My husband was going through his clothes and doing some much needed clearing out of much loved but VERY over worn T-shirts and paint spattered, bleach spotted jeans.   Why is it they just can’t seem to part with the stuff that looks the worst?  🙂

As I was separating things into the give and pitch piles, I saw that the top part of the jeans were in perfectly good condition so I cut them off thinking he could wear them as cut offs…um, NOT! He didn’t think that was a good idea at all!

Light bulb moment! I have ribbon! In about an hour, I turned those old paint and bleach spattered jeans into a super cute apron that I think is gift worthy.

 Here’s all you need:

• May Arts Ribbon – 2 + yards for the ruffle/ 2 yards for the ties
• Old jeans
• Sewing machine/thread
• Scissors, rotary cutter or pinking shears
• Fray Check or a flame to seal the grosgrain ties

Instructions:

1. Cut the jeans into a curved shape above the crotch line.

2. Serge or zig zag stitch the raw edges of the jeans to prevent fraying. You could also use pinking shears if you have them.

3. Gather your ribbon. I used May Arts 450 2.5” Wired Check Ribbon! I just pulled out the bottom edge wire completely, and then pulled the top wire to create my gathers. Super easy!

4. After you’ve gathered the ribbon to suit your taste, pin it to the edge of the jeans and top stitch, being careful not to stitch over the wire. Pull out the wire after the entire ruffle is stitched.

5. Sew the ribbon ties to the waist line of the jeans by folding the ribbon over the raw edge and onto itself. I used a zipper foot to sew as close as possible to the belt loop. Trim and seal the ends of the grosgrain with Fray Check or a lighter.

That’s it! Easy peasy, super simple and cute as can be and all you had to add was the ribbon! I love that it has pockets and I didn’t have to do a thing! Why not tuck a cute pot holder, some wooden spoons and a recipe or two into the pockets for an adorable shower, birthday or Christmas gift?

While I was at it, I found an old pair of my jeans (which are much smaller) and turned this project into a Mommy & daughter gift idea. I’m actually gifting this set to a Grandmother and her granddaughters. They’ve already planned special baking days at Nana’s house.

Thanks for joining us on the May Arts blog! I hope we’ve inspired you to recycle and reuse.

You can find a PDF downloadable file here.

 By Charlene Driggs

Other Supplies Used:

• Old Jeans
• Sewing machine/thread
• Scissors rotary cutter
• Fray check or a lighter