• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Pillar Box Blue

  • Home
  • Denim
  • Maps
  • Valentines
  • Crafts
    • Sweaters
    • Marimekko Crafts and DIY’s
    • Seasonal
  • DIY/Upcycling
    • All Upcycling
    • Ikea Hacks
    • Tin Cans
    • Round Ups
  • Christmas
  • About Me
    • What Is Upcycling What You Need To Know
    • Press & Working With Me
    • Link Ups
    • Privacy Policy
    • DISCLOSURE
    • Contact Me
You are here: Home / Crafts / How To Make An Upcycled Denim Gift Tag

How To Make An Upcycled Denim Gift Tag

16th December 2015 by Claire Armstrong 29 Comments

  • Share
  • Tweet

Every year I like to make my own Christmas gift tags, especially for my crafty pals who appreciate them.

In fact, my friend Wendy has kept all the tags I’ve made her over the years and hangs them on the tree.

Homemade gift tags

If you have been following my blog you will know that I have a thing about repurposing my old jeans, and have even compiled a comprehensive list of an A to Z of denim crafts.

Homemade Monogram Denim gift tag

I even have a collection of denim crafts for Christmas. These monogram denim gift tags would be great for this holiday or to use with birthday gifts.

The monogrammed letter on the denim makes them a gift in themselves and the personalized tags could be used as a bookmark afterward.

I made one of these personalized gift tags for my son, and he has attached it to his school bag as an identifier. They would also make great keyrings.
 

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

What you need to make Denim gift tags

  • Scraps of denim from old jeans, shirts, etc. I find that the softer more worn pieces of denim are good for this project.
  • Scissors, pins, needle, and thread
  • Existing tag or luggage label to use as a template
  • White fabric paint
  • Letter stencil
  • Eyelet tool and eyelets
  • Ribbon

How to Make a Monogrammed Denim Gift Tag

1.. First, using an old luggage label as a template, cut 2 pieces of denim for each tag allowing for a 5mm seam. I used denim in 2 different shades for each tag, one light, and one dark.

tag template on denim
two pieces of denim

2. Next, iron the 5mm seams down. If you snip the corners, you will find this easier. Then, pin the two pieces of denim wrong sides together.

Top tip: If you don’t want to sew the denim pieces together, you could glue them wrong sides together and this stage. (But they won’t look as good as the stitched denim tags).

pinned pieces

3. Next, sew the two tag sides together using a sewing machine. It’s possible to do this by hand, but it is much quicker and easier on a machine.

If you use a thread in a contrasting color you can add something more to the tags. As my tags were for Christmas, I used a red thread for a more festive look.

Stitched denim tag

4. Next, to complete the tag look, use your eyelet tool to punch a hole in the tapered end of the tag. Then, place an eyelet rivet in your tag.

punching hole in denim

5. Finally to personalize your gift tag, paint the recipient’s initials onto the tag. I find that white acrylic paint and a stencil works well, like with my denim storage boxes.

All you need now is a bit of ribbon and your unique denim gift tag is finished. For a festive Christmas look, I used a red velvet ribbon on my tags.

To change them into a keyring just add a keychain in the hole instead of a ribbon.

Stenciling denim
Monogram Denim Gift Tags
Monogram Denim Gift Tag
Upcycled denim gift tags
Upcycled Monogrammed Denim Tag

 
 
You might want to check out my DIY postage stamp tags and my denim pocket organizer.

Another great use for denim scraps is to make denim feathers which would also make fabulous gift toppers.
 
 
For more upcycled holiday gift ideas visit allfreeholidays.
 
 

Upcycled Denim Gift tag- Made from old jeans they are a gift in themselves can be used as a bookmark or keychain.

Filed Under: christmas, Crafts, Denim Tagged With: christmas tag, denim gift tag, denim tag, diy christmas gift tag, diy tag, gift tag, homemade tag, jeans gift tag, jeans tag, monogramed denim, monogrammed gift tag, monogrammed tag, upcycled denim, upcycled jeans

Previous Post: « How To Make A Colourful Felted Acorn Wreath
Next Post: DIY Used Postage Stamp Christmas Tags »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pam @Threading My Way

    30th January 2016 at 2:54 am

    What a cool idea, Claire. They could also be used as bag tags. I really must investigate adding rivets. It’s been years since I’ve done that.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      30th January 2016 at 9:03 am

      Thanks ! Yes they would make great bag tags and rivets are really easy and great for so many projects.

      Reply
      • Pam @Threading My Way

        30th January 2016 at 12:16 pm

        I’ve featured your blog and gift tags today, Claire.

        Reply
        • Claire Armstrong

          30th January 2016 at 1:12 pm

          Thank you very much I look forward to seeing it.

          Reply
  2. creativejewishmom/sara

    9th January 2016 at 6:21 pm

    love love love! And the fact that Wendy has kept all your tags, really wonderful. thanks so much for sharing on craft schooling sunday, great to reconnect!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      9th January 2016 at 6:55 pm

      Thank you ! Glad that craft schooling is back.

      Reply
  3. Whispering Eagle

    23rd December 2015 at 11:51 pm

    What a terrific idea! These are really adorable!
    Whispering Eagle

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      24th December 2015 at 12:11 am

      Thank you very much !

      Reply
  4. T'onna | USS Crafty

    23rd December 2015 at 8:58 am

    I love this idea! I’m also always looking for new ideas for recycling old jeans. I’ve used them to make Christmas stockings, and I’ve made a denim throw pillow. I plan to make more pillows using old jeans soon. Thanks for sharing at the Submarine Sunday Link Party!!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      23rd December 2015 at 10:57 am

      Thank you ! Old jeans are fun to work with and I think they look great when upcycled.

      Reply
  5. Anne

    20th December 2015 at 11:26 pm

    I love this idea! I’ve got a Craft Gossip post scheduled for tomorrow morning that features your tutorial: http://sewing.craftgossip.com/?p=85927 –Anne

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      21st December 2015 at 7:10 am

      Thank you very much I look forward to seeing and the rest of the craftgossip features !

      Reply
  6. Diana

    19th December 2015 at 4:08 pm

    Hi Claire–thanks for dropping by my blog–so nice to meet you. I love both tags and denim, too! I have a die cut machine so I can glue denim to cardboard and then cut tags on the machine, though I’ve made them by hand as well 🙂 Love the idea of stamping an initial. I made a denim bunting stamped “spring” this past spring that I loved. (I had a denim crush going for a while myself!) Merry Christmas! (PS We have a vintage-style blog party (Vintage Charm) starting Thursdays at 8 am. Would love to see some of your projects there–

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th December 2015 at 6:42 pm

      Thank you ! I loved your stencilled denim stool. I also made some denim Unionjack bunting for the queens jubilee in 2012 !

      Reply
  7. Vicky @ ShabbyShe

    19th December 2015 at 12:28 pm

    Oh wow I love this, and your postage stamp tags! I’ve run out of time to do this sort of thing this year but will definitely think of it for birthdays!

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      19th December 2015 at 1:25 pm

      Thank you ! Yes both tags can be adapted and made as Birthday tags or for other occasions. Cheers and Merry Christmas.

      Reply
  8. Rebecca

    18th December 2015 at 5:16 pm

    Very cute jeans tag, and I love all of the tags you’ve made for your friend. How creative and thoughtful! You’re friends must feel very loved.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th December 2015 at 5:45 pm

      Thank you ! That’s my favourite part of Christmas; it’s one big excuse for a lot of crafting. I love to make my own tags and the challenge of thinking up new ones each year.

      Reply
  9. Julie

    18th December 2015 at 1:11 pm

    That’s a really cute idea. I have a bag full of old jeans as I thought one day I might make a denim quilt (that is looking less likely as the years pass!) I love that your friends keeps them, I have a friend who keeps the Christmas cards I make for her and puts them up again every year! It’s nice to make things for special friends who really appreciate them.

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      18th December 2015 at 1:14 pm

      Thank you ! I made a denim quilt a couple of years ago and love it, it sits on our bed. You should make a denim quilt it is well worth it. Merry Christmas !

      Reply
  10. Terry

    17th December 2015 at 11:21 pm

    O K A Y ! You have reached me JUST IN TIME for Christmas! Thank you so much for sharing this great idea at Making Broken Beautiful this week, I will most certainly be using this idea on my own family’s presents! I have been looking for something simple that’s easy to do with a large impact and I do believe i’ve now found it! Have a very Merry Christmas!
    Smiles!
    Terry

    Reply
    • Claire Armstrong

      17th December 2015 at 11:47 pm

      Thank you so much ! They do make a lovely keepsake tag that can be reused as a bookmark or bag tag.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 15 Best Gift Wrapping and Tag Ideas to Try this Holiday Season! – Life As Parent says:
    24th November 2020 at 7:36 pm

    […] Check it here. […]

    Reply
  2. 12 Handmade gift tags to make this Christmas - the-gingerbread-house.co.uk says:
    22nd November 2019 at 10:34 pm

    […] Upcylced Denim Gift Tags by Pillar Box Blue […]

    Reply
  3. 31 Homemade Cards and Tags No Gift Should Be Without – DIY Crafted says:
    13th February 2018 at 12:58 am

    […] pillarboxblue […]

    Reply
  4. Colourful Felt Monogram Gift Tags - Pillar Box Blue says:
    13th December 2016 at 7:11 pm

    […] present which she keeps and hangs up on her Christmas tree.   Last year I made Wendy a upcycled monogram denim gift tag, this year I carried on with the monogram theme but this time in felt.       […]

    Reply
  5. Denim Christmas Decorations - Favourite 5 - Pillar Box Blue says:
    16th November 2016 at 1:35 pm

    […] know I said 5, but I’ve snuck in an extra one. My monogrammed denim gift tags. You may argue that they are a gift tag and not strictly a decoration. However I will be hanging my […]

    Reply
  6. Tutorial: Recycled denim monogrammed gift tags – Sewing says:
    21st December 2015 at 2:44 pm

    […] Homemade Gift Tags, by Pillar Box Blue […]

    Reply
  7. DIY Postage Stamp Tags - Pillar Box Blue says:
    17th December 2015 at 9:38 pm

    […] load of tags for my gifts. I normally always make my own Christmas tags, my last post showed you my denim tags. These postage stamp tags are really easy to make and can be personalised to the recipient. They […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Follow Me

Subscribe to newsletter

Search This Website

Denim feather wall decor

How To Make Denim Feather Wall Decor

Tiled square Boho Moroccan planters

Make Beautiful Moroccan Planters In Under 10 Minutes

9 unique blue jean rug DIY's

How To Make A Blue Jean Rug, 12 Unique Ways

Free printable maps

Wonderful Free Printable Vintage Maps To Download

DIY No Sew Denim Rug

How To Make A Cool Denim Rug Without Sewing

Copyright © 2021 Pillar Box Blue on the Foodie Pro Theme