There is a saying in my place that coconut tree is a heavanly tree, because every part of it can be reused. Coconut water becomes a drink, the kernel is used to make food and oil, the husk turns into coir and rope, the shell is crafted into bowls and handicrafts, the leaves are used for roofing and mats, and the trunk is used for furniture.
A pair of jeans is the textile version of that tree.
Panels can be turned into bags, garments, quilts
Pockets are used as design features
Waistband are re-stitched to make straps
Belt loops turn to holders
Zippers are reused in other stitching
Rivets turn into accents ; Even seam threads can be used to create texture in slow stitching
But to reuse it all like this, you should not cut it but de-construct it. If you just cut, it leads to a lot of waste. If you take it apart properly, you can use it like a resource (like the coconut tree).
Whenever I felt like recycling, I would grab a pair of jeans, cut them haphazardly, and take whatever piece I needed. But the internet showed me that it is so wrong. The net is today so full of the lovely things people make with different parts of the jeans ( I am constantly in a state of FOMO).
Cutting randomly and without a plan lead to lots of waste as I lost many usable shapes and finished edges. Instead, I should have taken the jeans apart seam by seam. Unpick seams, separate sections, and preserve finished edges.
If you just want to see the video on how to take apart the most difficult part of jeans, the waistband and be done with it, here it is:
Start with the right tools
Seam ripper: Use a bigger Seam ripper – denim seams are tight and thread is thick. Delicate or not so sharp seam rippers may not do.
Remember to use the seam ripper correctly so that it does not cut the fabric as you rip the seams with it. You have to place the red ball on the ripper tool to the inside of the seam. This prevents accidentally ripping the main fabric when ripping in long slides. Watch the video for a visual demonstration.
Sharp fabric scissors : If you think cutting is a chore already, denim is way mooorrreee difficult. You can try electric scissors.
Exacto blades – Some seams like those fixing belt loops and pockets are so thick, I use blades to pry them apart. But a problem is that the you may accidentally cut the fabric too. So you have to be careful. Tweezers can be used for pulling stubborn topstitch threads cleanly.
Pliers : To remove the rivets if you need to. Steam iron : Steam removes stubborn seam ridges. After the jeans is taken apart, use steam on the fold lines to restore the flatness – this is useful for permenantly folded waistbands and seam stitched pieces.
Seam order for taking apart Jeans
The correct sequence is to remove the waistband, detach pockets, open the side seams, and then separate panels carefully. This way, each piece becomes useable.
(Disclaimer: Some projects may requires a different method of deconstructing ; for example you would need to cut the jeans in half if you are making a skirt.; For a bag, some times you want the waistband intact. )
Waistband
Of all the parts of jeans I would tackle the waistband first and foremost. First remove the double stitching behind the buttons. Once it is loosened the rest of the stitching comes apart easily under the seam ripper.
Belt loops
When you reach the belt loops, the top part has to be loosened. The bottom part automatically comes apart when you take out the stitching on the waistband.
Side seams and inseams
Jeans have a flatfelled seams on the inseam which is not so easy to open up like a regular seam. Some people cut open along the thick seams and then reuse the ridge for making other things.
When opening the side seams, do not yank the top thread too hard. It can lead to the fabric stretching out of shape. No ripping open the seams. Unpick the seam threads carefully. Yes, it takes time. But you get more useable fabric this way.
Pockets
If you are not careful you will lose decorative stitching on the pocket and its beautiful shape.
Hardware
I would remove hardware like zippers and rivets after all other stitching is taken out.
Labels : Some jeans have labels made of leather but some others may have a synthetic material label.
I do not know if you can take the labels of the original manufacturer of the old jeans and put it on your creation and sell it. I have read that it can be a selling feature, especially if it is a famous brand. But I am not sure about the legality of it. Maybe you can state in your sales page that you made the item and has reused the label.
If you are making things for yourself, it is another matter. It is a no-brainer to use it, because all jeans labels are pretty and add to the character. If the label is dry and brittle (Some become so after repeated washing) the label may not be worth using – it will become more so with time. Some recyclers even like them broken and torn as it adds to the story.
You can add a coat of protection (polish, mod podge etc) over the synthetic ones, if you really want to keep them, to prevent them coming apart.
About batch deconstructing – when you have the time, dismantle a number of them all at once with your favourite audio book in the background. Seperate pockets, zippers, waistbands, and labels into bags and keep them ready for your projects. Some people segregate based on color, some by parts.
But, I do not prefer this. I cut as I go – keep jeans intact until I know exactly what I want to make. What if I want the waistband intact for a project but I have already taken it apart…….!!!I
Projects you can make
Once dismantled, you can create:
Tote bags
Aprons
Patchwork jackets
Quilts and blankets
Cushion covers
Fabric storage boxes & Organiszers
Coasters
Book covers
Easy denim top
All th other things you can make with old jeans
Many people may have some doubt about making things with old jeans and selling them – would they be arrested by the copyright police . No, there is something called The First Sale Doctrine (US Law); it is a rule in copyright and trademark law that says: once a brand sells you a physical product, its control over that particular item ends. You own that copy. You can wear it, resell it, cut it up, and/ or turn it into something else (as long as you do not mislead anyone).
So do with the old jeans into anything you want. Flaunt it, sell it, give it away….. just don’t throw it way.
