "recycle my denim?" and you may get some good hits :
post #20 of 34
4/17/08 at 2:41pm
My partner has a little bag he made by cutting a section of jeans below the knee and above the hem (that part tends to get very little wear), putting a zipper in one end, and sewing up the other end. He uses it for his toothbrush etc. when traveling. I think he said he made it in 8th grade home ec--that would be in 1985!--and it's still going strong, with the occasional repair.
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