What to do with worn out jeans?

[BogWalker]

Anyone have ideas for old jeans that aren't off of pinterest? I don't want to make pot holders, handbags, pillows, collages, or anything like that. Something practical and useful. I'd hate to throw away four pairs. They're too ripped up to really wear anymore but it's a waste to throw away that much material. I'm wondering about the practicality of making ammo pouches out of them. Maybe a belt? Rucksack?

Maybe a large rain coat/great coat for use in the woods. Would be super ugly, but I could waterproof it and make one heck of a coat for hiking.

Any ideas for recycling these? From simple to complex doesn't matter. I'm a rather ample size so there's plenty of material there.

 

[Suprtek]

Shooting vest

Tool bag/pouch

Book covers

Hats

I'm sure there are lots of very practical uses for good denim.

 

[Jeepster48439]

I've got the same question. Hope we get a good number of suggestions.

 

[Leo]

Usually the legs below the knees are pretty good shape. If you look at how the bottom is made, it is not too hard to figure out how to put two cords through the folded material. Measure up from there and sew the other end shut. Makes a durable duffle for things like wrenches and motorcycle tire irons that you carry in your saddle bags, and other stuff that may need to be kept together. I have one with Muzzle loader balls, patches, and a powder measure, I have another in the car with a few emergency breakdown supplies. I even have a blackpowder revolver in one. They tend to get really filty, so when the jean leg duffle gets too dirty, I just throw it away and make a new one.

Too bad the "elephant" bell bottoms we wore in 1970 are no longer in style, you could make some pretty big duffles out of those.

 

[chocktaw2]

Anyone have ideas for old. I'd hate to throw away four pairs. They're too ripped up to really wear anymore but it's a waste to throw away that much material. I'm wondering about the practicality of making ammo pouches out of them. Maybe a belt? Rucksack?

Maybe a large rain coat/great coat for use in the woods. Would be super ugly, but I could waterproof it and make one heck of a coat for hiking.

Any ideas for recycling these? From simple to complex doesn't matter. I'm a rather ample size so there's plenty of material there.

Yeh, put them on a hanger at Walmart with a sticker of $53. You'll move them in no time!

 

[ghostdncr]

Cut the bottoms off and make brush leggings, or cut them up for patching sub-caliber balls in your musket! Yeah, I use denim for shooting .69 cal balls in my .75 cal Brown Bess. Works great! You guys do have muskets, right?

 

[Bapak2ja]

Give them to the best-looking girl you know. Just make sure the rips and gaps are in the most interesting places.

 

[sharkey]

Give them to the best-looking girl you know. Just make sure the rips and gaps are in the most interesting places.

 

[Fishersjohn48]

Something like this maybe?

 

[SkinNFluff]

My wife was working on making a jean quilt with all of our old jeans. She was nearly finished with it when we lost everything in a fire. Maybe one day we will try to make one again.

 

[MrHank]

My wife was working on making a jean quilt with all of our old jeans. She was nearly finished with it when we lost everything in a fire. Maybe one day we will try to make one again.

My wife has already made one to fit a queen size bed and is now working on another.

 

[ghostdncr]

Sharkey and FishersJohn, you both know you're going to hell for that, right?

 

[sharkey]

Sharkey and FishersJohn, you both know you're going to hell for that, right?

No, I'm not. If anyone had repped me, then maybe. And they would probably be going with me.

 

[MCgrease08]

Get some gel and film some ballistics tests.

 

[Lost Californian]

Sand bags for your shooting bench.

 

[karl77]

bags for hauling chain and binders in or very durable shop rags.

 

[chezuki]

Make denim micarta for knife handles. All you need is some fiberglass resin and a vice.

 

[BogWalker]

Leo gave me an idea when he said he stored a black powder revolver in one of his denim duffels. I think my first project will be to make a denim flap holster for my 1851 Colt reproduction. Wouldn't be much in the way of protection for said firearm, but it would retain it if I go for a hike. I've got a bunch of buttons so the flap could be secured with one to keep the revolver from falling out. Could probably pad it with some fleece I've got or a second layer of denim for a bit more protection.

I'm not very good with sewing, but this won't be too difficult of a project.

 

[Redtbird]

What has been seen, can never be unseen...

 

[Indy_Guy_77]

A friend's dad would make pouches from the lower legs and then fill them with shot pellets and use them as shooting bags.

Not sure how easy it is to source shot these days - but a coarse sand or a tiny pea gravel may work, too.

-J-