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How To Make A Denim Photo Frame Out Of Old Jeans

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I came across a bag of denim belt loops, I’d saved from when I’d made my denim waistband rug. That’s when I got the idea of making a denim photo frame.

Whilst making the belt loop frame I then got an idea for a denim photo frame made out the seams of old jeans. I made a recycled jeans planter and a denim table lamp out of old jeans seams before and love how they turned out.

I will show you how to make both kinds of denim frames. I think I prefer the denim frame made with the seams, that’s why I made two of them. These frames would look great in a teen bedroom or in a den.

This is a really easy no-sew affordable craft that uses the scraps from other denim upcycles. It is also a great way to update old boring photo frames into something with a bit more character.

Denim belt loops

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What You Need To Make Denim Photo Frame

  • Denim belt loops or seams from an old pair of jeans. Don’t cut the seams from the jeans until you have read the “how to section” below, as you will be using a template to cut the denim.
  • A seam ripper – this is a handy tool for removing the denim belt loops from the waistband of a pair of jeans.
using a seam ripper to remove belt loops
what you need to make belt loop denim frames

How To Make A Belt Loop Jeans Frame

The first belt loop frame is quite simple to make. You just need to decide whether you want the belt loops to be stuck on straight or at an angle.

I decided to go with an angle. Starting in one corner of the wooden frame, measure the diagonal (along the miter line). Then cut a belt loop to that length.

Next, apply adhesive glue to both the wrong side of the belt loop and the front of the frame. Then stick the piece of denim to the frame.

Carry on sticking strips of denim at an angle to frame until you come to the middle. Next, start on the other end of the frame and stick belt loops going the other way until they meet in the middle.

Fill any gaps with strips of denim cut to size.

how to cover a frame in belt loops

Carry on sticking belt loops to the frame using this method until all four sides are covered. If you don’t have enough belt loops, just cut some denim seams up to fit.

denim photo frame with belt loops
Upcycled belt loop denim frame

I also some times use denim belt loops as handy tags, like with my DIY coffee pot cozy.

How To Make A Seam Denim Photo Frame

This denim photo frame is made in a totally different way to the one above.

1. The first thing to do with this frame is to make a paper template pattern. If the photo frame you are upcycling is square you will only need to make one paper template.

However, if the photo frame is rectangle then you will need to make 2 paper templates. One for the long side and another for the shorter side.

To make the paper template, measure the width of the wood going around the frame. Make sure you include the sides as well as the front of the frame. Then cut the paper frame at an angle to the miter angles on the front of the frame.

Making paper frame template

2. Next, using the template cut out 4 pieces of denim seams. Make sure that the seams are all in the same place, that is the middle of the front of the frame.

Cutting denim seams for photo frame

3. Next, glue the seams to the photo frame one by one. Make sure that the mitred corners meet up. I found that a fabric glue was good for this.

Gluing denim seams
upcycled denim seams frame

I really liked the look of this upcycled jeans seam denim photo frame, I made another one in lighter denim.

upcycled denim photo frame
DIY photo frame upcycle using old jeans
denim photo frame
Yield: Two types of denim photo frame

Denim Photo Frame

Denim Photo Frame

How to make fun and unique denim photo frames from your old jeans.

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost $1

Materials

  • Jeans belt loops
  • Denim seams
  • Old photo frames
  • Contact adhesive
  • Fabric glue

Tools

  • Ruler
  • Scissors

Instructions

  1. For the denim belt loop frame. Stick the loops to the frame one by one at angle starting at the corner. Cut scraps to size to fit into the gaps.
  2. For the denim seam frame, make a paper template.
  3. Cut the seams using the template
  4. Stick the seams one by one to the frame, matching the mitre corners.
© Pillarboxblue
Project Type: Upcycle / Category: Denim

If you liked the repurposed denim photo frame, then check out some of my other cool no-sew jeans DIYs for the home. Or you might like some of the other upcycled frame ideas on Pillarboxblue such as the lego Minifigure photo frame and the printed map pallet frame.

For more thrifty craft ideas visit cheapthriftyliving.com

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marie

    Such a great idea for photo frames – my daughter would love these! Claire, because of your blog, I never get rid of old jeans anymore.

    Reply

  2. Michelle Leslie

    Darn it and I just threw out a whole bunch of cut-up denims because I had no idea what to do with those seams. They’re so difficult to sew unless you have a needle made from kryptonite or something like that 😀 These are all gorgeous Claire

    Reply

  15. Vanessa

    I can’t decide which style I like better. Using scraps from old jeans gives such a nice color variation in the belt loop one, but the ones made from seams are sleeker looking.

    Reply

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