How to Make a Woven Basket With Old Jeans
You don’t know what to do with your old jeans? Here is an idea for recycling them: make a woven basket!
It’s easy, but it does take some time. It's totally worth it, though, because you'll end up with a nice, stylish weaved basket and, since you only used recycled materials, it'll be completely cost free (which is always a good thing in my opinion).
You will need some old denim jeans, a pair of scissors, a sewing machine, and a container to use as a model for your basket (I used a bucket).
Cut strips of jeans +/- 1″ wide and sew them end to end to make a long “ribbon”. You should have about 20 strips (as long as the pants you use) to make the base of the basket. The number of denim ribbons depends of the size of the basket you want to make. The bigger the basket is, the more strips for the base you will need. I started with 8 strips of fabric that I tied with a knot in the center.
Tie a knot with the ends of your “ribbon” in the center and start to weave. Pass the ribbon around the strips. Once above, once below ….
You weave until you have your desired size for the base of your basket. You must occasionally pull the strips to adjust weaving. Place the base on your model (bucket, bowl …) and continue to weave the sides of your basket. Depending of the size of the basket you want to make, you may have to add strips of fabric to properly weave the side of your basket. If the weaving is too loose, the basket won't stand by itself.
Once you have completed weaving, you have to finish the edge of the basket. You’ll attach the strips of fabric together by tying knots. Your basket is almost done. You can cut the extra strip lengths and fold them inside the basket. You can either sew or glue them to hold them inside.
Not too bad for a pair of old jeans! What do you think? If you're curious, I used two pairs of denim jeans to make this basket! If you still have some more pants to recycle, you can try to make a Denim rug.
Be sure to check my blog for more details and pictures.
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SO lovely! Thanx for sharing!
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I think I'll make a rug. Joining strips one at a time as I go by sewing them as they get short. My mother used to crochet rugs from old clothing by making even strips and sewing them together. Then rolling them into large balls to work from. Once she made a hugh one for the livingroom. It was beautiful. An Aunt had a 4 harnes set up for weaving and made denim rugs from used jeans. All are strong and wear well.
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You say: “4 harnes” as in ‘she set up 4 harnes for weaving’ etc. what are harnes?? I have never heard the term and am anxious to try to weave a rug. Thank you in advance for your explanation!
Penny
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Yes, how do you know the strips together and not have a bulge? In the picture it’s flat? So I’m not sure how you tie them.
Is it possible get a video tutorial.
Would you be able to extend the base to make a rug out of the denim?