Turn Your Jean Scraps Into Stylish Accessories: DIY Denim Pouch and Fringe Earrings

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Don’t know what to do with your jean scraps from Pants Month? Give them a second life with these stylish accessory projects! Transform those leftover denim pieces into a trendy shoulder pouch and a pair of fringe earrings for the perfect DIY denim duo. Get creative and make your jeans go even further!

Denim Pouch

Upcycle a pair of old jeans with great pockets by transforming them into a cute pouch, using the existing back pocket as an exterior pouch pocket.

Supplies

Prepare

Draw a 5″x7″ rectangle on pattern or tracing paper; cut out. Designate as the pouch template and mark one short edge as the upper edge.

Repeat to create a 4″x5″ flap template. Designate one long edge as the upper edge.

Prewash and dry the jeans.

Cut along each outer seam on the jeans, beginning at the leg opening and ending at waistband.
Spread out the jeans flat with the back facing right side up on a work surface. Center the pouch template over one back pocket, aligning the template lower edge with the pocket lower edge; pin, and then cut out. Designate as the front panel.

Position the flap template over one leg, aligning the template lower edge with the hem; pin, and then cut out.

From the remaining denim fabric, cut one back panel using the pouch template, one 2″ x 20″ rectangle for the strap and two 2″ squares for the strap tabs.

From the lining fabric, cut one front and back panel using the pouch template and one 4 1/2″ x 5″ rectangle for the flap.

Construct

Use 1/4″ seam allowances unless otherwise noted.

Press one strap tab in half lengthwise with wrong sides together; unfold. Fold each tab long edge toward the foldline; press. Fold along the original foldlines; press. Topstitch each tab long edge using a scant 1/8″ seam allowance.

Repeat to construct the remaining strap tab and strap.

Insert one strap short end through one lobster-clasp ring, extending the short end 3/4″ beyond the ring. Stitch over the strap short end through all layers using a bar tack to secure.

Repeat to attach the opposite strap short end to the remaining clasp.

Position the flap lining right side up on a flat work surface. Designate one long edge as the upper edge. Position the denim flap wrong side up over the flap lining, aligning the upper and side edges, but making sure the lining lower edge extends 1/2″ beyond the denim lower edge; pin. Fold the lining raw lower edge 1/2″ toward the lining wrong side; press. Stitch each side edge.

Turn the flap right side out; press flat. Edgestitch the flap lower edge from the denim side, making sure to catch the lining lower folded edge within the stitching and using a needle thread color that matches the denim.

Position the denim front and back panels with right sides together; pin. Stitch the side and lower edges. Clip the lower corners.
Repeat to stitch the lining front and back panels, but leaving a centered 3″-long opening along one long side for turning.

Turn the denim exterior right side out; press.

Fold each strap tab in half widthwise; press. Position the denim exterior with the back panel right side up on a flat work surface. Position one strap tab over the back-panel right side, aligning one tab long edge with the panel side seamline and the tab short ends with the panel upper edge; baste.

Position the flap lining side up over the back-panel right side, aligning the flap upper edge with the panel upper edge; baste.

Insert the lining into the denim exterior with right sides together, aligning the seamlines and upper edges; pin. Stitch the pouch upper edge.

Turn the pouch right side out through the lining opening; press. Machine stitch the lining opening closed.

Push the lining into the denim exterior, favoring the denim upper edge toward the lining; press. Edgestitch the pouch upper edge using a scant 1/8″ seam allowance.

Denim Fringe Earrings

Flaunt fringed denim earrings upcycled from a pair of jeans.

Supplies

Prepare

Prewash and dry the jeans.

Draw a 1 x 1 1/2″ rectangle on pattern or tracing paper; cut out. Designate as the earring template and one short edge as the upper edge.

Position the earring template over one jeans leg, aligning the template upper edge with the hem; pin, and then cut out. Designate the hem edge as the earring upper edge.

Repeat to cut a second earring.

Construct

To fray the edge, remove the crossgrain threads beginning at the earring lower edge using a seam ripper.

Stop removing threads at the hemline stitching line.

Press the earring flat and straighten the frayed threads.

Attach one fishhook ear wire centered along each earring upper edge.

No fabric scrap left behind! Whether you’re upcycling old pieces or repurposing fabric scraps, every bit can find new life in a creative project—no matter how small! Try creating your own denim pouch and earrings today!

Written by Heather Paulsen, this article originally appeared in the Fall 2021 issue of Sew News Magazine.

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