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Home ยป DIY & Tutorials ยป Craft Tutorials ยป Upcycled Denim Flower Tutorial

Upcycled Denim Flower Tutorial

May 25, 2010 by Kara Cook 44 Comments

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Denim Flower Tutorial – a perfect way to use up those old jeans. Such a fun and easy craft project!
upcycled-denim-flower-tutorial
I noticed on my Google analytics that lots of people stumble across my blog looking for “denim flower tutorial“. I figured if that many people are interested in it, I should probably come up with one.

So here goes, my very first denim flower tutorial. I have a few others in the works, but this one is really easy, so I started with it first. Have fun!

Shabby Denim Flower Tutorial

Supplies:
-pair of old jeans
-flower pattern (I just drew one, it doesn’t need to be perfect.)
–fabric scissors
–heavy duty needle 
–thread
–button or other embellishment


Instructions:

Start with an old pair of levis. Any pair will do.
denim flower-tutorial

Cut out your flower patterns. I just drew one, then kept tracing around it to make it larger.
denim flower-tutorial

Now use a sharp pair of scissors to start cutting out your flowers. They do NOT need to be perfect. I don’t even pin my pattern to the fabric, I just lay it on, then hold it with one hand and cut with the other.
denim flower-tutorial

Repeat with the remaining pattern pieces.
I think it looks best to do two of the largest size, then just one of each of the other sizes. You can experiment and see what you prefer.
Now you have a whole bunch of flowers in various sizes.
denim flower-tutorial

Stack them on top of each other, starting with the largest on the bottom.
denim flower-tutorial

Now you need to sew them together. It is pretty tough to get through all those layers of denim, so make sure you use a heavy needle. Start from the back and come up through the middle.
denim flower-tutorialdenim flower-tutorial

Push the needle back down. To make it easier, I got the needle started, then put the eye on the table and pushed down. Repeat a few times till you’ve got a few stitches securing all the layers.
denim flower-tutorial

Next up you need to pick an embellishment for the center.
You can go casual and pick a brown button:
denim flower-tutorial

Or you could go girly and add a little pink crochet flower:
denim flower-tutorial
Use your imagination, there are tons of fun embellishments! I decided to use this pretty vintage-y button this time. I just kept stitching it on till I felt like it was secure. Isn’t it pretty?
denim flower-tutorial

To get a more shabby look, you need to rough it up a bit. It helps to spray it lightly with water first. See those little droplets on the table? That’s how much I sprayed. You don’t need to soak it, just get it damp.
denim flower-tutorial

Now squish it all together into a ball and hold it that way for a few seconds so it holds its shape.
denim flower-tutorial

When you are all finished, it will look like this:

If you want it even more shabby, just pull on the edges with your fingers and the denim will fray.

That’s it! Now you can add a hair clip or pin to the back and you’re all set to go! Enjoy your new beautiful flower, I bet you’ll get lots of compliments!

Step by step instructions for making a beautiful denim flower from an old pair of jeans. A perfect upcycling craft project.

Love making accessories? Here are a few more fun and easy projects:

Washer Necklace Tutorial
Dollar Store Denim Rosette Headband
Fabric Flower Rings
Stacked Felt Flower Hair Clip

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Filed Under: Craft Tutorials, DIY & Tutorials Tagged With: fabric, hair clip, trash to treasure

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bonita

    February 1, 2021 at 10:09 am

    So I’m totally inspired. I’m way behind the date you shared this beautiful bloom but this is something that will never be outdated. From my granddaughter to my grandmother, it will be a blessing! Thanks again ๐Ÿ’–

    Reply
    • Kara Cook

      February 6, 2021 at 12:02 pm

      Aw, thanks so much Bonita! I’m so happy that you are making them for your family members. Handmade gifts are always a treasure!

      Reply
  2. Paro

    March 9, 2018 at 10:32 am

    I love love love this flower. Would you mind if I use this idea on my blog and give you credits?

    Reply
    • Kara Cook

      March 14, 2018 at 5:21 pm

      I’m happy to have you share one photo with a link back to my website. So glad you love it!

      Reply
  3. Pattie capers

    July 31, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    I was looking for a few things to help decorate my small reception for country wedding . And use it for a corsage for my special guest.will post after wedding

    Reply
    • Kara Cook

      August 7, 2017 at 4:21 pm

      I bet it was gorgeous as a corsage!!

      Reply
  4. Kathy

    July 10, 2017 at 8:08 am

    I really have to stop showing up so late at the fair. A couple of seconds ago, I realized that this is a post from 2010!!!! But it definitely is still timely and adorable, so it went into my Pinterest locker right away.

    Reply
  5. Rae Harper Burnet

    June 15, 2017 at 11:43 am

    Great tutorial! No more sending those old Wranglers to the second hand store!

    Reply
  6. Leslie

    December 27, 2013 at 1:17 am

    hi kara !!! thankyou so much for tutorials i love, love love them ! keep them coming… and HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU AND YOURS !!!

    Reply
    • Kara

      December 27, 2013 at 7:59 am

      Thanks so much Leslie! I’ve got a few tutorials in the works right now. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  7. www.armas.es

    November 19, 2013 at 6:23 am

    I really like what you guys are up too.
    This type of clever work and coverage! Keep up the fantastic works guys I’ve added you guys to my
    blogroll.

    Reply
  8. Anonymous

    November 1, 2012 at 4:10 pm

    hi great job

    Reply
  9. Debbi T.

    April 8, 2012 at 8:54 pm

    Such a cute idea! I have a white pair of jeans that got stained with something pinkish, (Just in a few spots) and I am going to try making these flowers in the white denium and maybe tinting them around the edges!!! Thanks for your help in getting my creative juices flowing!!

    Reply
  10. Debbie

    March 16, 2012 at 6:30 am

    These are adorable, thank you for sharing this tutorial. I am doing my first craft show this Fall and I am trying to make most of my items from recycled materials. This will be a great addition. By the way, I found your blog through pinterest.

    Reply
  11. Gail

    September 22, 2011 at 4:19 pm

    I’ve been going crazy making your cute flowers…lots of ’em! I am a cancer patient who wears hats on a daily basis and your flowers do the trick in extending my hat wardrobe!
    I sew a small brooch pin (or a small safety pin depending on the thickness and size of the flower) and just pin them on! It make them so much more bright and cheery, and the same cap or crocheted beanie has infinite different looks! Love, love your designs, thanks so much!

    Reply
  12. BecSTAR

    September 22, 2010 at 5:16 pm

    This is such an amazing tutorial and it has sparked my imagination and creativity. I can’t thank you enough for helping me!! My friend is going to love what I’m going to make her, thanks to your help.

    Reply
  13. Dot Lawson

    September 2, 2010 at 12:35 am

    I would love to get various flower patterns via email..I have very little imagination when it comes to drawing anything. Please help!

    Reply
  14. Alison

    July 14, 2010 at 6:44 am

    I canโ€™t tell you how much I adore this! Thank you for the fabulous tutorial!! I featured this tutorial today on my blog with a roundup of flower tutorials. Here is the link:

    oopsey-daisy.blogspot.com/2010/07/wednesdays-wowzers-3-dozen-plus-four.html

    Thank you so much for inspiring me. Have a wonderful day!

    ~Alison

    Reply
  15. Carina

    June 22, 2010 at 7:37 pm

    Hello, thanks for visit and comment on my blog, your blog is very good, I always visit now. have a nice day and a great weekend. bjs.

    Reply
  16. Amber

    June 21, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    I am Sooo excited to teach these at our family reunion as a craft project! It would really be helpful to have the flower patterns….would it be an option to trace them on a paper and scan them in- save them as a document or a picture and then email me them? I donโ€™t know how to do PDF’s but this might work as an alternative?? Thanks!! ahomer55@msn.com

    Reply
  17. Country Girl in the City

    June 9, 2010 at 8:59 am

    Hi, I wanted to let you know that I made your denim flowers and posted about them on my blog. Thanks for the great idea!

    Reply
  18. Bridgette

    May 31, 2010 at 8:37 am

    SUPER CUTE! Thanks for linking up to Anything related! ~Bridgette

    Reply
  19. Country Girl in the City

    May 28, 2010 at 7:43 am

    I love the denim flower and I am going to work on making one today. I have a pair of jeans lying around that are just begging to be turned into denim flowers!! I’m interested in the PDF thing too…..

    Thanks!!

    Reply
  20. The Working Home Keeper

    May 27, 2010 at 8:36 am

    Love it! I’ll have to try this with my kids old jeans that have holes in the knees!

    Mary Ellen

    Reply
    • Kara

      May 27, 2010 at 9:39 am

      That’s exactly what I did! ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply
  21. KJ

    May 27, 2010 at 5:11 am

    This looks great. Thanks for posting it. I can imagine it in all sorts of coloured denim too!

    Reply
  22. Jax@Aly&Ash

    May 26, 2010 at 11:19 am

    Super cute! Saw it at Someday Crafts!

    Reply
    • Kara

      May 26, 2010 at 11:57 am

      Glad you like it. Thanks for visiting!

      Reply
  23. Lindsay

    May 26, 2010 at 7:12 am

    These are cute! My husband wants me to patch a few pair of his jeans, but now I don’t wanna!!! Maybe one will be “too far gone”!

    Reply
  24. somedaycrafts

    May 26, 2010 at 5:22 am

    Cute! Cute! Cute! I have a stack of holy levis and I will have to make something like this!!!!

    Reply
  25. Amanda

    May 26, 2010 at 5:01 am

    Very cute! I recently made a bunch of different denim flowers, though in a different style. Love how yours came out ๐Ÿ™‚

    Reply
  26. Le Chateau des Fleurs

    May 26, 2010 at 1:33 am

    Super cute!
    XOXO
    frenchy

    Reply
  27. Misty

    May 25, 2010 at 10:37 pm

    Cute, cute flower!! If you find out how to do the downloadable PDF thing, please share!! I’ve been wondering how to do that too!

    Thanks for linking @Creative Itch’s “Sew Cute Tuesday”!

    Reply
    • Kara

      May 26, 2010 at 8:05 am

      Thanks! And if I ever figure out the PDF thing, I will share the instructions. ๐Ÿ™‚
      Kara

      Reply
  28. Katie@Impatientlyprayingforpatience

    May 25, 2010 at 8:42 pm

    Wait…you cook too!! So…when can you move in?

    Reply
  29. June Bug

    May 25, 2010 at 4:27 pm

    So cute!! If I show this to my little crafty 9-yr-old, she’ll want to live at your house forever. I’ll just keep you a secret!

    Reply
  30. Olivia

    May 25, 2010 at 1:54 pm

    So cute! That’s a great idea!

    Reply
  31. Maria

    May 25, 2010 at 9:55 am

    LOVE the new look. Congrats!

    Reply
    • Kara

      May 25, 2010 at 9:57 am

      Thanks Maria!

      Reply
  32. Debbie

    May 25, 2010 at 9:23 am

    I love this and making it out of denim is a great idea!!

    Reply
    • Kara

      May 25, 2010 at 9:28 am

      Thanks Debbie! I’ve done it with different fabrics, and that’s cute too. ๐Ÿ™‚

      Reply

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Hi. Iโ€™m Kara, and I've loved cooking since I was about 10. Great food brings people together and can create some amazing memories. I hope you will use my family friendly recipes to make memories with your loved ones!
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