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.
Beautiful Job, Claire! This would be a fun project to do with the kids over summer break 🙂
Thank you. Have fun making them.
How fun are these, Claire?! I'm all about Mod Podge anything and will give this a shot. Thanks for sharing at Tuesday Turn About!
Thank you, they are really simple to make.
Omgoodness these are so stinky cute!!! I love to repurpose jeans, but your idea of using the seams is so clever!! And the green and blue are striking together!
Thank you Cindy, I love crafting with seams.
Thanks for sharing your fun denim upcycles at Vintage Charm!
Thank you ?
I love this project! It came out beautiful and the texture is just perfect! I love the look of denim for decorating
Thank you Maria, I think it’s the textures that make this.
Love the cans and your pin heads!
Ahh, thank you!
U can make pretty pictures using old blue jeans. Cut material the size of a picture frame your using put into frame. Add flowers or bling on top. There you have it simple. Enjoy. Make a necklace. Cut thing strip of bluejean material enough to tie in back, add something like metal pieces u see on bracelets, whatever is your favorite items like crosses, flowers.animals.etc connect to necklace. Enjoy. Make a dog leash. Keychain.eye patch,purse, apron, oven mitt cover an old laundry basket make it New again , make a name poster for your kids rooms. There are so many uses. Thanks for getting me thinking. Creative juices flowing. Enjoy.
There are so many things you can make with an old pair of jeans that is why I upcycle all mine.
Great idea . I've seen whole jeans made into planters also. Cement the bottom half of jeans so they stand up, plant a plant or Bush on top.Adult jeans. Or make smaller planter kid size for summer.
Thank you, Donna. I’ve seen those cemented denim planters but they weren’t for me.
So happy to have just found your site. So many great ideas and projects. Really love the cute heart shape straight pins.
Thank you so much, it's always nice to have someone new visit.
I love these! After crafting projects, I always have that stuff left over and now I can use it for yet another project! 🙂
Thank you Jamie.
These are really cute and I reckon even I could make them!!
Thank you for adding this post to the #GoingGreen Linky and huge apologies for taking so long to reply: a combination of being so busy over the summer that I hardly touched the blog and an Internet that took to crashing when I did have time! The next linky opens on Sept 4th so I hope you will join in again ?
Thanks, Rosie. I will be visiting the linky when it opens again.