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.

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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.

• Old photo frames to upcycle
• Gorilla glue contact adhesive clear (for the belt loop denim frames)
• Fabric glue (for the seams denim frame)
• Paper, pen, scissors and ruler

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

You can also use shoebox lids to make an upcycled photo frame.

These denim photo frames are featured on the alphabet of repurposed jeans crafts. They are one of the many denim upcycles you can make from just one pair of old jeans.

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.

• Denim hanging mason jar vase
• Woven Denim Pillow

For more thrifty craft ideas visit cheapthriftyliving.com