I have found a great way to recycle the denim overalls my husband wears out, with no waste. Cut the top bib portion off around the waist area and triple stitch it shut using a heavy duty coat thread. Next, go up to where the bibs "clip" on. Triple stitch that down as well, and you now have secure handles. You have just created a washable shopping bag!
For a clothespin holder, do the same as above, but don't stitch the straps down - you will need to unbuckle them to hang it on your clothes line.
Now, for the legs, cut them into squares, of either 4, 5, or 6 inches (depending on the size of the legs). Save your squares until you have enough to make a lap quilt, or even a bed quilt out of. It can be all denim, or alternate with another fabric, such as cotton or flannel. I made one several years ago and backed it with a brand new thrift store flannel sheet that I bought for 50 cents.
My husband usually wears out 3 pairs a year. I try to mend the rears and patch the knees, but after awhile it is just time to recycle them. The "softer" the legs, the softer your quilt will be. Children love to get a blanket or purse made from Grandpa or their favorite uncle's old overalls!
By mom-from-missouri from NW MO
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have several pairs of my husbands old overalls. The legs are worn thin and ripped, but the top bib part is still good fabric. Any ideas what craft I could use these for? I had been saving them to replace the bib clips on a good pair that break, but I have a good supply of those now.
April from NW MO
Add a skirt and wear them yourself :)
Hi there.
Just a thought. Try cutting the overalls just below the bib. Turn inside out and stitch across. Turn right way out and fill with pegs. Hang from the line by placing the straps over the line and clipping together.
If you still have the bibs from the overalls I would be interested it buying them.
I have 3 or 4 pairs if u are still interested. I am looking for ideas on things I can make from them.
add material to the bib and make an apron
You can make aprons out of the top part. Cut jeans down side leaving the pockets on. Cut on the back off down to the crotch then cut from one side to the other and hem the sides then the bottom. Then take a piece of jean that is good then make a stripe to go around you head to cover the top.
Make denim purses or carry bags & use the bib part as the flap. Claudia from AZ
My father-in-law passed away and he had a bunch of overalls and red bandanas. Do you have any ideas for using overalls and the bandanas to make a Christmas tree skirt?
Check out this video. I think you could cut out his items into these shapes and sew them together nicely:
www.youtube.com/
What a wonderful way to commemorate him. Good luck on your project.
As long as you piece the fabric into a circular shape, you will be fine. Here is a tutorial. www.diynetwork.com/
Just off the top of my head, I'm thinking a full skirt for a pattern and lay it open and place one piece of clothing to cover over an area and snip with scissors to match the skirt allowing enough to sew another piece of measured clothing to it. Face down over the other face up and pin in place and trim with scissors and use glue gun or sew together raw edges. Open all the way and add another piece of clothing face down to the face up cut clothing.
This is a page about making two aprons from jean overalls. One pair of jeans overalls provides what you need to make two different aprons.
