You're looking to create a beautiful and unique decorative basket adorned with flowers, all from recycled old jeans – what a wonderfully creative and sustainable project! Denim is fantastic for this because it's sturdy, holds its shape well, and offers a lovely textured base for your denim flowers.
This guide will walk you through creating a charming, structured basket, along with instructions for crafting the denim flowers to adorn it.
How to Sew a DIY Basket with Flowers from Old Jeans
I. Planning Your Upcycled Denim Basket
Careful planning is essential when upcycling, as it helps you get the most out of your jeans and ensures a cohesive final product.
Basket Purpose: Will it be for storage, a planter cover, or purely decorative? This will influence its size and how sturdy you make it.
Desired Basket Size:
Small (e.g., 6" tall x 6" diameter): Great for small trinkets, keys, or a tiny plant. You'll need less denim.
Medium (e.g., 8-10" tall x 8-10" diameter): Versatile for craft supplies, remotes, or a medium plant. This is a good target size for a single pair of adult jeans.
Large: Might require multiple pairs of jeans or very large ones.
Denim Choice:
Non-stretch or low-stretch denim is best for structure.
Varying washes (light, medium, dark) can add lovely contrast to your basket and flowers.
Ensure jeans are clean and ironed. Fading, distressing, or even small patches can add character.
Stabilization is Key! For a basket to hold its shape, it needs internal structure.
Heavyweight Fusible Interfacing: (e.g., Pellon 71F Peltex II Ultra Firm or Pellon 70 Peltex Ultra-Firm) is ideal. This is a stiff, board-like interfacing that will make your basket stand up beautifully.
Plastic Canvas/Mesh: For a super rigid bottom, you could cut a circle of plastic canvas and insert it into the base.
Flower Design: What kind of denim flowers do you envision? Simple rolled roses, layered petals, or something else? We'll cover simple layered flowers and rolled roses.
Lining (Optional but Recommended): A lining provides a clean interior, hides raw seams, and can add another layer of visual interest.
II. Gather Your Materials
Having everything ready before you begin will make the sewing process much smoother.
Old Jeans: 1-2 pairs of clean, ironed, sturdy denim jeans (depending on basket size).
Lining Fabric (Optional): 1/2 to 1 yard (0.45 to 0.9 meters) of medium-weight quilting cotton or broadcloth.
Heavyweight Fusible Interfacing: 1/2 to 1 yard (0.45 to 0.9 meters) of extra-firm, heavyweight fusible interfacing (e.g., Pellon 71F Peltex II Ultra Firm).
Matching Thread: All-purpose polyester thread. For topstitching or decorative seams on denim, consider a slightly thicker topstitching thread in a contrasting color (like gold, orange, or beige).
Hot Glue Gun & Glue Sticks: Essential for assembling the denim flowers.
Optional Embellishments for Flowers: Buttons, beads, small felt circles, fabric scraps for leaves.
Basic Sewing Supplies:
Sewing Machine: It needs to handle thick layers. A walking foot is highly recommended.
Heavy-Duty Needles: Denim needles (size 90/14 or 100/16) are absolutely essential.
Keep spares. Sharp Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter and Mat.
Long Quilting Ruler or Measuring Tape.
Fabric Chalk or Mark-B-Gone Pen (or a fabric marker).
Plenty of Wonder Clips (superior to pins for thick denim).
Iron and Ironing Board (crucial for pressing seams and fusing interfacing).
Seam Ripper (your best friend for deconstructing jeans!).
III. Prepare Your Jeans & Cut Fabric Pieces
This is often the most time-consuming part. Be patient with your seam ripper!
A. Deconstruct Your Jeans:
Cut Off Legs: Cut straight across both pant legs, just below the crotch seam.
Open Leg Seams: Use your seam ripper to carefully open up both the inseam (inner leg seam) and the outseam (outer leg seam) of each cut-off leg. This gives you two large, flat panels of denim. Iron these flat.
Harvest Pockets (Optional): You can use these as decorative elements on the basket or save them for another project.
Save Waistband (Optional): A piece of the waistband could be a decorative rim or handle.
B. Determine Your Basket Dimensions (Example: 8" tall x 8" diameter):
We'll use a consistent 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance throughout.
Basket Side Panel: This will be a rectangle.
Width: Circumference + (2 * Seam Allowance) = (Diameter * Pi) + 1" = (8" * 3.14) + 1" = 25.12" + 1" = 26.12 inches (approx. 26.25 inches / 66.7 cm).
Height: Finished Height + (2 * Seam Allowance) = 8" + 1" = 9 inches (23 cm).
Basket Bottom Panel: This will be a circle.
Diameter: Finished Diameter + (2 * Seam Allowance) = 8" + 1" = 9 inches (23 cm).
C. Cut Your Fabric Pieces:
Exterior Denim Basket Pieces:
Side Panel: Cut 1 rectangle, 26.25 inches wide x 9 inches high.
Note on Piecing: You will almost certainly need to piece together sections of your opened jean legs to get a piece this long.
How to Piece Denim: Place two denim pieces right sides together, aligning a raw edge. Stitch them together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance. Press the seam open. Topstitch on the right side with two parallel lines, 1/8" from the seam, using topstitching thread. Continue piecing until you have a panel large enough for your final cut.
Bottom Panel: Cut 1 circle, 9 inches in diameter. (Draw with a compass, string and pencil, or by tracing a 9-inch plate/bowl).
Lining Fabric Pieces (Optional):
Side Panel: Cut 1 rectangle, 26.25 inches wide x 9 inches high.
Bottom Panel: Cut 1 circle, 9 inches in diameter.
Heavyweight Fusible Interfacing:
Side Panel: Cut 1 rectangle, 25.25 inches wide x 8 inches high (1 inch smaller on all sides than your main fabric panel).
Bottom Panel: Cut 1 circle, 8 inches in diameter (1 inch smaller than your main fabric panel).
Denim Scraps for Flowers: Collect various small to medium-sized scraps from different jean washes (if available).
IV. Let's Start Sewing Your Denim Basket!
General Sewing Tips for Denim:
Always use a fresh, sharp denim needle.
Use your walking foot. This is critical for thick layers.
Go Slow! Stitch slowly, especially over thick seams. Gently hand-crank your machine over particularly bulky spots.
Wonder Clips are better than pins for thick denim.
Press, Press, Press. Essential for reducing bulk and creating crisp seams.
.jpg)
Step 1: Fuse Interfacing to Exterior Panels
Take your Exterior Denim Side Panel and Exterior Denim Bottom Panel. Lay each one wrong side up on your ironing board.
Center the corresponding Interfacing piece on each fabric panel (it's 1 inch smaller on all sides).
Following the manufacturer's instructions for your specific interfacing, fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the fabric. Press firmly and allow to cool completely. This gives your basket its rigid structure.
Step 2: Construct the Exterior Basket Body
Use a 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance.
Take your Exterior Denim Side Panel. Fold it in half, right sides together, aligning the two short 9-inch edges. Clip or pin along this seam.
Stitch this seam to form a "tube." Press the seam open to reduce bulk.
Attach the Bottom Panel:
Take your Exterior Denim Bottom Circle.
Align the bottom raw edge of your denim "tube" with the raw edge of the denim circle, right sides together.
This can be tricky! Start by matching the side seam of the tube with one point on the circle. Then, fold the circle in half and quarter to find its main points, and match these to the side seam and center points of the tube.
Clip very generously all the way around, easing the fabric to fit. Take your time to distribute the fabric evenly.
Stitch all the way around the circle using your 1/2-inch seam allowance. Go slowly, pivoting slightly as you go to follow the curve.
Trim the seam allowance around the curve to about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) and make small notches (V-shaped cuts) or snips (straight cuts) into the seam allowance (being careful not to cut the stitches). This helps the seam lay flat and smooth when turned.
Result: Your exterior denim basket is now formed. Keep it wrong side out.
Step 3: (Optional) Sew the Lining Basket Body
If you're adding a lining, follow these steps. If not, skip to Step 4.
Prepare Lining Side Panel: Take your Lining Fabric Side Panel. Fold it in half, right sides together, aligning the two short 9-inch edges. Stitch this seam to form a tube. Press the seam open.
Attach Lining Bottom Panel: Attach the Lining Fabric Bottom Circle to the lining tube using the same method as for the exterior bag (Step 2.3). Clip, stitch, and trim/snip the curve.
IMPORTANT FOR TURNING: In the bottom seam of the lining circle, leave a 3-4 inch (7.6-10.2 cm) unstitched gap. You'll need this to turn the bag right side out. Backstitch securely at the beginning and end of the stitched sections around your opening.
Result: Your lining basket is now formed. Keep it wrong side out.
Step 4: Join the Exterior Basket and the Lining Basket (The "Bag-in-a-Bag" Method)
If you're not using a lining, skip this step and go to Step 5.
Ensure your exterior denim basket is right side out.
Ensure your lining basket is wrong side out (with the turning opening in its bottom).
Carefully insert the exterior denim basket into the lining basket.
The right sides of both baskets should now be facing each other.
Align the top raw edges of the exterior fabric and the lining fabric all around the opening of the basket. Match up the side seams of both baskets.
Clip very securely all the way around this top edge.
Using your 1/2-inch (1.27 cm) seam allowance, stitch all the way around the entire top opening of the basket. Backstitch at the beginning and end.
Trim Bulk: Carefully trim the seam allowance at the top down to about 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) to reduce bulk.
Step 5: Turn Your Basket Right Side Out & Finish
If you have a lining, reach through the opening you left in the bottom seam of the lining.
Slowly and carefully pull the entire basket through this opening until it is completely right side out. Take your time, gently pushing out the bottom corners for a crisp, well-defined shape.
Close the Lining Opening: Go to your ironing board. Press the raw edges of the opening in the bottom of the lining under by 1/2 inch (1.27 cm) so they meet neatly. Align these pressed edges and clip them together. Stitch this opening closed by machine (sewing very close to the folded edge for a neat finish) or by hand using an invisible ladder stitch for a truly seamless look.
Now, push the lining down into the exterior denim basket.
Final Press & Topstitch (Optional): Carefully press the entire top edge of the basket. Make sure the lining is fully tucked inside and isn't peeking out over the top edge of the exterior fabric. For a super polished and durable finish, topstitch all around the entire top opening of the basket, about 1/8 inch (0.3 cm) from the edge. This final topstitching marries the lining to the exterior, helps the basket hold its shape, and creates a crisp, professional look.
.jpg)
V. How to Make Denim Flowers
Now for the fun, decorative part! Denim flowers add so much charm. You can make several and arrange them on your basket.
Method 1: Simple Layered Denim Flowers
Cut Petal Shapes: From your denim scraps, cut various sizes of simple petal shapes. Think teardrops, ovals, or even just rounded rectangles. Cut at least 5-7 petals per flower, varying in size (e.g., 2 large, 3 medium, 2 small). Don't worry about perfection; natural variations look great.
Rough Edges (Optional): For a distressed look, gently fray the edges of each petal by pulling a few threads from the raw edges.
Assemble:
Lay the largest petals in a circle, slightly overlapping, to form the base of your flower. Use a tiny dot of hot glue in the center to secure them together.
Layer the next size of petals on top, staggering them, and glue in place.
Continue layering until you reach the smallest petals in the center.
Center Embellishment: Hot glue a button, a few beads, or a small circle of felt or contrasting denim to the very center of the flower to cover any raw ends.
Leaves (Optional): Cut a couple of leaf shapes from green fabric (felt works well) or even a darker denim. Hot glue them to the back of the finished flower.
Method 2: Rolled Denim Roses
Cut a Strip: Cut a long strip of denim from your scraps. The width will determine the height of your rose, and the length will determine its fullness. A good starting point is 1.5-2 inches (3.8-5 cm) wide by 15-20 inches (38-51 cm) long.
Prepare Edge (Optional): For a cleaner edge, fold one long edge of the strip down by 1/4 inch (0.6 cm) and stitch it down. For a rustic look, you can leave it raw or lightly fray it.
Start Rolling:
Place a small dot of hot glue at one end of the strip. Fold a small corner over to create a starting point, and begin tightly rolling the denim strip. This will be the center of your rose.
As you continue to roll, occasionally twist the strip a bit before rolling it further, and apply small dots of hot glue to the bottom edge of the strip to secure each roll. This twisting and gluing creates the layered petal effect.
Continue rolling and gluing until your rose reaches your desired size.
Finish: When you reach the end of the strip, fold the raw end under and hot glue it securely to the base of the rose.
Leaves (Optional): Cut a couple of leaf shapes and hot glue them to the back.
VI. Decorate Your Basket!
Once your denim basket is complete and your flowers are made, it's time for the final styling!
Arrange: Lay out your denim flowers on the basket to decide on your desired arrangement. You can cluster them, space them out, or create a border.
Attach: Use your hot glue gun to securely attach the finished denim flowers to the exterior of your basket. Press firmly until the glue sets.
Add Other Details (Optional):
Stitch on additional denim patches.
Add some decorative topstitching around the rim or side seams.
Weave some colorful yarn or ribbon through the denim if you like.
Your unique, upcycled Denim Basket with Flowers is now complete! You've transformed old jeans into a charming and functional piece of home decor. Enjoy displaying your sustainable creation with pride!
What will you use your new denim basket for?
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
No comments:
Post a Comment