Painted and Sewn Flower Embellishments From Recycled Jeans

I hate throwing anything away. Especially old, worn blue jeans. It's hard to let go but once you decide that the old jeans are just too covered with paint, rips and other stains and such, you HATE the idea of tossing them. Blue jeans can be recycled into so many cool things. From hand bags to pocket organizers, the possibilities are endless.

I decided to cover an old pair with Jacquard's Neopaque and Lumiere paints, in random swatches.

I painted one color in random places, letting that color dry before moving on to the next one. I really didn't know where the whole process was going but I knew I loved the effect and color combination I used to make this Drip Art Painted Tote.

Once I had completely covered the jeans. I decided to cut them up and die cut them into layered flower shapes using my Sizzix BigShot die cutting machine and a layered flower die. Oh, I also threw in a pair of old leather pants that I haven't worn in a decade or so...

if you want to do this, alternate the leather pants (you could use an old purse or boots too) with the painted denim on the different shapes on the surface of the die.

Use fabric glue, such as Aleenes Fabric Fusion to glue the pieces together. Free form cut a circle for the center and place a pretty jeweled brad in the center to hold all the pieces together.

Boy! Does one pair of old jeans and leather pants make a ton of these flowers! Add to the whole effect by free form stitching around the edges of the flowers. You may need to trim the edges of the flanges of the brad so it does not hit your sewing needle if you get too close to the center.

I'll bet you can think of all kinds of things to do with these flowers created from painted and sewn pants. The first thing that came to my mind was fashion.

I sewed several to the neckline of a plain cotton top.

I made some cuffs by lining up three or four flowers and sewing them together at the edges.

I also created a statement necklace. Worn with the cotton top, its a look that is completely over the top.

What would you do with these flowers? Leave me a comment and let me know. I love hearing your unique ideas!

Live Life Creatively,

Comments

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[Bev]

These are just lovely! Must have a try!

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beautiful!!!

[Jeans Traders]

Wow.. just impressive & very unique!! I have never seen such creativity before.

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[Carmen]

I just love these! I had to do a double take because I didn't realize that the flowers were made of jeans. They are so clever and pretty!

[Dottie]

Soooo cute!! Great idea!

[Kathleen]

Does this type of paint keep the denim from fraying once it's die cut? And is it washable afterwards? I'm not at all familiar with painting fabric. I love the cuff bracelet idea. Very nice.

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This is a very significant blog. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Keep up the good job in posting very good topics.

[charlene]

I love that you had leather pants! I'd use them for hair pins. I hate throwing out jeans too!

[Tammy Tutterow]

I love these! Would you care if I shared a photo and link on the Sizzix blog on Saturday for I Spy?

[KathyH]

Hi Mel!
Leather pants, huh?

These flowers are the most unique I've seen. Love the combination of painted denim and leather. I would make a big, bold brooch out of one of them.