How To Make A Gorgeous Recycled Jean Planter
Ok, I admit it. I tend to get a bit obsessed with things, and one of my pet obsessions is recycling and upcycling jeans. I never throw out old jeans; I have a stack of them in my loft ready to be cut, pinned, glued or stitched into something new, like with this recycled jean planter.
It's not just denim; I also have a thing for recycling, upcycling, and tin cans too! I also have a stack of them hidden in the shed, ready to be repurposed.
Fun Upcycled Denim Tin Can Planters
Guess what? I managed to marry the two with this gorgeous recycled jean planter. To make this planter unique and to show off the different shades of indigo in denim, I used just the seams and hems of jeans for this upcycle.
When cutting up old jeans no bits of denim are safe. I ensure every part is utilized, and I especially love it when I use the seams and waistbands of jeans. These are the most exciting bits that add character to any upcycle (along with the pockets).
Don't you think succulents and denim look fantastic together? I do! So I've used this recycled jean planter for my succulents. I love their rustic look.
You can make denim fake snake plants for your jean planters if you want to go further.
These planters are featured under the letter P in the A to Z of denim crafts.
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What you need to make a recycled Jean planter
- The seams, hems, and waistbands from a few pairs of old jeans
- Tin cans, big or small
- Mod Podge
- Pins
- Scissors
- Succulents for planting
How to make a recycled jean planter
Step 1: The first thing to do is cut the hems and seams of the jeans to the circumference of the tin can.
Step 2: Apply Mod Podge to both the inside of the denim strip and the outside of the tin can. Then wrap the jean seam around the tin can and hold it in place with a pin.
Step 3: Repeat this process until the whole can is covered in denim strips. As you add each strip, make sure that the hems all join at the same place on the tin can.
Step 4: Once the Mod Podge has dried, remove the pins. To tidy up the bit of the back of the jean planter where the seams meet, glue on another denim strip. Again using Mod Podge and pins to hold it in place as it drys.
All you need to do now is to plant your succulents. As succulents don't need much water, you can plant them straight into the cans. However, if you put plants into the recycled jean planter that needs more watering, I suggest using an inner planter with drainage holes. You can use something simple like a yoghurt pot, as I used with these Chinese DIY flower pots.
Y course, leave them as they are and use them as pen pots or utensil holders.
Make Planters Out Of Old Jeans
Gorgeous upcycled planters for your home from tin cans and old jeans.
Materials
- Seams and hems from old jeans
- Tin cans
- Glue
Tools
- Scissors
- Pins
Instructions
- Measure the circumference of the tin can
- Cut denim seams and hems to this size
- Glue the seams and hems one by one around the tin can until the whole can is covered.
- Use pins to hold the seams in place as the glue dries
- Cover where the seams join with another seam glued over the top
Notes
These jeans tin can planters can also be used as caddies.
I only used the seams and hems of denim jeans in this project. If you want to see how I recycle the jeans pockets, you should check out my Denim Pocket Organiser. And if you are looking for a way to use up all your little scrap pieces of denim, check out my No-Sew Denim Patchwork Suitcase, or my Denim Patchwork Chair.
Other recycled jean seams projects
- Unique Table Lamp With A Denim Lampshade
- Denim DIY Christmas Trees
- Denim Wreath With Felt Roses
- Denim Upcycled Fabric Placemats
You can repurpose jeans in your home decor in so many other ways. Don't forget to check out my denim page. You can also find lots more tin can upcycle ideas here.
I simply adore these denim plant cans! The succulents look great in there. I love that you used the hems and seems of the jeans to make these. Why throw that away when it can be repurposed. Save the planet! Did you plant the succulents in a special soil, and did you use a "filler" in the bottoms of the cans?
Thank you, Barbara. I just put a layer of pebbles in the bottom of the planters for drainage. As they are for indoor plants it's a lot easier to manage the watering of the plants.
I love this idea! The look of those jean hems put all together like that is fantastic and you're right that they look great with succulents! Pinning and sharing! 🙂 Lisa
Thank you so much, Lisa. It was great to find another use for the hems.
You always come up with the niftiest crafts and DIY's!
Thank you, Vanessa. That's very kind of you to say so!
These are super cute!!! I've been saving blue jeans for several years now and just started making projects with them. You'll have to come over and visit my blog, French Ethereal, and check out my denim Welcome Banner I made in either late winter or early spring, I think. It turned out cute. Your blue jean planters are really, really cute! Happily pinned to several of my boards.
Thanks for more great ideas,
Barb 🙂
Love how you used denim pockets and appliqués the letters on to them. Thank you,
Such good ideas and these would make great Christmas gifts. Thank you for sharing with us this week at Celebrate Your Story, and I hope your week is going great.
Thank you so much. They would look great in a teen room.
What a creative way to use those cans and denim scraps and they look awesome with succulents in them! Thanks for sharing them at Talk of the Town!
Thanks for saying so Angie.
That is so cool! I'm going to have save and share this. ~Hugs, Linda on Poinsettia Drive
poinsettiadr.com
Thank you, Linda and cheers for sharing.
I love your denim projects, and this one is so so cool Claire!
Thank you so much, Katrin.
What a cool project! I'm always holding on to cans (much to my husband's annoyance!) so that I'm ready whenever I come across a fun upcycled can project. Usually I end up getting rid of the seam sections of jeans when I'm upcylcing them, so this is a great idea for me to keep in mind!
Thank you, Natasha. My husband gets a bit fed up with my tin can and denim stash too, I have to hide them.
Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #WonderfulWednesday this week. Visit me on Tuesday evening and to see your feature and pick up your badge! All hosts choose their own features so be sure to return to my blog. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon.
That's awesome I look forward to seeing it.