I never like to throw away old clothes. Even if they're ratty and torn, I always feel like there's some way I can repurpose my old T-shirts and pants.
Usually, I like to convince myself that keeping oversized T-shirts and dirty pants is good for those times I need to do odd jobs around the house, like painting or adding some grout to bathroom tiles.
Unfortunately, what this actually means is that the clothes just sit around in my drawer for ages until the one time a year I need them.
The better thing to do with these old clothes? Repurpose them!
Like this old button-down shirt that was turned into a machine-washable mop pad, clothes can be transformed into a range of creative things.
The project I'm currently obsessing over is making coasters out of pockets from old jeans.
Everyone needs a good set of coasters. Not only are these thrifty and DIY-friendly, they're also super trendy and cute!
What You'll Need
To do this project, you'll need a pair or two of old jeans/denim shorts, some sharp scissors, an empty milk jug, and adhesive or iron-on Velcro.
You'll also need a marker or pen for tracing/planning.
Step #1: Cut Out Jeans Pocket
The first thing you need to do once you have your supplies is to lay out the jeans on a flat surface.
With your scissors, cut around the outside of the pocket, leaving the seams intact. You should end up with a pocket that is two layers thick (aka still has its "pocket" properties).
Step #2: Wash And Dry Pocket
Next up, wash and dry your pocket.
If your jeans are already clean, you can skip this step.
This part is useful not only for cleaning your pockets, but also for giving the coasters a slightly frayed, worn-in look.
Step #3: Trace Pocket Onto Milk Jug
Next, use your marker or pen to trace the pocket onto your milk jug.
Notice that you'll need a plastic (not paper) milk jug in order for this to work.
Step #4: Cut Milk Jug
Once you've traced your pocket, cut around the marker tracing with your scissors.
You'll probably want to cut slightly inside the tracing so that the plastic fits into the pocket.
Step #5: Slide Plastic Into Pocket
After you've cut the plastic down to size, slide it into the pocket.
If the plastic doesn't quite fit, feel free to trim it down until it slides easily into the denim pocket.
The plastic will make sure that any spills or condensation don't seep through the jeans onto the table.
Step #6: Use Velcro To Close Pocket
Next, attach your Velcro to the top of the pocket.
It's important to use adhesive fabric instead of just sewing it shut, since it will give you the option of machine-washing the coaster later.
Step #7: Repeat To Make A Set
Congrats, you've completed your first coaster!
Now, decide how many coasters you want in your set and repeat the previous steps to finish making your other coasters.
Step #8: Use And Enjoy!
Finally, set your coasters out on the table and enjoy!
If you're excited to make these, please SHARE this article with your friends and family!
