One thing I love to do is repurpose old jeans that are in such bad shape that they can’t be donated. It’s a great way to keep things out of our landfills and save a little money by making do instead of buying new. That was the thought behind this project. I used a pair of my husband’s old pants and, with a few tweaks, turned it into this useful kitchen item. Stick around to learn how to make an apron out of of old jeans.

Jeans are the main focus of this design, but I added a pink ruffle for a little flair. I think it makes the apron more fun. Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert sewist. This apron is easy and fun to make.

Supplies You’ll Need

• One pair of jeans (I used larger men’s jeans)
• One yard of cotton fabric
• Good scissors
• Seam ripper
• Quilter’s ruler
• Strong rotary cutter
• Strong sewing needles
• Pins (you’ll need a lot)

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Cutting the Jeans

The measurements for the denim are in the photo above. The following instructions will show you how to disassemble the jeans.

1. Choose a used pair of jeans that is free of any noticeable tears or stains.
2. Cut off the legs just below the seam between the legs.
3. Cut out the front center seam and zipper.

1. Lay out the jeans.
2. Using good scissors, cut off the front of the jeans, using the side seam as a guide. Before cutting, remember that you’ll need 20 1/2″ on top and 23 1/2″ on the bottom, so you may need to keep part of the front of the jeans.
3. Remove the belt loops.

1. Trim the denim to: Top waist = 20 1/2″, Bottom hem 23 1/2″, Sides will measure approximately 15 1/2″. Before you cut, mark all 4 corners with a pen. These marks will be your cutting lines. Using your ruler to help guide you, cut from mark to mark.
2. Fold under and pin down both sides, making a 1/4″ finished edge.
3. Sew down the hem on both sides.

Note: This apron fits a medium to extra large adult. To make it smaller, just adjust the length of the waist and hem accordingly. To make it larger you can add panels to the right and left.

Adding the Sash

To make the sash use the measurements noted in the photo above. Then follow the instructions below.

1. Cut two strips, 5″ by the width of the fabric. The standard width of fabric is about 42″ wide.
2. With right sides facing each other, sew the two strips together on one of the short ends. This will give you a strip about 5″ by 82″. Trim to the desired length.
3. Hem the edges. Fold and press each end of the strip down approximately 1/4″. Sew down to secure.

1. Fold and press the strip in half, lengthwise, right sides together. Sew down the entire length of the fabric using a 1/4″ seam. This will form a long tube. (No photo available)
2. Turn the sash inside out.
3. Press the sash and then attach to the top of the denim by pinning the center of the sash to the center of the top (waist side) of the denim. Match the raw edge of the denim to the seam of the sash and pin along the top. Sew the sash on using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Make sure to backstitch at the beginning and the end.

How to Make the Ruffle for the Apron

You’ll need plenty of pins for this step. The measurements in the photo above are for a subtle ruffle. If you want a fuller ruffle add a few inches to the length of the fabric.

1. Cut a piece of fabric 10″ by 27 1/2″.
2. Hem both of the 10 inch sides by turning the fabric in about 1/4″ and pressing and then sewing down.
3. Fold in half, wrong sides together, long edge to long edge. (No photo available)
4. Lay the fabric on top of the denim, lining up the raw edges of the folded fabric and the raw edge of the bottom of the denim. The fabric will be longer, but that is ok. (No photo available)
5. Start pinning the ruffle onto the bottom edge of the denim. Pin the center of the denim hem to the center of the fabric. Then pin the corners, matching up the corner of the fabric to the corner of the denim. Pin on both corners.

1. Find the center of the fabric on the smaller sections and pin.
2. Continue finding the centers of the sections and pin.
3. Pin like this along the entire edge until you are happy with how it looks.

Using a 1/4 seam allowance, sew along the edge, beginning and ending with backstitching.

Recycled Jeans Make a Great Apron

I hope you give this easy project a try. It’s fun and practical at the same time.

Are you looking for more denim projects? Learn how to make this great quilt here.