I got the idea for this denim feather wall decor over the summer whilst making denim tassels.
It wasn’t a great leap to work out how to make denim feathers from old jeans. The principle was the same as with the tassels. Which is basically fraying scraps of old denim. I just had a few details to work out like the feather spine and shape.
You can make either an indigo or white feather from one piece of denim scrap. The color will depend on which way you lay the template onto the scrap fabric.
Like with the tassels this was a great craft for those of us who find they have fidgety fingers when watching TV.
I made these feathers whilst getting stuck into the brilliant Netflix series Ozark. That’s probably why I ended up making loads of the feathers and hence made them into a wall hanging.
As well as making a feather wall decor you can also use individual denim feathers to make earrings, bag charms, and gift toppers.
These denim feathers featured under the letter F in the A to Z of denim upcycles.
This post contains Amazon affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to see my disclosure policy.
What You Need To Make Denim Feathers
- Denim scraps – The scrap pieces will need to be as big as you want your feathers. You will also need pieces of denim with no seams or embellishments just plain bits of jeans fabric.
- Twine – I love Nutscene twine which comes in lots of lovely different colors.
- Wooden beads 10-12mm with a 5mm hole.
- Stick and drawing pins to hang the denim feathers from.
How To Make A Denim Feather Wall Decor
1. The first thing to do is to cut out a feather shape from your scrap of denim. If you are not confident about doing this free hand you can download my feather template and use this to draw around before cutting out the feather shape.Make sure that the template lies in the same direction as the weave of the denim. Depending on which way you lie the feather template on the denim will depend on what color feather you will make. Denim tends to be made up of a weave of both blue and white threads.


2. Next cut a piece of twine that is a couple of inches longer than denim feather shape.

3. Cover the twine in fabric glue and stick it to the center of the denim feather shape. This will create a spine for the feather.
You can stitch the twine in place if you prefer that to glue. However, the glue is better as it also stiffens the twine which helps the denim feather hold its shape.

4. To make the feathers, fray the denim by pulling out the threads. Denim is frayed by removing the threads of one color.
Therefore, if you remove the white threads you will end up with blue feathers. If you remove the blue threads you will end up with white feathers.
Cut the feather shape the long way, with grain for one color and cut across the grain for the other color.

Making The Denim Feather Wall Decor
5. I used this same method to make several feathers, both white and blue in various sizes.
To make the denim feather wall decor, I first threaded the twine of both a blue feather and a white feather through the same wooden bead.


6. Finally, the pairs of repurposed denim feathers were hung from a wooden stick. They were attached to the stick with a drawing pin at the back.


I love how the denim feathers have turned out. You can make a collection of feathers in different shades of indigo by using denim scraps from different pairs of jeans.
I think these denim feathers would also look great on a cushion or simply hung in glass frames.
Denim isn’t the only fabric that you can use to make faux feathers. I have used tartan and plaid fabric to make DIY feathers. These tartan/plaid feathers look fabulous as they have color and pattern.
I’ve also made paper feathers out of old maps and made them into a gorgeous paper angel wings decor to hang above my bed.
I love to use old branches for my wall hangings and have used them with this paper Mache watercolor heart decoration.


Denim Feather Wall Hanging

These gorgeous denim feathers are so simple to make and require no sewing.
Materials
- Scraps of old jeans
- Branch or driftwood
- Twine and wooden beads
- Fabric glue
Tools
- Scissors
Instructions
- Using a template cut out a leaf shape from a scrap of denim
- Cut a length of twine and stick to the center of the leaf shape
- Starting with one side of the leaf pull the cross threads out one by one to fray the denim
- Repeat on the other side of the leaf
- Make several feathers, thread wooden beads on to the twine.
- Hang from a branch
Notes
The colour of the feather will depend on which way you cut the denim. Pulling white threads out will result in blue feathers. Pulling blue threads will result in white feathers.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
If you like this you may want to check out some of the other denim upcycles on Pillarboxblue. Such as the boho jeans pillow, upcycled denim gift tag, denim tassels, and a cool denim rug.
If you are looking for some other feather wall decor check out these beautiful free vintage illustrations of feathers.
Flowers are a fun thing also to make out of denim. I’ve made two types of denim flowers, roses and thistles from repurposed jeans. Other fun nature-themed denim crafts include this faux moth taxidermy.
I even have ideas for denim Christmas decorations

Or check out favecrafts.com for more DIY feather ideas
Pat niichel
I think I may do these for my brother and sisters from my late husbands denim shirt scraps I have made memory pillows for my kids and grandkids and making wine bottle covers too . My husband loved denim shirts!
Claire Armstrong
That sounds like a lovely idea.
Jamie
Brilliant! I love these. I can see a future of denim feathers all over my house, lol
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are an addictive craft, fun to do in front of the TV.
Christina
I swear you never cease to amaze me! These are so cool! I have GOT to try it!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are kind of addictive to make once you start.
Dawn
Love this and I have made 3 of them thank you for the inspiration
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, that’s lovely to hear. They are very relaxing to make, aren’t they.
Lisa
I love these! How adorable. I have pinned them to try later. I just made a post about DIY yarn feathers but now I HAVE to try making the denim one. Thanks for sharing.
Lisa
Claire Armstrong
Your fiber feathers look fabulous, I’ll include them in this round-up if that is OK with you.
Adele
Wow these look so effective!! What a great idea!!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are fun to make.
Kathy A
These are lovely. I have some remnants of green; I want to try making small Christmas tree ornaments! And some blue feathers….and some black ones. I often fringe material in small prints to make dollhouse tablecloths, runners, and rugs so I am an old hand at fringing. I recently used the strings I fringed for strings price tags; the ultimate upcycle!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. They all sound like wonderful ideas. I’ve made tartan feathers too which work well.
Jil
Great craft idea while we are in quarantine from the virus.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you and keep safe.
Shirley Eagle
I think people are getting confused about how to get the color they want because they don’t understand what “with the grain” means. If you look at the fabric, you can see which direction each color runs and put the stem the direction of the color you want. If you have a hard time telling, fray a few threads to see what you’ll get. That should be even easier. These are cute!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, and thanks for your explanation.
Sue
On mine , if you lay the pattern along the leg seam of the pants I got white. laying them across the pants leg I get blue
Claire Armstrong
That sounds about right. Thank you.
Desiree Phillips
I absolutely love this craft, but I am still having trouble cutting the feathers the right way to get them to fray right. I think this blog would be more helpful if you had more pictures better directions and a video to go along with the craft.
Claire Armstrong
Hi Desiree, sorry you are having trouble making the feathers. I’m not sure what to suggest, is the demin you are using very stretchy if so that can make things more difficult. You want to lay the template on the denim fabric so that it follows the direction of the weave and not across it diagonally.
Maggie Martin
Hi Claire!
I have made about 75 of these feathers (denim addict here) And the tassels too!
Fun, relaxing and hanging from drapes, sticks, curtain rods, footstool, and just everywhere.
Thank YOU for all of your great ideas!
Claire Armstrong
Aww, that’s lovely to hear. They are fun to make, I bet you are quite an expert now with all that practice.
Susan Klaws
I just love these denim feathers you created and I now have used your tutorial and am pleased with how you showed everything and am now making the feathers. I find them so attractive and thank you for this craft share. I will try to share my work sometime but have no way to take a picture right now.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, it’s lovely to hear you are making the feathers. I find it a relaxing craft to do in front of the TV.
Dane
voici le lien de mon blog j’ ai réalisé les plumes c’ est super sympa a faire je me suis bien amusée merci de ce beau tuto a bientôt biz
https://www.dane-et-le-crochet.fr/?post/1704
Claire Armstrong
Thank you!
flowerpower
Just cut a piece of denim but how do you pull those little pieces of thread out ?? Thx
Claire Armstrong
Rub the end between your fingers to loosen the threads. Then grab the thread nearest the cut edge of the fabric and just pull. It should come way. Then repeat with the next thread in line.
Sandi Gallion Hodge
Excellent Tutorial !!!
Claire Armstrong
That’s lovely to hear, thank you.
Monica
How do you determine if your feather will be white or blue? Mine keep turning out white.
Claire Armstrong
If you pull the blue threads your feathers will be white, but if you pull the white threads your feathers will be blue.
Maggie Martin
You need to turn the denim before you cut. Cut the long way, with grain for one color and cut across the grain for the other color
Claire Armstrong
Yes, that is one way of doing it. Thank you.
Margaret Valera
Absolutely brilliant!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much !
Anjela
Hi
I love your page
Very nice?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much!
Penny from BAMA
I am so excited! Thank you so very much for sharing this. I make Frayed denim coats & jackets. These will be perfect embellishments, with a little tweaking for coat application. I will use the heave seam edging that I usually save to braid for purse handles and instead sew down the center of the ‘feather’ shape cut from the pieces that I have left over from my coat constructions. A couple or three of these will look great strung with beads onto a leather strip to sew onto the finished coat. I cannot wait to go out to my studio and tweak a finished coat! LOVE IT!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you. That sounds like an awesome idea. I would love to see a picture of the coat when it’s finished either email me one or post it on the blogs facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pillarboxblue/
karen reekie
What a clever way to use old denim. So pretty! Thanks for sharing!
#goinggreen
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, denim is my favourite material to repurpose.
Abraham Kuntai
Aww,this is super gorgeous,i have some denim that i no longer use,maybe i can convert some for
wall decor.Thank you so much
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are a fun craft to make while tucked up all cozy in front of the TV on a winters night.
Nicola Says
Ah these are super creative! I wouldn’t have thought to try anything like this.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much!
Rosie (@greenrosielife)
Another gorgeous ucycling project and I love the range of ways you could use these, especially reusable present toppers. I also reckon with a few extra embellishments they’s make gorgeous Christmas tree decorations. #GoingGreen
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, yes I think they would look good hanging from a tree.
Bonnie colemanb
I loved my feathers
Made wall hanging
Thank you
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, that’s lovely to hear.
Kate
This is brilliant!!!!
Claire Armstrong
Aww, thank you so much ?
T'onna | Sew Crafty Crochet
I love these denim feathers! I adore all your denim creations! Thanks so much for sharing at the Snickerdoodle Create Bake Make Party!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you T’onna. And I love all your crochet creations I think they are so creative!
Peg
BEST denim project ever!!! Making as soon as possible! Congrats on blog win.
Claire Armstrong
Ahh, thank you so much!
Amy
How cute. I actually thought that these were real feathers (dyed of course) before I looked at your actual post. Thank you for sharing at To Grandma’s House We Go.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Amy. I’m glad they look realistic!
Pam
These are wonderful! I love them, and I’ve featured them at this week’s Thursday Favorite Things party. Thanks for sharing!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much and I’ll look out for the feature thanks.
creativejewishmom/sara
Another fantastic project Claire! Thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling Sunday!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much Sara.
Michelle Leslie
I just love your denim feathers Claire. My daughter and I made some a few years ago from her old jeans and we used the seam down the leg for the feather stalk bit (not sure what it’s really called) but your idea is so much nicer. There’s only so many feathers you can make with the seam
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Michelle. Someone else suggested using the seam I might try it with my next batch.
Chas
I love this, I’m such a fan of your work Claire! You make such amazing things. Thanks for sharing on To Grandma’s House We Go!
Claire Armstrong
Ahh, thank you Chas. That’s very kind of you to say so!
Kaz
Just gorgeous thanku ?
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much ?
Sandy
What is a drawing pin?
Claire Armstrong
A drawing pin is a thumb tack or push pin.
Anielle Bel Ange
I loved making these so much I’m using them as a hair ornament and I also made earrings. So many friends have asked me to share your instructions with them. Thank you so much for sharing ❤️
Claire Armstrong
I’m so pleased to hear you are making them and having fun. I did thing they would make lovely earrings. Thank you for sharing the tutorial with your friends.
Linda aka Crafty Gardener
I love your denim feathers and will certainly be giving your idea a try. Thanks for sharing,
Claire Armstrong
Thank you so much ?
Julie
OK Claire, this is getting ridiculous, you have to stop making these gorgeous things that I have no time to try myself right now!! I thought the tassels were cute but these are even more lovely if that’s possible!
Wouldn’t they be fun on gift wrap? Along with a pretty tag or something.
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Julie. I can’t help it “a makers got to make”. Yes I thought they would make lovely gift toppers too!
Lisa // Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing & Crafting
This is all sorts of genius! What an incredibly simple but gorgeous effect to fray the fabric that way! Fabulous, Claire! 🙂 Lisa
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, Lisa. They are very simple to make, Ive had the idea for ages but for some reason it took me a while to get around to making them. Now I’ve started I can’t stop. At this rate I’m going to have enough feathers for a Lampshade.
Cecilia
These denim feathers are fabulous! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
Claire Armstrong
Thank you, they are just a bit of whimsical fun.
Lora Bloomquist
These are so cool, Claire! Think I need to try some…just need to find a pair of jeans now…
Claire Armstrong
Thank you Lori. Any denim fabric would work.
laura mchugh
What is the best way to remove the blue or white threads most efficiently? Tweezers?
Claire Armstrong
I just pulled them out with my fingers. Sometimes I used a pin to bring a thread to the edge.