Selecting the Perfect Denim
For any denim craft projects, choosing the right denim is crucial. When looking for used denim, pay attention to the shade, cut, and embellishments. Pick out jeans that would suit your particular project. If you can’t find enough used denim at home, check local thrift stores or garage sales. Thrift stores often give away jeans that are too worn to sell. Garage sales are great places to find cheap used denim, especially when the seasons change. Look for jeans with unique pockets, buttons or stitching that you can utilize.
Don’t overlook jeans that seem unusable at first. The back of the jeans often retain better color and fewer stains. Waistbands, pockets and other details can still be used from an otherwise worn pair.
Choose the Right Weight
Choose a denim weight suitable for your project. Use heavier denim for projects that need to stand on their own, like gift bags. Lighter, softer denim works better for smaller projects with lots of folds. Thinner denim is good for projects where the edges are folded over mat board or notebooks.
Select an Appealing Shade
Denim comes in many shades of blue, from light to dark. Contrasting shades are especially important for woven projects like patchwork pillows. Alternating light and dark strips can achieve an eye-catching checkerboard effect.
Utilize Unique Features
Unusual pockets, stitching or buttons can accentuate your project. Striped overalls have interesting pockets, buttons and stitching. Their suspenders make great handles for purses or bags. An overall top with pockets would make an unique pillow cover. Add darker fabric behind the suspenders for some color contrast.
Proper Storage
Store denim as flat as possible, whether hanging or folded. This prevents wrinkles, which can be hard to iron out. Lightly spray wrinkles with water and press with a steam iron.
Avoid cutting denim into large pieces until you’ve chosen a project. That way, you’ll have the right sizes for your project and less fraying mess!
Finishing Edges
Denim doesn’t fray easily, but folded edges look more polished. Fringe the edges by pulling out crosswise threads. Pulling out white threads leaves blue fringe, while blue threads leave thicker white fringe. Using seams stops the fraying.
Making Straps from Double-Stitched Seams
Cut very close to the seam on one side of double-stitched denim. Cut about an inch from the other side. Fold and glue the raw edge under twice.
Braid three double-stitched strips and glue the ends. This makes great trim for notebooks, purses, pillows or bag handles. Add wire to one strip for shaping. 30-inch strips make a 24-inch braid. Keep the braid loose so it lies flat. Tight braiding is hard to flatten. Read more beginning unexpensive craft hobby ideas in this article.
Weaving Strips
Straighten the edges of denim strips. Trim excess fringe and the edge will straighten. Cut 4 inches extra on each side to fold under. Glue or sew folded edges. Sewing makes softer pillows. Choose a decorative stitch for some strips.
Lengthwise dark and crosswise light strips make a checkerboard. Or place strips randomly, stand back and rearrange as needed.
Utilizing Pockets and Waistbands
Remove pockets close to the seams, leaving enough to turn under or attach elsewhere. Clip corners before turning under. Inside jeans pockets make cute small pockets. Attach unturned edges to other fabric.
Remove waistbands close to the belt loops. Cut lower belt loop edges from the jeans, leaving them attached to the waistband. Glue the belt loops to your project as before. Open the waistband bottom with a seam ripper to attach to projects. Trim excess inside fabric.
Waistband snaps or buttons make closures. Cut a few inches beyond the closures. Rip and cut an inch open. Tuck in raw edges. Glue or stitch the opening closed. Glue may be easier if the closure interferes with sewing or the piece is too bulky.
