Using old jeans/pants for kids clothes???

**checkerkitty** · 09-24-2007, 02:49 PM

Anyone ever used old clothes from DH or yourself to make pants or tops for little ones? DH is VERY hard on his clothes esp. pants. He likes them a little too long and the cuffs wear out very quickly. He also gets holes in strange places, too. He's got a couple of pairs of jeans with holes from battery acid! Anyway, he can't wear ragged clothes to work and I hate throwing stuff out. So I was thinking today that a pair of jeans or pants would probably have enough usable material for at least a couple of pairs of shorts for a child. I'm not an expert seamstress but that doesn't sound too hard. Has anyone ever tried this? Do you have a pattern that you would recommend? Maker and number would be appreciated. DH needs to clean out his side of the closet soon anyway. I'm excited to try this. Thanks everyone!

Christy

**mommy4ever** · 09-24-2007, 03:08 PM

you could cut the fabrics into squares and make an heirloom quilt type thing. It can be difficult to make a garment from bigger stuff to smaller just because of differnent shapes, working around wear and holes etc. But if you're determined,it can work. My grandma clothed all 15 of her kids remaking donated clothes to fit her own brood. Personally, i'd do quilts, we never have enough..lol. I have to go through dh closet and take out all that doesn't fit or he doesn't wear and just make funky quilts withi t.

**Judi Dial** · 09-24-2007, 03:14 PM

Crochet a rug? I was in a flea market with a guy who sold jeans. The jeans he bought that had holes in the knee he had a seamstress cut down into shorts. He had all these legs left and he gave 'em to me. They made great strips! (I still have some. The rug was braided, but got taken apart, the person who made it didn't do a good job.)

Judi

**monkeywrangler71** · 09-24-2007, 04:16 PM

I make pyjamas for the kids out of old t-shirts, just using a basic t-shirt and shorts pattern. It is hard to get enough material out of old clothes though, so each piece is a different colour. I call them 'rag jammies', and they are actually quite cute and very comfy.

Pants are cut up for quilt pieces. The material is not very wide once it's taken apart and denim isn't the easiest thing to work with, so I've never attempted to make smaller clothes from old pants.

**TheRootedNomad** · 09-25-2007, 07:00 AM

I've got tons of old denim (sp?) that i'm currently making into grocery bags. I'm also planning on using it to make patchwork quilts for my boys. I don't think I'd attempt shorts for them. I'm just not that competant with a needle. If I had a little girl I might attempt a patchwork jumper out of it though.

**peanut** · 09-25-2007, 12:05 PM

I make tote bags, potholders, quilts, and recycle my old jeans into skirts for myself. I don't wait for holes to occur though. I don't use a pattern for any of these things.

For the skirt I slit open the inseam and a bit up the crotch in front and back. Lay the crotch area over the other side of the jeans and sew down. Then quilt or insert a piece of fabric front and back to fill the gap between the legs, and zigzag into place. Looks nice. You can make these any length too.

Jean

**Laurie in Bradenton** · 09-25-2007, 04:22 PM

I've got patterns for making hobby horse heads and dolls from old jeans.
We also make up quilts, pillows, purses and pot holder from old jeans.

Laurie in Bradenton

**ravenmaniac** · 09-25-2007, 07:10 PM

Denim is great for pot holders, quilts, totes, and vests. You may be able to make little throw pillows out of denim scraps. I love the crochet idea about making a rug. I think I'm going to have to try that one.