What to do with Old Jeans & Socks

United States
May 21, 2009 11:49am CST
In my family, which is rather large, we recycle, recycle, recycle. Not just the glass, and plastics, but clothes, toys... you name it, we try to get the most out of it! Over the years I have learned that small children are 1. messy and 2. not particular in the pattern on the washcloth. Which makes my first idea for frugal moms, dads, grandmas easy and wonderful! I cut up Dad's socks when he wear a hole in the toe or heel. I cut the top off, the toes off and slit up the side and these big socks make for GREAT washclothes in the kitchen, bathroom, anywhere! Best part is, they're not fancy or expensive, so when they get stained... who cares?!! My newest idea: Cutting Dad's jeans into placemts/towels! These are so cute hanging off the oven handle! My kids thought they were Dad's pants! Cut the legs off at the knees. (You can adjust the length to your taste) You won't be using the front part of the pants, just the backside. Cut in half; the left pocket and leg and the right pocket and leg - down the strong seam in the middle. You should have two pieces without the heavy seam that match and side to side look like the backside of jeans. You can stitch around or add lace to really cute it up... My kids use those as placemats. The best part is VERY ABSORBANT for spills! It's a built in towel too. And did I mention how cute they are hanging in the kitchen? Ok. That's all I have for today. Tell me some of your frugal crafty ideas that keep YOUR home running! Thanks for joining the discussion! BearBallew
4 people like this
12 responses
@thyst07 (2079)
• United States
24 May 09
That's a really great idea for jeans. I've been in need of some potholders for my kitchen, and I have at least one old, holey pair of jeans around. I do believe that I will use them to make some potholders! I often use old socks or t-shirts as rags. Another thing I've done with old socks that only have one or two holes is to mend the holes, and then fill the sock with rice and tie it shut. You can put it in the freezer for a cold pack or in the microwave for a hot pack. I like it much better than a hot water bottle.
2 people like this
@thyst07 (2079)
• United States
29 May 09
You just cut the fabric into the shape you want for the potholder. Cut several layers into the same shape, until you have enough layers to protect your hand from heat. Then sew around the edges of the layers to hold them together. My grandma used to do it with old sweatshirts, but I think that denim would be a strong enough fabric to work too.
1 person likes this
• United States
29 May 09
Great idea! How will you turn them into potholders? I'd love to try it!!
1 person likes this
• United States
23 May 09
When my socks are thrown out or repurposed, they are usually full of holes or stained, so I don't feel comfortable using them for washcloths or dishcloths. However, I do use them as cleaning rags and put the thicker ones in my shoeshine kit. As for blue jeans, I usually keep pieces of old blue jean to patch currently-worn jeans. That way, I can usually match the color, and the patch isn't as noticeable. I have also seen the legs of blue jeans cut off and used for making pillows. How clever is that? I haven't tried that one yet, but I really liked the idea.
2 people like this
• United States
23 May 09
I LOVE the pillow idea!! These are great! Keep adding to the list! I'm going to be so busy making cool stuff! BearBallew
@peavey (16936)
• United States
22 May 09
Haven't done this myself, but I read how to make a draft dodger (to put under drafty doors) from old socks. You cut the toes off and sew the resulting tubes together, then stuff them with more old socks. Sounds simple and effective!
1 person likes this
• United States
23 May 09
Very Cool idea!! Thanks for sharing! I sure have plenty of scoks to try it! Thanks for sharing! I'd love to hear more of your ideas! BearBallew
@venshida (4836)
• United States
22 May 09
How neat? I don't do anything special with old socks. They basically become my garden socks. I have used old jeans to make purses in the past.
• United States
23 May 09
Great ideas! Both of them! How do you make the purses? I also saw the cutest little girl jeans cut and lace edge turned into an apron for a little girl! Very cute. Thanks for sharing! BearBallew
@neenasatine (2841)
• Philippines
23 May 09
i usually turn old jeans into shorts... socks as rags... happy mylotting...
1 person likes this
• United States
29 May 09
Yup! We do that too! I forgot those! BearbAllew
@chookie1971 (2271)
• Australia
22 May 09
I have done anything like that. I have seen what one friend did. She got alot of old jeans and cut out squares. She sewed them all together and then sewed a boarder on. It turned out to be a quilt blanket made out of old jeans.
1 person likes this
• United States
23 May 09
My boyfriend's mother did the same thing! Since it was made from used blue jeans, it is REALLY soft!
• Australia
23 May 09
This one was really soft too. I was so amazed. I never thought it would have been soft.
• United States
23 May 09
I am saving the kids' special shirts and going to make a quilt for each one with my Mom.. when I get time!! Never thought about doing that with jeans! BearBallew
@shaggin (71666)
• United States
13 Mar 11
One time I made really cool placemats with a bunch of different pairs of jeans. I loved them. With old socks I cut the ankle part off and cut them open along the top of the foot and then I use these old socks as rags to wash the sinks etc. It works really well.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
30 May 09
I found this online. You can recycle an older pair of jeans and make it into a skirt. Here is the link for the how to.. http://www.allfreecrafts.com/sewing/recycled-jean-skirt.shtml For socks, dust rags or handpuppets for the kids are good. You could also use them to hold popurri in your dresser drawers.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
25 Mar 11
Hi. Bearballew. You are very crafty here! I have not made anything that would be useful for me. My grandmother on the other hand, has made a clothing sack out of a diamond shirt that I used to wear. It was very neat. It is the same pattern as my V-neck shirt was. I thought that it was very neat to see a shirt that I have worn made out of an clothing pin sack.
• United States
29 May 09
That is wonderful that you recycle everything! I think everyone should. Those are great ideas to reuse old jeans and socks. For socks I have made door draft things, by putting beans or cat litter in a sock and sewing it up. I just recently made a microwavable neck warmer out of a stray sock by putting some old flax seed into the sock and closing the top off. All I have to do is warm it in the microwave for a short time and wrap it around my neck or put it on my back. It is nice and soft. I haven't had many old jeans to reuse, but I have made shorts or a skirt out of the ones I did have. Those are great ideas you had.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
28 May 09
I have turned old jeans into skirts, especially those that are worn out at the hemline. You can even put your own designs on it. I have also made a cellphone pouch out of old jeans. Just cut the fabric according to the dimensions of your cellphone and sew the sides together, leaving one side for the zipper attachment.
@shibham (16977)
• India
29 May 09
hi there. i never think that what i shall do with my old jeans and socks. but my mom, she is a perfact housewife and usualy she uses my old socks to clean spiderweb. she rubs floor with socks and it is very easy process to clean. the old jeanses are generaly used as a bag. mom makes bags from my jeans to hang very small things. as u she fixes it to freeze handle also. thanks.
1 person likes this