Recycled denim bracelet tutorial

While challenging myself to see how many ways I can stretch an outgrown pair of baby overalls, I came up with this super easy no sew recycled denim bracelet tutorial. Make it using jeans in any form, shape, or size. It’s open-ended and you can decorate it however you’d like.

You can see that the edges are somewhat frayed, however they are not prone to unraveling because of the stitching. I did reinforce it with nail polish, but since it’s a heavy fabric, that doesn’t have the maximum effect. I do like the look that the frayed edges lend.

I glued cabochons and one, and then tried decorating another with fabric paints, but didn’t like how it came out. I should have tried a bleach pen.

This craft literally takes minutes to make, and costs pennies, considering you have the basic jewelry making supplies handy. I am glad I decided to be a hoarder, and not throw out those overalls! I’ve really been getting some great use out 0f it. In case you missed it, my favorite craft so far was this denim purse I made for my niece (she loves it…) 

For this craft, I decided to recycle the double stitching that runs up the back of the overalls, and in other places. Since stitching is a huge factor in the design of most jeans, you’ll likely find it on any pair you’d like to upcycle.

It looks great paired with gold bangles, or even painted gold bangles. Or, wear it alone and show it off with pride!

What you need to make recycled denim bracelets:

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• Denim to recycle
• Ribbon end crimps
• Fabric shears
• Clasps
• Jump rings – I like to use twisted ones for fun
• Pliers (chain nose and round nose work fine)
• Things to embellish it with. I used cabochons and E6000 glue on the one I liked, and fabric paint on the one I chucked. You can try other things such as sequins, buttons and thread, bleach pen, embroidery thread, or whatever you have handy.

Recycled Denim Bracelets Tutorial:

1. Find a good double seam that you can cut out.

2. Cut the seam. Be wary of the other side – where your fabrics overlap.

3. Cut it to size – about an inch shorter than you want the total bracelet length to be.

4. Plan your design! If you are gluing cabochons on with E6000 like I did, make sure to let it dry overnight before continuing on.

5. Attach the ribbon crimps to the ends of the denim strip. Squeeze it shut using pliers.

6. Do this on both ends.

7. Open and attach a jumpring to one end.

8. Attach the clasp to the other end. (Most clasps have a loop attached that can be opened. If yours is sealed shut you can use a jump ring to connect it.

9. The bracelet that I decorated with fabric paint (the one that I didn’t like) was shorter. So I attached a few jump rings to make it “adjustable”.

Wear it, or gift it, and enjoy! Make sure to follow along with my jewelry making and recycling boards on Pinterest for more cool crafts like this one!

You can also check out this amazing list of crafts for teens. If you liked this recycled denim bracelet tutorial, you’ll like those!