Fab Fabrics: Repurposed Denim

by Becky Striepe November 9, 2010, 7:30 am 4 Comments

We’ve talked before about the high impact from denim production. While there are more sustainable denim options out there, the most eco-friendly option is probably second hand denim. Here are some tips for how to find and repurpose gently-used denim.

Where to Find Second-Hand Denim

Thrift stores are a great resource for old jeans, denim skirts, and denim dresses. Most thrift shops have a huge jeans selection, so you can hunt for just the finish you’re after.

You can also find denim in your very own closet from time to time. I recently shrunk a pair of my husband’s jeans (oops!), so we’re probably going to turn those into cutoffs. Why send the rest of the pants leg to the landfill when there are so many great craft projects you can make from that fabric?

Here are a few ideas to get you going. Remember: denim is pretty heavy fabric, so you want to make sure you’re using the right needle. Pick up a heavy weight needle to make life easier for yourself!

Next>> Miniskirt

Written by Becky Striepe

My name is Becky Striepe (rhymes with “sleepy”), and I am a crafts and food writer from Atlanta, Georgia with a passion for making our planet a healthier, happier, and more compassionate place to live. My mission is to make vegan food and crafts accessible to everyone!. If you like my work, you can also find me on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.