Turn Old Jeans into a Wrapping Paper Holder

This project uses an old pair of jeans to make a wall-pocket style holder for wrapping paper. 

Finished Wrapping Paper Holder

Free + Quick & Dirty

If you have the stuff on hand it's totally free! Besides the jeans all I needed was thread and about two feet of ribbon. I skipped the normal ironing and pinning that are usually required for a professional looking outcome. This casual approach works fine because the worn denim is already going to look pretty casual.

Cut em off at the legs

Lay the jeans flat with both legs together and cut straight across the leg. Then remove the ankle hem. 

Cut the legs off the pants

Cut the hem off the legs

Hem the Thigh Ends

Turn the legs inside out, and fold the thigh side into about a 1.5 inch hem and stitch. I used my index finger joint to match the hem depth as I went around. Note: the thigh inseam did need a little fold to keep the hem straight (because the inseam is curved the fabric is a tiny bit longer there).

Hem the Thigh Side

Sew Them Shut

Lay the leg flat with the side seams almost matched up. You don't lay the seams right on top of each other so that you can avoid sewing through too many layers at once. Really any way is fine; just try to do both legs the same way. 

Sew the ankle side shut

Turn Right Side Out & Pin

Turn the legs inside-out; they should each look like a long pocket. Line up the top edges and lay one pocket slightly on top of the other with an overlap of about 1.5” and pin. I used my index finger as a reference again. Do the same at the bottom, then the middle, then add a couple more pins if needed.

The leg is now a pocket

Pin the two pockets together

Sew Pockets Together

Stitch down edge of the top pocket, sewing the pockets together. Flip over and stitch along that side too so that the overlap is stitched down with two rows of stitching.

Sew the pockets together

Add Loops

Make a loop of ribbon wide enough to go around 3 fingers plus a little extra for hem allowance. Cut three other pieces to match. Lay the project down and smooth flat and pin low on the fold if desired. Place the ribbon loop on the back side of fabric, just next to the crease and pin. Repeat with the other side.

Cut this much ribbon

Position the Ribbon on the back side

 

Stitch the top part of the ribbon along the top hem, then turn 90 degrees and stitch more until you almost reach the raw edge, turn again repeat to the edge of the ribbon, then turn once more to complete the box of stitching. For extra strength you could also stitch an “X” shape across the box, but I didn’t bother.

Trim all the loose threads and admire your project. Mine is in the garage hanging on "S" hooks, I would probably use those 3M command hooks for a closet.  (I made two sets of holders, they are sharing the same “S” hook in my picture.)

Finished Holder

Not bad for totally free and made during nap time!