15 Free Patterns for Denim

Use one of these free patterns for denim to recycle your old jeans and use them for something new. You won't believe what you can make out of old denim that you would otherwise give away or throw away. There are quilts, baskets, bins, purses, wall art, organizers, and many more projects that will help you to recycle those jeans instead of tossing them.

Some of these patterns will use a single pair of jeans while others use a dozen or more. It's a great way to give new life to old jeans and you'll be finding yourself raiding your own closet and even your spouse's and kids' closets. If you need more denim than what you have, consider stopping by garage sales or thrift stores. Look for large pairs of jeans with wide legs so you can get as much denim fabric as you can.

01 of 15

How to Sew a Denim Quilt

It's Always Autumn

Create an ombre effect by cutting up old light, medium, and dark wash jeans to create this beautiful modern quilt. Strips of denim are then sewn together to form the top of the quilt. It's then backed in flannel and simple straight-line quilting design is added as the final touch.

How to Sew a Denim Quilt from It's Always Autumn
02 of 15

Recycled Denim Basket

Oh Oh Deco

This free pattern for denim creates a recycled denim basket that you can use to store just about anything. This is a great project if you only have small strips of denim because all the strips are sewn together to form a long ribbon of denim before the weaving begins. A bucket or other container is used as your form to create the basket.

Recycled Denim Basket from Oh Oh Deco
03 of 15

How to Sew a Denim Rug

A Beautiful Mess

This gorgeous rug is made completely out of denim cut into hexagons. The hexagons are sewn together in a random pattern, highlighting the different colors of denim that are being used. The rug is then backed with grip tape so it will stay where it needs to be.

How to Sew a Denim Rug from A Beautiful Mess
04 of 15

Jean Purse

Simple Practical Beautiful

You'll need just one pair of jeans to create this adorable denim purse. An old belt is used to create the closure and strap for the purse. There are lots of ways that you can customize this project by using stencils and fabric paint to add any design you'd like.

Jean Purse from Simple Practical Beautiful

Continue to 5 of 15 below.
05 of 15

Colorful Denim Reupholstered Chair

DIY Candy

Here's a more unique way to use up some old denim. This DIY project uses a pair of colored denim to reupholster a chair. It's a quick and easy project and you'll be delighted by the end result.

Colorful Denim Reupholstered Chair from DIY Candy
06 of 15

Denim Canvas Wall Art

A Beautiful Mess

Easily create a masterpiece using denim as your background with this free project. A white paint marker is used to spell out words or create a drawing. The denim is then stretched like a canvas. It's then ready to hang!

Denim Canvas Wall Art from A Beautiful Mess
07 of 15

Hand Sewn Recycled Denim Bins

DIY Candy

With a single pair of jeans and a little bit of hand sewing, you can create these unique denim bins. It's a quick and easy project and you'll find that you can make a ton of them in a short period of time.

Hand Swen Recycled Denim Bins from DIY Candy
08 of 15

Fold Over Denim Clutch

So Sew Easy

You can never have too many bags and this project will give you one more for your collection. This clutch uses recycled denim as well as old shirts to create a one-of-a-kind bag that would look great with your next casual outfit.

Fold Over Denim Clutch from So Sew Easy

Continue to 9 of 15 below.
09 of 15

Rug from Old Denim

Oh Oh Deco

A handful of old jeans are used to create this unique denim rug. Long pieces of denim are sewn together in a circle to create a round rug that's perfect for a kids room, playroom, or any other place in your home.

Rug from Old Denim from Oh Oh Deco
10 of 15

Denim Triangle Quilt

Modern Handcraft

If you have a large number of old jeans that you're looking to repurpose, consider making this quilt. Triangles are cut from the jeans and then sewn together to form the top of the quilt. Different colors of denim are randomly placed to give it a fun modern vibe.

Denim Triangle Quilt from Modern Handcraft
11 of 15

Kids' Denim Purse with Drawstring Closure

Make It & Love It

It doesn't get much cuter than this pattern for denim. Perfect for a child, the bottom of this purse is made from the leg of a pair of old jeans, and the strap is made from a waistband. The lining of the purse is made from quilting cotton with a drawstring closure so all those treasures stay where they're mean to be.

Kids' Denim Purse with Drawstring Closure from Make It & Love It
12 of 15

Recycled Denim Bracelet

Moms and Crafters

You'll just need a little bit of denim for this DIY project. You'll be using a double seam on an old pair of jeans and cut to size a piece of denim that will fit around your wrist to create a bracelet. Then some basic jewelry making techniques are used so you can add a closure and beads to your bracelet. You could customize these in endless ways using different beads and charms.

Recycled Denim Bracelet from Moms and Crafters

Continue to 13 of 15 below.
13 of 15

Upcycled Denim Pocket Organizer

Pillar Box Blue

Recycle what you have to create something new with this free denim project. This unique project uses both the pockets and the waistbands of jeans to create a wall pocket organizer that's perfect for a kids' room. It's a great place to stash away small toys and keep everything nice and tidy.

Upcycled Denim Pocket Organizer from Pillar Box Blue
14 of 15

Kids' Pants to Overalls

Delia Creates

This free pattern for denim takes a child's outgrown jeans and creates overalls out of them. It sounds trickier than it is, but the tutorial takes you through each step of cutting up the jeans then reassembling them. The outcome is an adorable pair of overalls that any kid would love.

Kids' Pants to Overalls from Delia Creates
15 of 15

Reverse Indigo Shibori on Denim

Fall for DIY

With some bleach, you can transform those used jeans into artwork using shibori and tie-dye techniques. It's a great way to try your hand at textile dying and you'll have a unique piece of art that you can display in your home or use for another project.

Reverse Indigo Shibori on Denim from Fall for DIY

15 Free Patterns for Denim

More from The Spruce Crafts