Upcycling Jean into kitchen ideas

I separated the Upcycling jean items into two different blog; because, I did not want it to be too long.

Recycled Denim Oven Mitt

 

Here is a oven mitt template you can use.

Materials:  A pair of jeans, lining fabric, batting, scissors, pattern (above), push pins, sewing machine with Denim needle, and Denim thread.

Directions:

 

Cut out the pattern two denim mitts, then out two lining fabric mitts, and two batting mitts.

First pin the two denim panels together with right sides together. Machine sews the two denim panels together using a narrow hem around the mitt. Leave the end hem unfinished at this point. Trim curves and clip at thumb turn. Turn wrong sides to the inside. Using a pencil’s eraser end, push out the thumb and edges. Press with hot iron and turn under a narrow hem along the unfinished edge of the denim mitt shell.

Next put the two fabric lining panels together with right sides together. Then add a batting layer to the bottom and top of your lining insert. Pin in place and machine stitch a narrow hem around the mitt. Leave the end hem unfinished for now. Trim edges and clip at thumb curve but don’t turn. Turn under a narrow hem and press with a hot iron along the unfinished edge of the fabric lining.

Lastly insert your fabric lining inside your denim oven mitt. Checks fit and trim edges if necessary; so, the insert fits nicely inside your denim mitt shell. Match hem edges and pin the two edges together. Machine stitch very close to the edge to enclose the hem of the denim panel and the lining insert. Fold over the edge if desired to show off your fabric lining.  Add embellishments to the outside of the mitt if you so desire.

First Potholders Idea

                                               

Material:  Two pockets from a pair of jeans, backing fabric, batting, scissors, push pins, sewing machine with Denim needle, and Denim thread.

Directions:

First use one of the pockets as the pattern.  Cut out 2 pieces of batting the same size as the pocket and then cut 2 pieces of backing fabric.

Proceed in the same manner as the above directions, by first pinning the pocket and backing together and for to oven mitt.  On the side of the backing fabric also includes the batting.  Machine sews around leaving an open big enough to turn the material around.  Trim edges around except for the opening area.  Turn under a narrow hem and press with a hot iron along the unfinished edge of the potholder.  Then pin the two edges together and machine stitch very close to the edge to enclose the hem of the denim pocket. Again, embellishments are optional.

Another Pot holders from jeans pockets

                         

Materials:  a pair of jeans, sewing machine, thread, binding material, matching fabric, Fleece fabric, and scissors.

 

Directions with pictures:

Cut around the back jeans pockets leaving as much space as you can. 

Then neaten up the edges. Mine were 20 x 18cm (8 x 7").  Then cut pieces the same size from the pretty fabric and your fleece. 

Also cut strips from the contrasting fabric, 6cm (2.5") wide for the binding around the edge.  You will need strips that total in length, the distance all the way around your holders, plus a little extra to spare for the hook.

You needed about 39.5" for each pot holder.

 Pin together the pretty fabric and the fleece.  Then stitch together.  Make some wiggly lines on the pot holder. Then pin and stitch together your fleece parts to your pocket parts, so you have the pockets and the pretty fabric facing outwards.

 

Now for the binding directions.  Take your strips of fabric and stitch them together to make 2 long pieces - one for each pot holder:

 

And then using your iron, press each strip in half lengthways. Then open it up and press the edges in again to touch the center crease.  Finally fold the whole strip in half again so all the raw edges are completely hidden and press again.  And now you have your two strips of binding ready to attach to the pot holders. Trim around the edges of your pockets to neaten up the edges and you're ready to go!

 

Attach the binding as shown in the pictures below: 

 If you want a nice clear set of instructions for perfection - and hand stitching to finish off - here's a good one.

Scrappy Upcycled Apron

 I have fun making things obnoxiously uneven!

Cut the side seams from the jeans to make the side and neck straps.  The butt pockets were much cuter cut apart and set slightly uneven!

  

Make button holes in the neck and sides to push the side strips through and then just tied knots in them to keep them in!  You can use serger to attach all the edges.

An interesting site for teen jean Upcycling is http://diyfashion.about.com/od/diypants/tp/Ways_to_Use_Old_Jeans.htm?nl=1

Again, I really would love to see your finished items or hear your Upcycling jean ideas.

Share your ideas on this or anything here on the blog either here or e-mail me at stipple@verizon.net  I look forward to hearing from you!

Sandi