Today I want to share how to make an oven mitt from your old jeans. There are several good tutorials on the Internet showing how to create a homemade oven mitt. (Edit:) Here is a oven mitt template you can use. The original one I used is no longer available on the Internet.

Cut two denim panels using the mitt template. Then cut two from fabric for your lining and two for your mylar batting. If you don’t want to use store bought mylar batting, just cut two pieces from old towels but make sure they are thick so you get enough protection for inside of your mitt.
Click on any photos to supersize

Because denim is so hard to machine sew through several layers, I assembled my oven mitt in two pieces. First pin the two denim panels together with right sides together. Machine sew the two denim panels together using a narrow hem around the mitt. Leave the end hem unfinished at this point. Trim curves and clip at thumb turn. Turn wrong sides to the inside. Using a pencil’s eraser end, push out the thumb and edges. Press with hot iron and turn under a narrow hem along the unfinished edge of the denim mitt shell.

Next put the two fabric lining panels together with right sides together. Then add a batting layer to the bottom and top of your lining insert. Pin in place and machine stitch a narrow hem around the mitt. Leave the end hem unfinished for now. Trim edges and clip at thumb curve but don’t turn. Turn under a narrow hem and press with a hot iron along the unfinished edge of the fabric lining.

Lastly insert your fabric lining inside your denim oven mitt. Check fit and trim edges if necessary so the insert fits nicely inside your denim mitt shell. Match hem edges and pin the two edges together. Machine stitch very close to the edge to enclose the hem of the denim panel and the lining insert. Fold over the edge if desired to show off your fabric lining or add embellishments to the outside of the mitt.

Need a potholder to go along with your oven mitt? You can add a denim potholder that sports a pocket from a pair of jeans to create a cool recycled denim kitchen set.[…]

This week I have been working on a new recycled idea. A crocheted rag bag using recycled denim. I had a few old denim shirts that I didn’t want to throw away so I decided that I needed to get the ole’ creative juices flowing and use them in a project. It turned out to be a really heavy duty bag. I didn’t trim or fold the strips so that’s why you see the fibers from the material. But I think it turned out cool with the fibers kinda sticking out as they do.

So… this is the result, a recycled denim rag bag!

I used one of the pockets from the shirt to create an inside pocket as shown below.

I hope you enjoy trying this week’s recycling craft idea and as always — here’s the free pattern.

Free Crocheted Recycled Denim Rag Bag Pattern

Bag measures 11 inches wide and 10” long.

Material: Two denim shirts cut into 3/4 inch strips (See notes below on different methods.)

For complete pattern click on read more link below.

Hook: Metal “N” hook

Chain 24

Round 1
Hdc in 2nd ch from hook in each chain stitch to end, work 3 Hdc around the corner. Work Hdc in each stitch down the back side of chain, ending with 2 Hdc at end of round. Do not join rnds.

Round 2 – 15
Hdc in each st around and do not join rnds, just continue working Hdc in each stitch in rounds until you have desired length (approx. 16 rnds.)
Mark center 8 stitches on each side of bag for handle opening.

Round 16
Hdc in each stitch to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 8 stitches un-worked for handle, then Hdc in remaining stitches and across other side to mark for handle opening. Ch 9, leave 8 stitches un-worked for handle opening on other side of bag to match front side. Hdc in each stitch around until you reach side of bag. Do not join rnds.

Round 17
Hdc in each St around to handle. Work 10 Sc around the chain of handle, then Hdc around in each stitch until you reach handle on other side. Work 10 Sc around chain of handle, then Hdc around in each remaining stitches of round. Do not join rnds.

Round 18
Hdc in each St around to handle. Work one Sc in each St of handle, then Hdc in each St of purse to other side’s handle. Work one Sc in each St of handle, then work one Hdc in each St to remaining last 3 stitches at side. Sc, Sl St, and end with Sl St at end of round at side of bag. This should blend the edge so round ends with edge being even with last round.

Fasten off and weave ends under on inside of the bag.

Attach removed denim pocket to inside of bag by hand stitching down at top and side edges to secure the pocket.

Notes:[…]