Use Old Jeans To Create Budget-Friendly Coasters With A Clever DIY

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Jeans don't last forever. Eventually, they'll end up looking a little worse for the wear, start sporting holes, or rip apart in certain spots, even if you avoid this common laundry mistake leaching the life out of your jeans. When that happens, you don't have to trash them and add to the 11.3 million tons of textiles already rotting away in landfills (via the EPA). Instead, try out a few clever ways to upcycle your old clothes into unique home decor. In this instance, you can turn your old pair of jeans into pretty coasters.

You just need to cut out their seams and roll them up tightly to mimic a spiral. Through this DIY, you won't just minimize the amount of waste your household generates, you'll also get budget-friendly coasters for your home. They can be practically free if you can spare a few pairs of denim jeans with double-stitched seams. Jeans with flat sides won't work since the seam won't be able to hold its weight and flop over when you place a coffee mug, wine glass, or chilled bottle on it. 

If you don't have one such pair, go thrifting. Brownie points if you find one with double stitches over the pocket, belt area, bottom hem, or back. Additionally, check whether you have a strong glue on hand for your home's upkeep. A multipurpose adhesive, like E6000 Craft Adhesive, will work great. Avoid hot glue since it won't form a permanent bond between scraps of fabric. Plus, it might melt if you put hot items on your coaster, unraveling all your hard work (pun intended!).

Grab a sharp pair of scissors, turn one of your denim pant legs over to its side, and start cutting the double-stitched seam out. Don't rush the process and maintain a steady hand, or you might accidentally nick the seam. It's okay if you cut some extra fabric on either side; you can always trim it off later. Once you're done with one leg, get started on the other since you'll need at least two long strips for one medium-sized coaster. In case you want it to be bigger, see if you can get a few extra strips from the bottom hem or rear pockets. You can always conduct a dry run to determine how big or small you want your coaster to be.

Once you have the desired number of strips, arrange them in ascending order and grab the smallest of the lot first. This is because they might otherwise not fit perfectly around larger coils and lead to unsightly joins. Dab a little E6000 along one of its ends. Then, start rolling it tightly. Don't cover the entire strip in glue in one go, or it'll dry up by the time you coil it up. Go slow and steady, and keep on adding new strips as soon as you're done rolling the previous one. 

Continue this process until your coaster is as big as you want it to be. Take care to flatten out the middle coils every once in a while, or you may end up with a conical coaster and loose strips. When you're satisfied, insert a ball pin near the end so the spirals don't lose their shape while the glue cures and hardens (give it at least 24 hours).

If you're cutting up a few pairs of jeans or have bought denim by the pound, try using different-colored strips for a single coaster. This will give it a unique look and a bit of rugged charm. As such, use black, blue, and pink (or some other bold shade) for a unique finish or roll around deep and light blue jean strips to create contrast. 

Alternatively, you can add a few decorative beads, buttons, or charms to the outside spiral. To find unique pieces, drop by your local thrift store if possible. Follow the same style for all your coasters for a unified look or differentiate between them to give each a distinct look. Another idea is to draw funky designs on them using glitter glue, such as with this Amazon Basics Liquid set. Or, give your coasters a lace border to make them look elegant.

Whichever way you go, don't forget to coat your coasters in a waterproof gel, like Odif's Odicoat Waterproof Glue Gel. This simple step will protect your crafted coasters from developing ugly stains over the course of time. If you apply two or more coats, they'll become more waterproof, and you won't have to worry about them unraveling anytime soon. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.