Barbie Shukster has a knack for reusing many things. This is especially the case when it comes to old jeans! It started when she was a gym teacher, trying to find low cost ways to create more gym equipment – and who would have guessed what a durable fabric jean would be to make bean bags from!
Last year, Barbie’s design for denim toss pillows was featured as a top finalist in a 
recycled denim challenge on Inhabitat. Perhaps the accolades gave her inspiration, or perhaps the fact that old jeans started flying at her left, right, and centre – either way she ended up starting a new project – a quilt!
I think it is so important to highlight when old materials have been upcycled. What was once an old pile of tattered pants that many individuals did not have use to wear anymore is now a beautiful quilt that will last for many years.
Congratulations on your accomplishments and crafty nature Barbie, keep on repurposing!
Thank you for the comments everyone! It was a fun project and made use of all my children’s old jeans. Originally I was making it to be the quilt for the lake, but I love it so much that it is staying in the city!
Way to go, Barbie! Great idea!
I love these! When I was in High School we cut the legs off the jeans. Sewed shut the leg holes and used the fabric from the legs to make a strap. We had the coolest totes ever!
Lea, that sounds like a trend that could resurface! I bet you had patches and everything 🙂
Great work Barbie you did great shirley