Easy Bunting from Denim Pockets
If you've read DIY beautify for any time, you'll know that I love bunting. Whether you call them bunting or banners or swags, I've made them from doilies, dictionary pages, burlap, even drop cloth.
So when I saw the denim pocket banner from Pen N' Paper Flowers, I was inspired to make my own, modifying the method slightly.
Crafting with denim is nothing new for me...I've used pockets on scrapbook pages to hold a journaling note, I've created a purse for Little DIY from an old pair of jeans, I even once made a toddler-size halter top from a leg of my jeans.
I save jeans that my peeps have outgrown because you just never know when I might need a pair to cut up! And why buy fabric when it's already available?
This bunting comes together so quickly and I think it's so cute for summer. I changed the method of hanging my pockets from the original, and I didn't add any fabric strip bows, but may do so down the line. This is one of those buntings that can be easily modified for almost any occasion.
To start, you'll need several pairs of jeans. I already had a stash of toddler-size jeans but you can pick some up on the cheap at Goodwill. Make sure you like the pockets on the back and that they all 'go' together (for instance, all my jeans are well worn and faded to different degrees; a brand new, dark denim would feel 'off' in this grouping). I ended up not using the pockets with the pink stitching because I didn't want any pink in this craft.
Using a sharp pair of scissors, cut around the pockets, separating them from the jeans. Note: they will still be pockets, so you can tuck little treasures inside them like shells, handmade pinwheels, yellow daisies or whatever you can think of.
I ended up using 4 pairs of jeans, so I got 8 usable pockets.
To create the bunting and hang the pockets, simple jute or cotton yarn will do, or you can even use ribbon. I cut a length of jute long enough to allow a little on either end for hanging.
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These mini clothespins* ended up being a great size for this craft. I simply clipped the pockets onto the jute with the clothespins, making sure to space the pockets evenly. It looks like a little clothesline of pockets! And that's it, about 15 minutes start to finish!
I think you'll agree that the effect, while simple, is utterly charming! I love the contrast of the blue denim against my whitewashed shutters.
A piece of white eyelet trim was gathered to create a little flower with a gingham center using this technique, Glued to a wooden stick and inserted it into one of the pockets, it looks so cute and utterly summer-y!
To hang the bunting easily, invisibly and in a way that's easy to remove when I'm ready for a change, I used this method with mini clear 3M hooks*.
Do you craft with denim? What's your favorite thing that you've made?
bringing beauty to the ordinary,
Sharing with: Yesterday on Tuesday, Tatertots and Jello, Designer Trapped, M&MJ, The Pin Junkie, French Country Cottage, Design Dining and Diapers,
So Cute! I love how you can still use the pockets to hold something fun!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Kim!
DeleteI love this idea - it would be really sweet in a little girl's room, or even a teen's. I cut the pockets off old jeans and use them to hold the silverware at my western theme parties (eat out of tin pie plates, drink out of tin cups (or Mason jars) and use bandanas for napkins.)
ReplyDeleteThank you Barb, and I am loving your ideas for repurposing denim pockets!
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