3.23.2009

fresh from the Makery: recycled denim coffee cozy

You can have a lot of crafty fun with an old pair of jeans. Recycled denim is a material that finds its way into some really crafty crafts, like these pocket purses, and some more, shall we say, contemporary projects, like this week's coffee cozy.


As usual, this week's project evolved from wanting to do something entirely different, my search initially focused around ribbon (which is what led me to the pocket purses and similar projects, which suggested using ribbon for the strap). When I saw that the purses were made from the back pockets of old jeans, I remembered that Neal recently discovered a hole in the knee area of one of his pairs. Lucky for me he had yet to throw them out.

I settled on the coffee cozy after doing more searching because, well, I like coffee. And tea. I especially like getting hot beverages while I'm out and about and making a reusable cozy goes nicely with the green theme developing throughout this ongoing project. The cozy is hand-sewn (although, if I'm going to keep settling on projects that involve fabric and sewing I should really dust off the sewing machine and try to remember how to use it), with a cotton flannel lining and a snap closure.


The lining actually comes from a barely used (and, rest assured, recently laundered) baby receiving blanket that I decided to re-purpose for this project. I thought the blue stars would go nicely with the denim and we have tons of these things that I'm still not totally sure how to use. Unfortunately, as the fabric is pretty thin, should this cozy find its home around your cup of joe, I wouldn't go opening and closing the snaps any more often than is absolutely necessary. The closed cozy, however, slides on and off a medium cup of Peet's coffee (my fave), as shown, very easily.


Need a reusable coffee cozy made from recycled denim? Leave me a comment to that effect (i.e. "Yes please," or, "I want this, thanks", etc.) on this post for a chance to win the random drawing at the end of the week.

Mmm, coffee...

6 comments:

Auntie Kay said...

Becky what a great idea - you are so creative. Absolutely I would love to be in the random drawing!!!! You know how much we love our coffee and tea!!! Auntie Karen

Becky G. said...

Aw, thanks! Consider yourself entered! Maybe the timing, after our weekend of coffee drinking and tea buying, isn't just coincidence :)

java diva said...

You are TOO cool!! What an awesome idea!! I've been nagging myself to knit a cozy, but my knitting is something to be perfected still. I just never thought of denim. I keep shaking my head! What will you think of next??! Oh, I hope you make alot of these and sell them in etsy! I think they are brilliant!
I have been collecting my kids' holey jeans for a quilt and possibly kitchen rug. Sewing...another hobby waiting to be perfected. HA!

Jolina said...

I am amazed myself at how creative you are!! What will you come up with next. I would definitely love it, but since I was pulled out of the hat last, I will refrain this week. This is a NO! but love it comment. You should surely consider making more and selling them on Etsy. Love you guys. J

Becky G. said...

Hey, thanks for the nice comments! I can't take credit for the idea - you can find lots of different examples of coffee cozies made from old jeans and other clever materials (I even saw one on Etsy made from laser-cut felt - how cool is that? Doubles as a bracelet!). But I enjoyed making this. Karen, it looks like this is headed your way unless Java Diva's comment is for the giveaway as well! Java Diva, email me to confirm, otherwise I'll file your comment in the "nifty, but no thanks" drawer :)

~Kim said...

I found your blog by the fiskateers. I really love the creativy for the recycled jeans. What a wonderful idea.