The Jeanius Challenge

After the success of the Take on Jumper Challenge, I'm doing it all again!  I'd love you to link up your 'jeanius' upcycled projects using old pairs of denim jeans. You can link an old post or one you've written for this challenge, just so long as it's your own work.

Any blog post linked here will go into a draw to win a copy of the amazing 99 ways to cut, sew & deck out your denim.

And, because they're pretty, I'm also throwing in a set of these cute heart dressmaking pins.

                                                    

So to get you in the mood, let me show you what I've done.  I had a pair of jeans which in a rare moment of domesticity, I managed to get bleach splashed on.  They weren't a particularly great fit anyway (if they'd been my favourites I might have sewn a patch over it), so instead, I decided to re-vamp them into something else.

I've been wanting to make more bunting anyway, so I chopped up the legs and made my pennants.

The accidental bleach gave me an idea for the decorative part.  I fancied Union Jack bunting, but I'm a bit tired of the in-your-face red, white & blue after last year's royal wedding.  I suspect the Jubilee and Olympics will have a similar effect this year.

So I made some sponge shapes and bleached the cross pattern onto the fabric.

Practice run - but see how it matches my nails

Extra clever (I thought), I did some with hearts too, and spaced them so from one side you get alternating blanks and flags

and on the other, alternating hearts.  Two for the price of one!!  I'm really taken with this idea.  I think the denim lends itself well to either feminine designs, or more boyish skull & crossbones/rockets/cowboy motifs.

I've got about 3 and a half meters of this, I think it will go up in the garden in the summer.

After chopping up the legs, I was left with the rest.  It wasn't an ideal size, but I whizzed up a quick bag, using a charity shop scarf for the handle and to tie in a bow through the belt loops - looks pretty and keeps it closed.

Neat huh?  It's even got handy pockets on the back!

Does my bum look big in this?

Did you spot the cute flower on the front?  With the scraps I made 2 dahlias.  I've seen them made with felt so I thought I'd have a go with denim.  Love how they've come out, and yet another way to use up some nice buttons.

One I've put a pin on to wear as a brooch

I wasn't wearing this jumper at the time - in case you're thinking I'm particularly flat chested

and the other is adaptable.  Currently it has a hair slide on it and Ruby's rocking it in her barnet!

I had a few little scraps left - mainly the hems, so I came up with this gift wrapping upcycle

All that from one ruined pair of jeans!  So come on, you must have a knackered old pair hanging around the back of your wardrobe, or a pair you can't get into anymore!  Will you get your scissors out an join me?

Blog about your make and link up here by 5pm on Sunday 1st April and I'll pick a winner.  I'm not even going to suggest I'll choose the best, if the last challenge is anything to go by it will be impossible.  It will be a random draw and you can enter as many posts as you like.  Please just make sure you include a link back here to this post.

Sorry, but open to UK only.  I've purchased the prize and I can't run to overseas shipping as well I'm afraid.