Needlework Your Jeans Contest! || Recycling 101: From Old Jeans to Summer Top

Here we are again for another round of the #Needleworkmonday contest, in which we're invited to needlework our old jeans into something new and useful. Upon learning about this contest, I am thinking of making something new, something I haven't made yet. Before, I made a bag out from old jeans of mine which I was able to share in the hive (the #cleanplanet community to be specific where we are challenged to recycle old or trash materials into something useful). And now that a contest like this had shown again, I decided to make a summer outfit, a crop top from old jeans decorated with, of course, crochet.🥰

I choose to make a summer crop top since Philippines is now experiencing the early heat of summer and I'm hoping to wear it on our upcoming beach trip.

Anyway, I am not that too good at sewing a crop top, but I have to try. So I grabbed the oldest jeans I had and gather the materials for my project.

Materials:

• old jeans
• tape measure
• scissor
• crochet yarn
• crochet hook
• needle/pins
• seam reaper

I began by cutting the lower section of the jeans and detaching the sewed thread on both edges with the seam reaper. Using the tape measure, I took my own measurements and attached the two pieces of denim cloth.

I made 2 darts under the bust area and another 2 at the back for nice fitting.

I also used two 13-inch pieces of string from the pants to form the crop top's strap. Also, take a longer string and cut it into smaller sections to construct a button-like hole (on both sides) where we can later place a tie.
I also cut two pieces of 13 inches string from the jeans to make the strap of the crop top. And a longer string, cut it into a smaller portions of strings to make some button like hole (both sides) so we can insert a tie later.

As I have mentioned earlier that I will decorate it with crochet, I picked the old rose color of yarn (now my favorite color 😅), and made a nice and flowy edging.

I also embellish the upper top and strap area with some shell stitch.

And put the word LOVE out of chains by sewing it on the front of the top. Why Love? I don't know either, it just popped out on my mind.😅

At the back of this crop top, I made a crochet string to make a crisscross for easy adjustment.

_{This is how it looks like at the back of the top.}

_{And this is how it looks like at the front of our crop top.}

I forgot to track down the time but I just made this whole day, as I was teaching my 2 kids with their modules (lessons printed on papers). One in the morning, and the other in the afternoon.

But even with the on and off situation with this project, I am pleased that it has resulted in a lovely crop top. 🥰

I am also making a hat from the jeans I had recycled to pair my summer crop top, and as of this moment, as I am writing this article, I am still doing it but I guess I won't make it on time, so just expect a continuation of this recycling idea out from the old jeans. So stay tuned.🥰

And I would also like to congratulate all the participants of this contest and hope everybody enjoyed making their entry as I have enjoyed it very much.

Job well done and cheers to the founder, admin and community builders of #Needleworkmonday community. Thanks for this opportunity and God bless everyone.