Aug282010
34 Comments
Survival Survey: What do you do with old jeans?
image by flickrohit
We are a Levi-wearin’ family, no doubt about it. It’s not unusual for the four of us to jump in the Tahoe wearing basically identical medium blue, boot-cut Levis. Eventually, though, I end up with a pile of old jeans, ripped and worn out, that I’m not sure what to do with. I just hate throwing them away; maybe it’s all that otherwise good fabric that seems a shame to just put in a dumpster. I make cut-offs for the kids (and they are quite a sight among their fashion-conscious peers!), but otherwise, I don’t know what else to do with all these jeans.
So, today’s Survival Survey is mostly for my own selfish benefit. Help me! What do you do with old jeans?
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Survival Survey: What is your #1 stock-up item?
SALT/ OIL/ VINEGAR/WATER /CAST IRON /CHARCOAL/ DRY FOODS
Why Getting in Shape Should be Part of Your Apocalypse Preparations
I hope I didn't make it seem like I disagreed with your article. Quite
Survival Survey: What is your #1 stock-up item?
there is other stuff you can take for your stints 1 of my best friends
Survival Survey: What is your #1 stock-up item?
soap is no more dangerous to make than cooking dinner if you a careful
aslansavz
If you're crafty – you can make carry-all bags out of them. Or skirts. And a quick google brought up a great list! http://www.wisebread.com/twenty-five-things-to-do… . I might have to look at a few of these for Christmas presents from the boys!
Andrea
I cut old blue jean legs into squares and make scrappy denim and flannel quilts. I made one for my son's toddler bed that had a pocket sewn on the front, just perfect for holding a teddy bear
I also keep one in the back of both vehicles. Perfect for emergencies or picnics.
My 4 year old daughter is beginning to get some height on her, so I sew strips of denim into a ruffle and attach it onto the bottom of her sundresses….the play ones that she wears around the house. The extra inch or two in length will get her through the summer…and the denim sort of 'toughens up' some of the girly dresses.
Denim also makes great hot pads for the dinner table. All you need is 2 pieces of denim and a thick lining. You could also make cute pot holders out of them.
Or draft dodgers…you know those things you fill with fluff and then put them at the bottom of the door to stop drafts.
How about cut a couple scraps, sew them up and fill with rice to use as one of those microwaveable heating pads?
Michaela
I make quilts out og old jeans
MelissaB
When you make cut offs, keep the legs. You can cut each leg along one seam and make a heavy duty apron by adding just a bit of ribbon or strapping. Cut holes, like button holes and tie a piece of ribbon/strapping to make the neck strap and two more, one at each side to be able to fasten at the waist. These are great for cooking something that may spatter oil, for when painting or for anything that a thin cotton apron may not hold up through.
Melinda
We use some of ours to make herbal heat wraps, they are wonderful: http://www.ehow.com/how_2343685_herbal-hotcold-pa…
Donna
My daughter makes and sells really cute aprons using denim from old denim skirts and jeans. So much fun and functional at the same time.
apartmentprepper
My daughter made denim purses out of jeans and decorated them with beads and sequins for a while; other than that, we give kids' jeans to another family with younger kids who want the hand me downs. One of my unfinished projects involves making potholders out of my and my husband's old jeans.
Guest
I read a couple of years ago that Goodwill sells torn demin by the ton to a company that makes home insulation batts from them so I no longer feel bad about dropping off jeans in rough shape there. I do save up until I have enough to bag them separately so their employees can save the time spent sorting.
My husband once delivered bales of recycled jean cotton fluff to a company that makes the paper our money is printed on. I assume they were sourcing their jeans from thirft stores too.
Jane
I have done most of the above and also pot holders, drink coasters, pillow covers for animal beds I make these with Velcro closers for easy removal to clean, pillow cases, purse organizers both zippered and velcroed ( makes them easy to clean just throw them in the wash), Seat covers for your home or your vehicle ( for Dogs and cats and my children), The quilts I have made are denim on one side and bed sheet material on the other with either new batting or an old comforter in the middle and knotted. I have also made some picnic quilts, denim on one side and oil cloth or water proof material on the other side. I have also turned them into skirts, aprons,bibs,baby knee runners, and some of the best bags. You can also make some of the neatest draw string bags in different sizes. These can be used to pack away just about anything like sleeping bags, shoe bags(for travel) clothes, Dirty clothes and whats nice about that is you can throw the bag into the wash and dry it and then replace with clean clothes. I learned how to make these bags in Home economics class over 20 years ago. This year two of my nieces wanted blue jean pillow cases, curtains, and a dust ruffles to go along with the blue jean quilts I made for them last year. SO there Christmas presents are already made. I sometimes find nice colored jeans such as red, orange, yellow and green. I made the neatest rainbow quilt for my little girl. The quilts are heavy but they are sure warm depending on the material you use. The possibilities are endless. When I got to the thrift store near me it is not uncommon to find blue jeans in the scrap material bin for .25cents to 1.50 for a torn up pair of jeans in any size.
This year I am gathering blue jeans up to make Shade curtains for my back porch, I have an area that gets a lot of sun an this will help to shade that area when I get them made. I will spray the outside and the inside of the material with a waterproof spray add grommets where it will easily slide on the curtain rods and there ya go. Instant water proof sun shade that can be removed and washed if necessary. I also wanted to have a way of blocking out the view so that when my little girl comes in from playing or swimming she can drop her clothes and walk inside. Saves me from cleaning up dripping water or mud through my house.
Andrea thanks for the great idea I will try that on my girly's clothes now.
Peacekeeper357
If you make cutoffs, save the legs and sew one end, fill with sand then fold over the other end. They'll make good sandbags for when the SHTF.
Diane@Peaceful Acres
I read your blog all the time and am grateful for what you share. Thanks.
I made up a bunch of aprons from old jeans. You have to put a fabric triangle where the crotch is, and then a fabric tie…they're cute! However, I NEED a full apron, I'm so messy.
StrivingSimply
When I was young, I'd cut around the pockets of old jeans, put magnets on it, and use it as a pen pocket for my locker.
T
My current project is pillow covers from old torn jeans to make all the pillows in our living room match! (I've only done one so far, though, because my sewing machine is cheap and easily snags.)
Here's the link for details: http://www.funinthemaking.net/2008/03/30/jeans-re…
rightwingmom
Could the pockets be used as sachets or brewing bags?
(Just thinking outside the box.)
jhoward98
I have a couple of pair of denim jeans that I have been holding onto because I just can't get up the muster to throw them away. A little weird for me because i don't have a problem throwing out other jeans. I usually give them away. I haven't ever made shorts out of mine.
Kelly
I have been saving them to make a jeans quilt for the couch. Jeans quilts are heavy, which I love for a drafty location, and pretty much dog proof because they are so sturdy. No real quilting involved, just sew patches together with a 1/2" seam and clip them when the whole top is done to help them fray attractively. You can back each patch with flannel for extra softness and more color in the frayed seams if you like.
galen066
What about making small purses, black powder aficionado 'possibles bags', belt pouches for wallets, cell phones, Leathermans, etc., tool rolls and dozens of other possibilities.
Kandi
Years ago some hippie wanabe friends of mine took old jeans and totally redid the iinterior of their car, made covers, even took the inside door panels off and covered them with old jeans and then put the panels back on. They were groovin. lol
rightwingmom
Hold on to your "skinny" jeans. When the SHTF we'll probably all drop a few lbs. and can fit back in them again.
gen224
I generally keep the old ones around to patch the newer ones (matching shades, of course). I've found my ability to cut up and then satin-stitch patches (around the edges and on the inside of the jeans) is quite good and my husband has been happy to have them patched when something wears out on the newer jeans.
Of course, right now with our adjustment to live in the desert, NO ONE is wearing jeans around here – I'm not sure that even in the throes of January we'll put on more than shorts/skirts and Birkenstocks!
Bets'
I still have my incredibly patched up hippie Landlubbers from the early 70's. Scissors will never come within a mile of them. And weighing 30lbs more since then, my hips will never come within a mile of getting back in 'em either. (lol rwmom!)
I tend to wear my daughters' cast off jeans, especially in the yard or painting. (they're young adults & we're basically the same size, so no, I'm not running around in kid's clothing)
I got the idea to make one of those plastic bag holders after I bought a cheap one. I knew I could make a better one. That's where the cut-off legs come in handy, a little elastic and now they hang at the campsite, the shed, bsmt, backhall & linen closet. I loved the idea of using the pockets with magnets as holders for lotsa things.
CM, missouri
Sorry if I'm repeating what is above but I like making a very durable apron for gardening/cooking/working on a car/working outside/ etc. They also make the best potholders I have ever used. Put a little batting in-between and you can make a large one that will keep your hand safe.
Leon Pantenburg
Make charcloth for your survival kit! Here's how: http://survivalcommonsense.com/2010/03/27/make-ch…
Or, you can cut up the jeans and melt down all your old chandles. Dip the jeans in the melted wax. When dry it makes great firestarter!
TheSurvivalMom
Great tip, Leon! A really enterprising person could turn their jeans into scads of these firestarters and sell them at gun shows or outdoor expos!
L P
Under austere conditions:
Strips of denim can be used for tourniquets. (pre-cut….)
Patches for damaged tarps.
Patches for damaged jeans or other heavy clothing.
Added material for heavy use items… i.e., double thickness knees, britches, elbows, shooting shoulder, etc…
Skull cap….
In strips, properly sewn…. a new belt.
Cut down, used as a harness or load-carrier for your big dog.
Recovering material for motorcycle seats, chairs, tree stand seats, etc….
Adding a liner to clothing, sewn such as to provide pockets for gear, weapons, medical kits, home made flak plates.
Bandoleers… and they blend in when not concealed!
Scarecrow?? Never tried that one….
meemoe
I've enjoyed reading all of these tips. Just a thought….. "sewing" was a big part of most of these suggestions. What if there is no electricity? I was fortunate enought to pick up a treadle machine last year at an estate sale for $80 – cabinet and all. It's not a fancy looking "antique" but does the job. I don't think I would be a happy camper if I couldn't sew but the above tips really made it a must for me.
TheSurvivalMom
I agree that sewing is a must-have skill. I'm so thankful I grew up in the era of Home Ec classes for girls and a mom who knew how to sew. Estate sales often have sewing machines and you might even get lucky enough to find a treadle machine, http://www.estatesales.net/.
Tina
My mom has an old treadle machine, and I would LOVE to have one of my own! Definitely on my wish list:)
jan
I repurpose old jeans in many ways. I have used them in scrapbooking and sewing projects. Last year I cut strips and tied them to haor band for western day at my daughters school. We also use old jeans to make scare crows for fall decorating.
Anne
I have used the material to make arm-guards against brambles for when I'm picking wild berries.
This year, for the first time, I had a pie but didn't have scratched-up arms to go with it.
Take care & God bless
Anne
NFlaGator
Having lived in Florida most of my life, when I bought my home in North FL we also installed a house Generator. It has been used several times in the past few years, (even when there wasn't a single storm cloud in the sky). The last thing I made with old jeans was a big floppy bed pillow for my yellow lab, complete with zipper (recycled from an old jacket) for easy removal. I do enjoy sewing by hand as well.
I like the pot holder idea. And the Porch shade idea too as we just built a porch to help shade some of the back of the house which faces the west and is terribly hot all summer long.
Thanks
Tina
I've made denim quilts, purses/shoulder bags, and some day I would like to make an area rug!
Michelle
Quilts, patches (a little embroidry thread and a denim patch can go a long way and can actually look pretty cool), pot holders, patchwork fabric for sewing projects like vest, coats, pants, skirts, stuffed animals, crafts, etc…. if you really wanted to get creative I'm sure you could make some awesome, insulated curtains that would keep drafts out really well. Quilted curtains make great energy savers and look beautiful as well.
Crystal
NO SEW IDEA-use the pockets as trivets.They are wonderful. Also,(sewing required) I’ve done purses and bible bags,currently I’m saving the waist bands to make a rug. I’m also saving the seams from them-any ideas for those? Maybe tying something up or straps? CRAFT TIP-Jeans do not stay together with hot glue.