Wednesday, July 13, 2011

WOYWW: Upcycling Edition!

I have moved my base of operations into the dining room for the past few days.

When I got my sewing machine back in March, I started putting aside some clothing from my Goodwill pile, figuring I could use some of the remnants for various projects once I developed some skill with the machine.

A couple of days ago (skill be damned), I pulled out a pair of old blue jeans, and thought it would be fun to make as many different things from as many different parts of them as I could.

It’s amazing how far a pair of jeans can go!
First I made a cuff bracelet from the waistband, sewing a length of lace along the top. Then I made a little ring from two of the belt loops, sewing on a button as a “jewel”.
The whole time I worked on these projects, I felt as though my grandmother (who was a long-time and talented seamstress) was looking down on me from heaven saying something along the lines of, “Good grief, girl, what on EARTH are you doing with that sewing machine?!”
And I’m pretty sure the sewing machine was cursing me just a little as I worked to sink my needle through the incredibly thick layers of denim at the waistband. I used a combination of machine sewing, hand sewing, and fabric glue to make the bracelet and ring happen!

I made some bookmarks, embellished with flowered ribbon, from the rest of the waistband:
I also made a couple of cute pocket magnets from the back pockets:
All you have to do is cut the pockets out, embellish, and put an adhesive magnet strip on the back. For one, I added a few adhesive metallic dots, and for the other, I glued on little diamond rhinestones in the shape of a heart. (I spent a decade in Texas; we have no problem with “denim and diamonds” in the Lone Star state!)
I’m using some strips of denim, along with other ribbons and fabrics, to make some sewn strips fabric paper (in the same style I made with strips of paper alone back in May).  This paper (you can see the beginnings of it in the very first photo in today's post) is likely destined for postcards and ATCs.

Finally, I sewed together a placement, using fabric from the pant legs, but my thus-far substandard sewing skills forbid that I share that part of the project with you!

It’s really kind of fun to just grab a pair of pants (mine had a hole that made them pretty much beyond repair from my perspective, but you could also nab a pair from a second-hand shop), and think of all the projects you can make from them. It didn’t occur to me until this morning to look online for some additional ideas, so I am looking forward to seeing what others have done. I have one more pair of jeans set aside to “play” with!

To see other folks’ worktables and projects across the globe, check out Julia’s Stamping Ground web site for links to WOYWW participants’ blogs.

***************************************************

Be sure to check out a new e-course by Moira Richardson of Crafty Moira. Beginning July 15, she is going to challenge us to stop buying new supplies for 30 days while we “bust our stash” by art journaling with only those materials we have hoarded already!

***************************************************
Enjoy a creative week!

23 comments:

Unknown said...

I love your recycled pockets. Great fun. Happy WOYWW.
Carol

scrapwordsmom said...

Than bracelet and ring are sooo darling! Love everything you created:)

Vicky said...

Really love your denim crations - so clever. Thanks for the inspiration. Happy Wednesday! :)

Vicky said...

Apologies for the spelling, I meant to say creations!

miracler52 said...

U2 kicked ass in Toronto...Bono rocks baby!!!!!

Janet said...

You're so clever! I think that little ring is just too cute. And the bracelet/cuff and pockets are, too. You should be brave and show your other creations. I bet you're the only one who would see mistakes.

C said...

Clever girl! I would never have thought to make so many cute things from a pair of jeans!

Anonymous said...

What an amazing amount of things to be made from an old pair of jeans! Clever stuff! I've made Christmas cards on and off most of the year anyway, I've now got 28 made!

Hugs
Brenda

Bugged Designs said...

Brilliant! I've got some of my daughters jeans upstairs with holes right across the knees and thought it would be a shame to throw them away. You have just inspired me! Thanks for popping by my blog.

aprilmariecole.blogspot.com said...

It must be the theme for artists this summer! Take over the dinning room table, declare your creative space, and get artsy!! :) Adore your recycled art!

VivJM said...

Great upcycling there Andria!!

Hettie said...

Got to admire your recycling skills there!
I have made a cute bag from a denim dress I used to cherish. I am just making the cord and then I will put it on my blog!
The top part of the dress I cut off some time ago to make a new peg back by sewing the waist bit up and the end of the sleeves. Stapled in on to a coat hanger and hey presto I get to see my lovely dress most days!!

famfa said...

How clever. I will never throw out a pair of jeans again!

DottyA Cards & Things said...

What Great ideas!!!
Thanks for the FUN ideas!!

Sarah said...

Such imaginative use of old jeans!!

Your sewing machine is the model I have my eye on, how are you finding it?

S x

PS Thanks for stopping by at mine....

Mrs A. said...

Now thats what I call really Upcycling. Great imagination. Hugs Mrs A & Monkey.
p.s. monkey has just been given some demim off cuts and wants a pair of trews for next week!

okienurse said...

awesome use of old jeans. Congrats on being so innovative. Gotta love how much fun it is to do something like that. Thanks for sharing. Vickie

Lunch Lady Jan said...

Oh, that is sooo clever! I particularly like the cuff. Simple when you look at it, but oh so hard to have the vision to think about it in the first place - RESPECT to you :) xx

Beansieleigh said...

Love the pockets! I've used them in all sizes for different projects, but I think I especially like the ones I backed with magnets, for the refrigerator, where I can stuff them with notes, coupons, pens and pencils, receipts, etc., etc.! Love your bracelet and ring too.. So CUTE! ~tina

miracler52 said...

U2 tour it up in Philly last night...Following them on the last leg of their tour is mesmerizing....see them on youtube

Julia Dunnit said...

Great ideas - I love the denim cuff. Amazed your sewing machine didn't whine and break needles - well done you!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Lovely Post. I too have been using my machine a bit. Will post later on that Will have my 3 grandkids here a few days so will be busy. Cute ideas you have here. Lots of new things with Scraps.
Here's a site I thought you'd like
http://carolynshomework.blogspot.com/ Enjoy the week

Andria said...

Thank you all for your visits and comments! Sam, I look forward to seeing your denim bag on your blog. Sarah B, I am SUPER new to sewing, but I love my machine. It's very easy to thread, which was my greatest concern as a newbie. Sylvia, thank you for the blog recommendation; I have bookmarked her site to explore!!