Recycle your jeans

Another creative option for cast off jeans - have them recycled into a pair of comfy and useful sandals ... here's the link - for the whole story.

DIY Denim Baby Snap Pants

Just discovered this adorable tutorial for a pair of soft baby denim snap-on-pants on craftgossip which led me to the project's orgin - mesewcrazy.
Looking forward to a year of creative denim stitching projects.

Happy 2012 !

Denim DIY giveaway

All month I have been following the wonderful denim based crafting creativity over on MicheleMadeMe. Beautiful craftmanship, industrious ideas and the unexpected have rolled out for every budget and ability. Even though I couldn't carve out the time to stitch myself it didn't dimish my sharing in the fun, the enthusiasm and my denim plans for the future! Now, in typical Michele fashion, she has a denim crafting give away like no other, with a pile of treasures for two lucky people. Quickly go over and put your name in the pool!

Drop-Dead Denim DIY

Michelemademe is devoting the month of September to denim crafts. She and her crafting pals are sharing all kinds of creative ways to make everything desirable out of old denim -- from toys to jewerly. Visit her blog to follow all the fun and discover what can be re-cycled and up-cycled in the most charming and ingenious ways. Michele is full of the unexpected which makes this month a most delightful denim month.

Antique denim quilts

Pig -Pen (1945-55)

These beautiful quilts, are part of an eclectic group of "Improvisational Quilts" (from The Henry Ford), created by Susana Allen Hunter from the 1930s - 70s. She was an Alabama sharecropper, and old worn denim found it's way into many of her quilts. With imaginative craftsmanship, she mixes the denim with other fabrics, creating different moods and memories. Strip Quilt Pieced Quilt 1950/55

Nine Patch

all photos: The Henry Ford

I discovered Susana's quilts here, on Elizabeth's blog, where she has also posted a cool denim bag.

Denim as art

A British artist, Denimu, who lives in Sweden, uses the beautiful, intrinsic qualities of denim, to express his thoughts and visions of the world. Follow him on twitter, facebook, or his blog.

A 17th century, European painter (name unknown), who worked in Italy, painted the poor, dressed in their old, worn denim, with the same dignity and honor as a court painter would have bestowed upon a rich patron. The paintings respect the character and one can't help but look beyond the misfortune and be inspired by the denim, and how it adapted so practically.

The paintings are currently on exhibition at the Didier Aaron in New York until February 14th.

Berry n' Bird Denim Beret

MicheleMadeMe has captured nature - in all it’s inviting glory - with her berry n’ bird denim beret. Imaginatively stitching together all kinds of textures, patterns with great skill, she created this cozy, reversible, and beautiful beret! And … thereby, reinventing my glitzy poet’s beret (from Denim Revolution) in a delightfully different, spirit. Read all about it in her post, here. I hope it inspires you as it has inspired me!

DIY a charming Fascinator

Swedishloveaffair, has cleverly used this scrap of denim as a sturdy base, to make a charming New Year's Eve Fascinator. Click here for her super super easy and clear tutorial. All kinds of variations come to mind when one follows her lead -- from combining pinecones or pretty twigs from the garden (left natural or painted unexpected colors) -- to tiny bulbs mixed with feathered denim scraps ... hmmm ... Whether you will be at home, curled up in a pair of comfy jeans or enjoying a big bash, why not take a few minutes, to create your own accessory to ring in the New Year --and surprise us and yours, with your special, individual style!

With her natural and delightful imagination, Antonia shares on her blog wonderful advise and thoughts about fashion, style and handmade. Thank you Antonia for the great tutorial!

Wishing all my fellow bloggers a year of peace and happiness.

Enjoy the last days of 2010

and all my best wishes,

and hopes are with you for 2011!

xxxooo

Nancy

Pucci patched vintage jeans

photo: Jane Aldridge

This image, from "Sea of Shoes" expresses all the power of the individualism of the 60s. It looks like wonderful scraps of various printed Pucci fabrics (which could be printed on cotton velvet, silk or light weight wool jersey) have been wonderfully patched on those flared legs! What a delicious way to re-cycle a stained or torn, but beautiful scarf or blouse ... .

DIY Venetian Mask

Even though some of you may have seen this before, I'm posting it again, as it remains a wonderful way to use a scrap of denim. Add some glamorous beads, pearls, ruffles, whatever you find in your notions box - to hand stitch something magically special, for trick-or-treating later in October. Click here, where you can find all the instructions on craftzine.

Creative denim tree decoration

Isn't it wonderful, when someone takes junk - like a pair of old jeans - and surprises you with the possibilities of what can happen when you creatively combine your imagination with some crafting skill - to transform those old cast-off jeans into another product, that is charming and useful. 

"Michele Made Me" has done just that - superbly, whimsically and artistically!

She cut the denim into strips, rolled them up and glued them into tree shapes. 

She then has used the trees to decorate many items, including the back-to-school pencil case in the top photo.  I loved her denim project and wanted so much to share the tutorial (click here). 

Hope it inspires you. 

Thank you Michelle!

Tutorial to turn jeans into a mini skirt

Bored and crafty has posted (right here) a detailed tutorial with lots of visuals and clear explanations on how to turn a pair of has-been jeans into a mini skirt.  All one needs is a little time and patience to receive a big heave of satisfaction and pleasure!

Thank you  Meream for sharing your wonderful tutorial!

Super book sale!

As we gear up for fall and back-to-school, fresh additions to one's wardrobe give positive energy and pleasure.  This beret, one of the sewing projects in my book Denim Revolution, is made from a circle cut from a pair of old jeans!  It demonstrates that re-cycled style is super hip, and can be had, with a little creativity, some hand sewing and without a designer clothing budget. 

Right now this tutorial is right here, on craftzine's cool craft blog ...

and ...

as a special boost for a super fall,

Denim Revolution

is available for half price, right here 

$9.95 (free shipping in the USA)!

I hope you enjoy, your new denim treasures

as much as your old denim memories!

Happy sewing,

Nancy

How to make adorable pants for your toddler from old jeans

CookCleanCraft, click here, has resourcefully turned a pair of denim rejects into a charming pair of pants for a toddler. I love the way she explains carefully all her steps and thought process, supported by lots of descriptive images. Her goal to be time efficient, get a good fit and integrate the original, stitching details, seems to have worked out beautifully. Thank you CCC for sharing this with my readers!

Bleached denim skirt from recycled kids jeans

This is a wonderully imaginative tutorials!

The SewingDork, takes you through all the steps, with lively images, so everyone can make her totally camp skirt - from a pair of cast-off kid's jeans. 

The tutorial is fun and I so love the cool look, for adults and kids. 

Thank you SewingDork for sharing it with us!

Denim remake by the brassyapple

Megan at the brassyapple has created a Shaggy Mosaic Jeans pattern booklet, filled with plenty of ways (and 42 inspiring images) to remake jeans for all the family. Her bright, fun way to work patches makes me happy and I wanted to share it with you. 

Cropping jeans just at the knee

Jeans are being cropped, hemmed and cuffed

every which way as the weather warms up.

One version seems to be the current denim uniform

of NYC's rickshaw (or pedicab) drivers

that encircle Central Park.

DIY cropped, denim joggers

If you have a pair of naft jeans with no personality and you love denim and love the ease of joggers, then why not, follow your love – and crop and recycle those old jeans into something cozy, comfortable and cool to wear?  These cropped joggers are easy to make - and quickly become a favorite.

Level - some sewing (takes an hour) and knitting (another hour) experience is needed. If you are not a knitter cut the cuffs from a cast-off sweatshirt.

Materials:
Your cast-off jean
Ochre thread
4' x 5/8" wide, pink and white striped grosgrain ribbon
5' x 1" wide, lime woven braid
Note: Ribbons were chosen with different weaves and colors to create an imaginative mix and the yarns for how they compliment the ribbons and denim.  Follow my lead or rummage through your pile of notions and yarns and do it in another style.
1 skein Debbie Bliss Cotton Denim in Aran, 100% cotton yarn, 50 g/74 yards, color 14503,
1 skein Schachenmayr's Catania, 100% cotton yarn, 50 g / 135 yd, color citron
1 pair size 7 knitting needles
1 knitting sewing needle
3" carabiner

+ your basic sewing and knitting materials

How to Do It - Step-by-Step

Cut the Jeans:
Cut your jeans 2" below your knee and zigzag stitch the cut edge.  
Sew the Ribbon Trim:
Cut ½ yard off the lime braid and set aside for the loops.  
With 1/8" overlap, pin the two ribbons together, lengthwise.  
Baste, remove pins and machine zigzag stitch together.
Cut the length in half. Fold back the top edge ½" on one strip, align to the side seam where it joins the waistband and pin along the side seam, to the cuff. Trim any excess ribbon at the cuff. Baste in place, remove pins and zigzag stitch the ribbon around the perimeter. Repeat on the other side seam with the other strip of ribbon. 

Knit the Rib Cuffs:
Knit a pair of 1 x 1 rib cuffs. Directions for Small (Medium, Large) sizes correspond to a finished circumference of 3 ½", 4 ½", 5 ½".

Note: Check that the measurement will fit snug around your calf and adjust as necessary, adding or subtracting stitches in pairs.
With Cotton Denim Aran, cast on 45 (49, 53) stitches.
Row 1 (RS) K1, *p1, k1; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 P1, *k1, p1; repeat from * to end.
These 2 rows form the rib pattern. Repeat these 2 rows for 6 more rows.
Switch to Catania and work 2 rows.
Switch to Cotton Denim and work 2 rows.
Switch to Catania and work 2 rows.
Switch to Cotton Denim and work 2 rows.
Bind off all stitches using Cotton Denim. Cut yarn, leaving a 12" (30.5cm) length. Repeat for the second cuff.

Assemble the Knit Cuff:
Thread the extra yarn length on a knitting sewing needle and matching the stripes, sew up the rib seam on the wrong side. Securely knot all ends so they will not unravel. Repeat for the second cuff.
Attach the Knit Cuffs:
Fold the rib in half and pin the center of the fold to the cuff side seam. Align the seam of the rib cuff to the inside seam of the denim cuff. Stretch the ribbing, easing the knit rib evenly. The rib should overlap the denim ¾". Pin, baste and remove the pins. Hand stitch securely with the ochre thread. Remove basting. Repeat for the other cuff.  Lightly steam the seam.

Attach the Belt Loops:
Cut the remaining lime braid in half. Take one strip, overlap the ends 5/8" and stitch closed to form a continuous loop. Fold it in half. Pin on the front side waistband and fold it over the waistband (like above photo.) Baste, remove pins. Zigzag stitch in a cross as in the photo. Remove basting.

Repeat with the other strip, adding a loop on the back waistband. Hook a key carabineer on a loop, snap on a memento or cell phone – and you're off! Enjoy your comfy, cropped, denim-joggers!

DIY Denim Hobo Bag

Awhile ago my cousin was chatting about her beginner sewing adventures. So when I was recently in Portland, we caught up and she pulled out her in-progress denim “hobo bag.”  It certainly is a super solution for a pair of has-been jeans:

 - the legs have been cut off;

- the bottom sewn closed;

- a pair of comfortable denim straps were added, cut from the legs;

- and a cheerful lining is now pinned in place, ready to be stitched.

Thanks to Sandy, her neighborhood's amazing sewing whiz, who not only stitched together the charming patched lining to ensure a touch of polish, but also taught my cuz to pin, cut and sew the denim – including those long, hefty shoulder straps that she proudly pointed out.

I adore the collaboration and the generosity, of sharing sewing skills, patterns, creativity and leftover fabrics, with a true beginner. After further investigation, it seems that Sandy is sharing her knowledge all over the place.  She does all the mending at her local clothing redistribution center so that needy kids can dazzle with their "new" clothes.  And over the years she has taught Girl Scouts, exchange students, as well as her own children, to sew. (In fact, some of her Girl Scouts funded their way to Mexico and Europe by sewing and selling their wares.) She herself, learned to sew from sitting on her mother’s knee, Girls Scouts and Home Ec, back when it existed in schools.

Sewing stories are also stories about life!

Hmm…have you any sewing or mending adventures to share?

Jeans come in all sizes

Visiting dear friends ...

a mom, her daughter and growing son,

all in jeans,

every which way,

even in need of a touch up repair or two.