repurposed demin aprons

Ok!!  I’ve had these babies on my to-do list for a couple of months!   I went right at it this weekend, and got 8 of them done.  Now, each of the Hooligans will be getting one for Christmas. 

I’m gonna start by saying that I LOVE repurposing denim!  It’s soft, it’s sturdy, it doesn’t stain easily, and it washes up really well.  One of my daycare parents brings me all of her family’s jeans when they’ve outgrown or out-worn them.  They’re perfect for this kind of thing, and I also use them to make denim bibs, which are my absolute favourite bibs ever.  You can see them here.

So, these were really easy to do.  No fancy sewing skills required here (I don’t know how to do the fancy stuff).

Oh, before I start, I want to mention that I use a needle designed for sewing on denim for stuff like this.  It’s a sturdy needle, and is less likely to break when you go over seams and what-not.  If you don’t have a “denim” needle, use the largest, sturdiest needle you have, slowing down and taking care when you go over seams and thicker parts so you don’t snap it.

Ok, so I borrowed a couple of aprons, a big and a small, from one of the older Hooligans, and traced them for my templates.  Now we’re ready…  

Cutting along the in-seam, open up a leg of a pair of jeans.

Center your template on the open leg (good side up or down – it doesn’t matter), lining up the bottom of your template with the bottom of the pant-leg – this makes a nice finished hemmed bottom for you.  Pin in place and cut out your apron.   *If you have bias tape to trim your edges, super.  If you don’t, then you’re going to have to turn a little 1/4 inch hem to prevent fraying, so cut 1/4 inch larger than your template.

Hem your edges now, if you have to hem, folding denim under 1/4 inch, and stitching all the way around, OR trim your side and top edges with bias tape.

I had a couple of old scarves that were destined for the charity bin, but I decided to use the fleece to make hearts for the aprons.  Then, I discovered this awesome stretchy bias tape all around the edges of the scarf, so I ripped that off both scarves and it was enough to edge 5 aprons!! 

Now rip one of the back pockets off your jeans and center it on your apron.  Stitch in place.

At this point, I also stitched a fleece heart the upper part of the apron.  You could use flannel or felt – whatever you have in your scraps.  I used a zig-zag for this

.Now it’s time for the straps.  You’ll want to measure your child with a piece of string or something so you know how long to make your straps.

Your straps are going to come from the in-seams and the outer side seam of your jeans.  See the picture right above?  See the seam on the left and the seam in the center of the pic?  They’re nice and thick, and easy to snip out.  Just cut right along side the seam all the way up the leg, and then trim it to the right size.  You won’t be turning under any unfinished edges of these seams.  Just leave ‘em as is.  You’ll want a strap for the neck and one for the waist.

Attach some velcro and sew those straps in place.  You’re done!!

Wasn’t that easy?  And how TOTALLY sweet are they?

I can’t wait to give these to the Hooligans.  They’ll get to take them home with their Xmas gifts, but I’m asking that they bring them back after the break.  These are going to stay here, so we don’t have to worry so much about getting messy when we’re…..getting messy!

For another super way to repurpose your old jeans, have a look at our re-purposed denim bibs.  They make a great gift for a new baby!