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How To Make A Denim Cup Cozy

November 10, 2017

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Make a DIY denim cup cozy out of an old pair of skinny jeans with this quick and easy pattern. 

It's a creative and inexpensive fashion accessory or gift for your favorite coffee lover.

DIY Cup Cozy Gift Idea on table

Oh the weather outside is frightful...well, ok, maybe not quite frightful yet, but it has become quite chilly in the past few days.

Looks like our extended summer has finally come to an end and fall is here to stay.

That's ok, fall leads to Christmas and I love that time of year.

It's one of my favorite seasons to craft.

I get to whip up home decor accessories, ornaments and every now and then, gifts.

You see, I love making things, and I truly do believe that there's nothing quite like a handmade present, but I'm not the most confident homemade gift giver. 

Wrapping them up is easy, creating, not so much.

I'm not a perfectionist when it comes to my DIYs, and that's fine, because I keep them all.

I embrace the...um...charm. However, if I were going to give something away, I wouldn't want it to be anything less than perfect.

Double standard, I know.

Well, this year, I decided to give it a go and use up some of the old skinny jeans my kids have recently discarded.

Apparently skinny jeans are out, which is fine with me, I get to upcycle the denim into other fashion and home decor accessories.

Since one pair had already been cut up for a denim ring, I decided to use the rest of it to make some accessories.

We also used a pair of wide leg jeans to make a vintage boho style tote bag.

Apparently denim is all the rage.

Although, isn't it always?

Jean Cup Cozy Pattern 


Upcycling Old Jeans

The chilly weather has us craving all sorts of hot beverages, so I decided to create my own DIY drink koozie.

It was super simple to make and functional.

I tested it out while sipping my hot water...

Step 1: Cut Your Jeans


I started by cutting off the bottom of one of the legs on a pair of skinny jeans.

They worked well, because they were narrow at the ankle and had some stretch. That helped it grip the cup.

Stretching Denim Over Cup

Step 2: Fit The Jeans To The Cup


Jeans get wider as you go up the leg, so I needed to taper the cozy just a bit for a snug cup fit.

I did that the exact same way I would alter a dress on a model...just like I did during my theater costuming days.

I dressed my cup and located the parts that did not fit properly.

Making denim pant leg fit on cup

Then I folded the excess fabric over...

Moving denim fabric into place for pins

...and pinned it in place.

Pinning jeans around cup

Step 3: Sew It Up


I was going to use the machine to sew it up, but sometimes that's more trouble than it's worth, so I used a whip stitch by hand.

If you don't sew, you could use fusible web tape (like I used on my kitchen chair) or fabric glue.

Whip stitch sewing jeans into place on cup

Step 4: Finish The Edge


Rather than hem the bottom, I decided to fray it instead.

I used this same technique when I shortened my daughter's jeans.

I folded the fabric over and ran the scissors over the edge several times, until I had a look I liked.

Fraying denim fabric with scissors

Step 5: Embellish


Lastly, I pulled a silver snowflake out of my craft closet and glued it on to the front of the cup cozy. Of course you could use any kind of gem, sticker, patch or button you like.

To fit the holiday, event or personalize. 

And voila!

Snowflake Stickers to add to Cup Cozy

A fabulously fashionable (free!) denim cup cozy made from an old pair of jeans that's actually a pretty perfect gift.

Winter, spring, summer of fall...

Coupled with a mug from the discount store and a $5 gift card, I now have a great gift for someone special (or me) for about ten bucks.

Think Mother's Day gift, teacher gift, hostess gift, birthday present, stocking stuffer...or party favor. And imagine how cute this would be if you made it from colored skinny jeans!

Pink, purple, yellow, blue...

Fabulous!!
DIY Denim Cup Cozy completed with snowflake sticker on front


Christmas Gift Idea Denim Cup Cozy DIY Text Over Cup Cozy Photo


denim cup cozy, jean tumbler, jean cup
Author: Kim @ Exquisitely Unremarkable

Denim Cup Cozy DIY

Make a coffee or tea cup cozy from an old pair of jeans with this simple DIY pattern.

materials:

  • Old pair of jean
  • Thread or Fabric Glue
  • Embellishment- patch, sticker, gem, button

tools:

  • Needle
  • Scissors

steps:

  1. Cut bottom of jean pant leg off
  2. Fit the pant leg snuggly around the cup
  3. Pin it in place
  4. Sew or glue the the fabric in place
  5. Glue, sew or iron your detail embellishment on to cozy

NOTES:

This can be customized for any season or event or personalized.
Colorful jeans would look great in spring or summer.
Created using Craft Card Maker


Happy Crafting!!
Kim Signature


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  1. How cute! I love how you recycled and it is pretty as well as functional. Thanks so much for sharing!!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Tammy! And yes I hate throwing anything away. I either donate or recycle...free craft supplies! Woo hoo!

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  2. Absolutely adorable! You come up with the cutest ideas!

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    1. Thanks Stacey! You're the sweetest. 😊

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  3. Good morning, Kim! Lovely little denim cup cozy you have there. You are totall right! Sometimes getting out the sewing machine is more trouble than it's worth. So that's the costume secrrt is it? Just tuck and tack? I'll have to try it on a cup cozy - if I find a pair of skinny jeans! (None of mine could qualify...πŸ˜‰)
    Happy fall! It has finally here, too.)

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    1. Thanks Nancy...and yes, skinny jeans about over here, but not in my closet! Well, maybe one pair, but they're only skinny at the ankles! Ha! πŸ˜‰

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  4. Love the fringe on the bottom! What a great idea!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Pepper! Much easier than hemming it too...win win!

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  5. Really cute idea! It would make a great stocking gift!

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  6. I CAN"T EVEN HANDLE THE CUTENESS!!!! Yes, I am shouting about this. Kim!!!! I love this. You are a genius!

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    1. Lisa, you are the cutest!! I love your shouting! I am smiling and smiling...😊😊

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  7. Once again you wow me with your creativity, my friend!! You are truly the crafting queen!!!

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    1. Thanks Debbie!! You always make my day with your heartfelt comments!! ❤️

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  8. Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Debbie!! I really appreciate the comment. 😊

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  9. Hi Kim, oh this is just the cutes idea. I love it and I will have to make this for gift giving.
    Keep warm.
    Julie xo

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    Replies
    1. Julie, it’s my take on the sweet crocheted ones…yet another reason for me to learn!

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  10. Looks great! You are one busy crafter.
    Brenda

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    Replies
    1. It's my therapy, Brenda. Helps to keep me sane! πŸ˜‰

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  11. THIS is SUPER Cute and reading it today made me smile. Why? Well, we had a HIGH of 32 degrees with wind and.............snow flurries ! Yep our first snow here. Around 2:30 or so we had snow coming down enough to excite the grands ( off school and I was watching them ) to immediately bundle up and run outside. Later on around 4:30 enough to coat the ground here and there.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Deb, thanks so much!! I love your capitals!! As we speak I am typing with gloves on. It's suddenly so cold outside,I almost can't take it. We are expecting snow this weekend, too. From flip flops to rock salt in the same week. Ugh.

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  12. Cute idea and inexpensive! Every year I say I'm not going to make any gifts but then I usually do and regret it later. I made one so far and since it is not up to my standards for gifts, I am keeping it. Hey, that worked out pretty good!

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    1. Haha! I might end with this one myself, AnnMarie. It looks pretty good, but I actually really like it! Stay warm. It’s COLD outside tonight.

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  13. Adorable! Love this original twist on a cup cozy.

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  14. What a clever way to use jeans that no longer fit! And, with a gift card to a favorite coffee shop, you have the
    perfect holiday gift. You never run out of great ideas, Kim!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Susan! I have fun making things, it's my meditation.

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  15. Replies
    1. Thanks Florence. I like this one, too. Maybe too much....shhh!

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  16. I lost you when I quit blogging, but so happy to have found you again. You always have such great ideas and a wonderful perspective on life.

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    1. You are just the sweetest! I loved your blog and your own perspective. I also remember your beautifully bright patio set and checkered floor. Fabulous! Glad you're back in the comments and thank you for the kind words!! Happy Thanksgiving!

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  17. What a super idea, you are very creative ... and I think the fringe on the bottom just perfect.
    Have a lovely weekend.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Thanks so much, Jan! This one was easy and even my kids like it. That's success! πŸ˜‰

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  18. I am loving this idea! I am always suggesting handmade gift ideas to my granddaughters as an economical way to remember their friends at Christmas. Who wouldn't love this?

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    1. Thanks Jane! This was a fun one to make and everyone seems to love it. I doubt it will be given away...and we don't even drink coffee! Ha!

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  19. Cute, adirabke, precious (and the cozy ain’t bad either). ;)

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    1. Why thank you, ma'am!! You're not so bad yourself. Happy Thanksgiving down south! ❤️

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  20. I love anything that recycles denim. Thisi is a lovely gift idea.

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  21. Cute idea! Right now, my local Starbucks has some of their cups on sale for $2.00! Perfect gift idea! Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Wow...that would be perfect to tuck inside a denim cozy. Two bucks? I want one! Thanks so much for the visit and the kind comment!

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  22. I love a good denim upcycle! This really cute especially with the snowflake embellishment. Pinning to my denim board.

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    1. Thanks so much, Claire! I love getting pinned. πŸ˜‰

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  23. I can think of so many people who would love this! Thanks for the inspiration.

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  24. What a great idea, Kim! I love your cozy! It is really beautiful with the snowflake. Kisses, my friend.

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    1. Thanks so much, Mia! I love that snowflake, too.

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  25. What a great idea, Kim. I love this. You're so clever. Hugs.

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  26. Fantastic idea and is a great gift idea as well.

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    1. Thanks Vanessa. I was determined to use those old jeans for something. Glad you like it!

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  27. Another great idea. I also craft more now that the evenings are longer and chilly, it is a nice cozy season we're having.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Crafting a cozy while I'm getting cozy! πŸ˜‰Great idea!! xo

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  28. This has to be the cutest cup cozy I have ever seen!! These would make such wonderful gifts for all of my coffee loving friends!! Thank you for the inspiration!

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    1. Thanks for the super sweet comment, Sam. I really like it and am finding it hard to giveaway. Going to have to make more for sure!

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  29. CUTE!! What a fun idea. Love the snowflake. ;-)

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  30. What a cute idea! I need to make me some of these. I'm always wrapping a napkin around my drink. This would me better!

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  31. That's so cute Kim and I have a pair of skinny jeans that this not so skinny ass of mine will never fit into again, that would be perfect for something like this.

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    1. Yeah...I have those too, Michelle...too many holiday treats, for sure!

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  32. On my way to the Good Will to purchase skinny jeans. This is too cute!

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    Replies
    1. Oh yay!! I love it when someone is inspired!!

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