Denim is such a versatile cloth piece, we all own at least a few pairs. In my case, it’s my daily mom uniform.
After a time they always get used and start to have holes…but there s still plenty of good fabric to rescue.
Would you rather throw away your old denim or reuse them? For a while, I stacked my family’s old denim in a corner of my closet, but I had to find a solution to recycle them.
So I came up with the idea of using denim strips to weave a basket. It’s quite easy to make even if the weaving process takes some time.
If you have more denim to recycle, you can also try to make a DIY rug with old denim
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DIY recycled denim basket
Material you will need to make your basket:
- old denims
- Fabric scissors
- A sewing machine
- a container to use as a model for your basket (I used a bucket, the same kind as in the DIY make a stool with bucket).
Cut strips of denim +/- 1″ wide and sew them end to end to make a long “ribbon”. This ribbon is what you will use to weave your basket.
You also need strips to make the base of your basket. The number of strips to make the base depend on your basket size, the bigger your basket is the more strips you will need.
My basket is quite big and I used 20 stripes. Place a few strips next to each other, tie them in the center with a strip and spread them on a flat surface to make a ” * ” shape.
Take your denim ribbon and tie with a knot with one end in the center of the base and start to weave.
You pass the ribbon around the strips. Once above, once below, once above, once below….
You weave until you have the size that you desire for the base of your basket.
You must occasionally pull the strips to adjust weaving. Place your weaved base on your container model (bucket, bowl …).
And you can continue to weave the sides of your basket.
Depending on the size, you may have to add strips of fabric on the side to have a weaving tight enough so the side of your basket is rigid enough to stand on itself.
Once you have completed weaving, you have to finish the edge of the basket. You attach the strips of fabric together by tying knots.
Your basket is almost done. You’ve got to cut the extra stips and fold them inside the basket. You can either sew or glue them.
Voila, not too bad for used denim! If you wonder, I used two pairs of denim to make this basket.
Upcycling old clothing is a great way to get creative. I hope you will enjoy making this upcycled jeans basket.
I would love to see what you make so don’t hesitate to share it in the comment!
If you like this craft, you will love this DIY recycled felt basket too.
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Want to remember it? Save this DIY denim basket in your favorite Pinterest board.
You will find all the tutorials featured in the video on my “Best DIY” page.
Amaryllis
Luanne
Thursday 30th of June 2022
This is a very useful container and you make it look easy to do. I plan on using a plastic garden pot as a guide.
Kim Pendry
Tuesday 11th of January 2022
Not quite enough detail. Would love to make it but I have too many questions. I assume this is your blog?
amaryllis
Thursday 10th of March 2022
Hello Kim, I surely need to make a video for this DIY. It´s on my endless to do list. Meanwhile I can answer your questions ;)
fiona
Thursday 4th of July 2019
hi can you please explain the finishing off Im just not getting how to tie of the ends and what to do with the loose pieces Much appreciate it
amaryllis
Thursday 4th of July 2019
Hello Fiona, sure. You grab one end and you make a knot with the one next to it, and so on until you tied the all basket edge. Once you are done knotting, your weaving is secure and won't fall apart but the ends doesn't look very nice. You can cut them a little but be sure to keep a lenght of 1 inch (2.5 cm) so you can fold each end into the basket and slide it inside the weaving. You can add a dot of fabric glue if you want, I didn't and it hold perfectly.
Alison
Tuesday 24th of April 2018
I am confused, when i put the knot with all the bits for the starburst bit it looks like a giant octopus, this looks nothing like your pics in the tutorial
amaryllis
Tuesday 24th of April 2018
If you attach the 8 straps in the center you kind of have a 16 arms octopus....Then with one other long strap you start weaving the "octopus arms" one time above, one time below, starting from the center knot. I hope it makes sense for you ;)
Mellisa
Tuesday 5th of December 2017
I love this!! It took me three tries but I finally made my own. My only thing is it doesn't keep its shape. Once I take it off the bucket, it goes flat. Did I do something wrong??
amaryllis
Tuesday 5th of December 2017
Hello Mellisa, maybe you didn't you haven't made the weaving tight enough ... it's maybe why the basket sag! I hope you will not have to start it again ;)