How can I take old jeans and reupholster my wing back chair?

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Working with denim in little cut pieces is very difficult due to the extreme fraying of the fabric.It is very difficult to try to tuck in or fold under the raw edges. If you want to try to reupholster a chair with denim, then use the widest yardage that you can find. I would discourage you from trying to use old jeans.

I agree. I'd wait for a sale and then buy. If it is still too expensive, look for end of rolls and collect. Make sure that you have sufficiently long pieces for cover the longer runs of back and front. What I am contemplating trying with old jeans (a vast quantity will be required) is cutting them into strips, using a bias tape maker to roll the raw edges and making a simple woven rug. I am thinking of sisal or jute or even another sturdy fabric for either the warp or the weft. If you cover your chair in purchased fabric, you could then make a coordinating rug.

The other option is to buy end pieces of really colourful "country" cottons and make a backed slipcover in a patchwork pattern. An old (or new) faded quilt also works well for upholstery and has the added advantage of a polyester filler for plushness. I took two matching quilts from my stock of linens and slipcovered an enormous huge antique sofa (recently reupholstered in expensive velvet) that was in a semi-furnished rental cottage. With 5 cats, I feared damage. I did it in sections and used Velcro to hold the various sections together. It not only protected this sofa, it looked great. If you are wedded to the idea of denim, you will likely have to purchase the fabric. Be sure to finish the edges.

Like everyone else said, old jeans are hard to work with.