What to Do With Old Jeans—7 Creative Ideas You’ll Actually Use

Make a Denim Dog Toy

Dog toys are a DIY project where durability is key, and denim can withstand at least a few weeks of dog play. And conveniently, the legs from an old pair of jeans are the perfect size for easily crafting a dog toy with basic sewing skills.

"Patterns are really easy to make, just print off a shape that you like and cut your fabric out, leaving a little bit extra around the edges for seam allowance," explains Niki Gordon, founder of Love Newfoundlands. "Then sew it together, leaving a small enough opening for the stuffing and a squeaker or two. Once you're satisfied with the amount of stuffing, sew the last opening closed."

Frame a Sentimental Pair of Jeans

If you've ever seen a piece of clothing framed, you know that it can transport you back to a fleeting moment. It's as if it's still being worn in a time warp.

"I met my husband in 2007 at a rodeo over his pair of Wrangler jeans with a ripped back pocket, a moment I still have a photograph of to this day," says Ashley Southworth, owner of Southworth Interior Design.

While the jeans were on their last leg, they were a charming reminder of a sentimental moment, and she wanted to give them a place of honor in their home. Putting them into a frame preserves that time in their life. "Denim holds memory, wear, and story in a way few materials do, and framing meaningful pieces like this can turn clothing into deeply personal, conversation-starting art," says Southworth.

Craft a Pocket Ornament

Have an old pair of jeans that's been with you through good times and bad? Want to commemorate them despite their too-far-gone condition? Turn the pockets into a charming ornament that's embroidered with a meaningful message. "You can make it Christmasy, but it doesn't have to be, just cut out a piece of old jeans and decorate it with a word you like, your word of the year," says Sarah E. White, chief maker at Our Daily Craft.

Use Old Jeans for Upholstery

Denim is incredibly durable—there's a reason it's been a go-to fabric for both work and casual wear for generations. And that's exactly why it's also a great option for upholstery. Reusing denim from a few pairs of old jeans for a reupholstery project is not only a great way to source inexpensive, durable fabric, but it's also a sustainable option. "I suggest working with a local upholsterer to reupholster an accent chair or sofa using vintage denim," says Southworth. "The fabric’s worn-in softness makes it surprisingly comfortable, while giving new life to something already loved and lived in."

Utilize the Pockets for Storage

Pockets are usually among the last things to go on an old pair of jeans, so they're ideal for storing other items, whether it's a t-shirt or a tote. Simply remove them with a seam ripper and sew them in their new home. "Since the pockets are still intact, it's easy to organize items like keys, phones, and art supplies," says Elizabeth Cary, craft expert and founder of PaintMeLike.

Use the Denim for Patches

If your denim is tattered and worn beyond repair, don't worry. There's still an easy way to salvage even the smallest scraps of your old jeans, particularly if it's a sentimental pair that you'd like to live a second life. Cary says, "Old jeans can also be used as elbow or knee patches on kids’ clothing."

Turn Old Jeans Into an Apron or Smock

Thick denim is a workhorse when it comes to DIY, and that goes for protecting yourself from the DIY mess, too. "Denim is most useful in home and kids' projects. Old jeans can be repurposed as sturdy aprons or artist smocks," says Cary.