Jean seams door mat

Been putting my guys "trashed" jeans aside for future projects.. I knew I would need a fair amount for what I want to do...  but I also knew I wouldn't be happy tossing a lot of scraps.. 

Been on the look out for ideas.. came across a video on YouTube that got me thinking.. they did a large coaster/trivet,  by rolling and hot gluing the seams not quite what I was after but cool ..

 I use the outer thicker seams for straps but after cutting up a dozen pairs I had a lot that weren't quite good enough for that purpose... 

 belt loops can add interest or have a useful function in many projects true..

however I have something I want to try with the waist bands.. 

The tiny ends are going to find their way into another project.. eventually along with the other bits and pieces.. 

the rest will work for my scrap door mat.. 

Nothing fancy here.. useful definitely.. 

Some of the seams I left larger edges on as the holes were cut around. I do want the "frayed" look after washing 

I used a piece of poly cotton fabric scrap I had leftover for the backing.. didn't measure anything just used what I had laying around.. 

 I didn't want anything thicker than necessary.. the seams are thick enough for a good mat.. no need to add extra stress to the sewing machine.. just enough to hold it together..  after sewing add puffy fabric paint or hot glue lines to the back for nonskid effect..

I simply stitched through the centers of the strips adding another snuggly as I went

At the ends I just turned it stitching the new strip's top in place.. 

Rolling the works as needed to fit through the machine..

You definitely want to use a heavy duty needle.. and sturdy thread.. 

I made one on my Singer Heavy Duty machine going through the pieces smoothly..

Tried another on my regular Singer without issues.. I did have to slow down in places but overall it was smooth.. 

I didn't attempt it on my lighter duty machine.. 

I highly doubt it could handle it, works well for light repairs though and I wasn't about to turn down a free machine lol 

After adding the strips I did stitch from side to side with about one inch in between rows zig zagging a couple of the joins to ensure everything stayed laying flat . and didn't fall apart in the wash.

A few months of use and still holding up well.. perfect for drying wet boots on 

Thimble for knitting

 I haven't been knitting much lately, just a random project here and there.. 

I tend to knit with a snug tension, not overly tight but snug enough to hold dpns in place.. I didn't realize just how much I used my index finger to scoot my needle back a bit until now .. 

I love my Knit Picks needles, their tips are still super pointy after more then a decade of use.. while I haven't been able to use them much recently they have been used for countless projects .. after a few hours I started to feel just how unconditioned my finger tips were.. I have been doing a lot of sewing.. it hit me my thimble from my great grandma would be perfect 

It is open on one side.. so fits on several fingertips well.. also allows for longer finger nails .. 

 

Worked out great.. only used it for a day until my finger was no longer tender.. after a couple of projects I am back to not needing it.. but will definitely keep this in mind if there is another long break in between knit projects