First steps first. I drew my couch and took detailed measurements.  I have made mistakes with fabric lengths in the past, so I wanted to make sure I measured correctly.  It became more obvious that I would need a lot of fabric to cover this couch.

It has been an uphill battle as I want to use entirely re-used material to cover the whole couch.  After two visits to my local creative reuse store and no luck I was beginning to wonder if I would ever find enough material to cover this beast.

Last week I was going through some of my boxes of fabric and ran into piles upon piles of denim jeans my mother-in-law sent me months ago.

It hit me!  This was the fabric for the sitting cushions!  I will make denim pillowcases.  And so it began.  I learned quickly (for like the third time) that quilting TAKES FOREVER!  But, it was worth it.

So here’s a quick guide on what I did to make a pillowcase for one of my large couch cushions.

1. Cut all of the legs from your pants and start creating different sized “swatches” for your couch cushion quilt.

2.  Start sewing the swatches together until you reach 2 inches more than the length of your couch cushion.  After you sew one swatch to the other (right side to right side) turn it over and iron the edges down flat.  Sew the edges down permanently.

3.  Continue this process until you have enough material to cover your pillow.  I only went half way with the denim and decided to put a solid color on the bottom of the pillowcase.  I used an old brown table cloth for the bottom half.  I also made the top of the pillowcase about 6 inches longer than the bottom so that I could use buttons to close the pillowcase.

4.  In order to make the top of the pillowcase look nice when it is button closed you will need to crease the top and the sides and sew them to create a nice crease.

5.  Sew the sides of your pillowcase together (right side to right side) and then fold your case inside out.

6.  Sew button holes into the top of your pillowcase.  (I have a fancy buttonhole making machine part to my sewing machine.  I love it!)

7.  Put your couch cushion into its new home!  Fold the top of your pillowcase over so that it reaches the bottom of the pillowcase.  Sew buttons to the spot the button holes meet the bottom of the pillowcase.

Now, see how it looks!

What an improvement!

Ok, so I have one couch cushion cover down and four more to go!

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Here’s How to Reuse Materials to Make a Don’t Forget Door Hanger:

1.  Find a sturdy material to act as your backing.  I used denim from the leg portion of an old pair of jeans.

2.  Next, choose some fabric to wrap that sturdy material in.

3.  Fold and iron all four edges of your fabric (about 1/2 inch or so).  Wrap your sturdy fabric with your wrapping fabric and sew it closed.

4.  Attach your two pockets to your fabric.

5.  Pick out a handle.  I thought this super cute pink tie went well, so I used it!  Sew the handle to your backing.

6.  Hang it on a door and fill it with important stuff!  Never forget anything again (well, at least your keys, wallet and cell phone).

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How to Reuse Jeans to Make a Purse:

1.  Cut the legs away from the top of the jeans about two inches down from the back pockets.

2.  Flip the jeans inside out and sew the bottom seam.

3.  Make your handles for your purse.  I chose to use silk ties for this one.  I want one side to show and the other to be hidden.  So, I have to sew the hidden side to the bag before I sew the lining.

4.  Create your lining.  You will want your lining to be the same size and shape as your outside purse.  First, fold and sew the top edge of your lining so you have a nice crease at the top (this will show at the top of your purse)  Sew the sides and bottom of your purse.  Leave the lining with the wrong side out.  This is how you will place it into your purse.

5.  Attach the lining.

6.  Sew the other side of your handle.

And there you go!  I love turning an old pair of jeans into a brand new purse.  You have automatic pockets and denim is one of the sturdiest materials to reuse for a purse, so it will last you a while.  Have fun!

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