DIY Kids Dungarees from Old Jeans – Upcycling Dad’s Denim

A Piece of Dad on Little Legs – a Useful Upcycling Project to Sew Yourself

Maybe you know this one pair of jeans:Already a little worn, softened by life, full of memories. Walks, trips, moving days, maybe the first baby carried on the hip – somehow all of it lives inside this fabric.

Instead of giving it away, it gets to start all over again:as kids dungarees from old jeans, sewn with your hands, for your child.

For many children it feels very special to wear “Dad’s (or Mum’s) trousers”. They sense it – even if they can’t quite put it into words:

• I’m wearing something of yours.

• I am a little more like you.

• I feel a tiny bit big – and still completely myself.

Upcycling becomes so much more than “turning old into new”. It becomes a little story your child wears right next to their skin – sustainable, loving and one of a kind.

Why Kids Dungarees from Old Jeans Are So Special

• Sustainable & mindful: Reusing old clothing saves resources, reduces waste and quietly teaches your child: we treat things with care.

• Emotionally connected: A pair of kids dungarees made from Dad’s (or Mum’s) jeans is almost like a wearable keepsake. It tells a story of family, closeness and everyday magic.

• Creative & playful: You can play with contrast fabrics, pockets, topstitching and little details – every pair of dungarees becomes a one-of-a-kind piece. Unique, just like your child.

Materials & Preparation

What You’ll Need

• 1 old pair of adult jeans (e.g. men’s or women’s jeans)

• Sewing pattern for simple kids’ trousers (matching your child’s size)

• Medium-weight cotton fabric (for bib, back waistband, optional straps and small details)

• Sewing machine with jeans needle

• Elastic for the back waistband

• Press studs / snaps for the straps

• Matching sewing thread

• Fabric scissors, pins or clips, measuring tape, fabric marker / chalk

The fabric amount of an adult jeans is usually more than enough to sew kids dungarees in common children’s sizes – especially if you make clever use of the existing seams and pockets.

Preparing the Jeans

1. Wash & dry: Wash the jeans and let them dry completely – this way you sew on clean, nicely softened fabric.

2. Open seams: Carefully unpick or cut open the inside leg seams and the crotch seam so you end up with large, flat pieces of denim. You can cut off the original waistband.

3. Save the pockets: Gently remove one or both back pockets – they will become cute details later on, for example a front pocket on the bib or a back pocket on the kids’ trousers.

Cutting the Pattern Pieces

Use your kids’ trousers pattern or a well-fitting pair of trousers as a base.(For my version I used a pattern by Lotte & Ludwig.)

1. Front and Back Trousers: Lay the pattern pieces onto the jeans so that you can include existing topstitching in a nice way – for example as a decorative side seam or running along the legs.Make sure to follow the grainline and place the pattern where you like the wash and fading of the denim.

2. Cutting the Bib: Draw the shape of your bib (rectangular or slightly curved) and cut:

   • 1x from jeans

   • 1x from cotton fabric

   Both pieces should be the same size.

   Later you can decide which side will be the outside and which the inside.Alternatively, you can sew the bib from cotton on both sides.

3. Cutting the Straps: Cut 2 long strips:

   • from jeans or cotton fabric (or a mix of both)

   Width: about 5–6 cm (desired strap width + seam allowance).

   Length: depending on your child’s size – it’s better to cut them a little longer and shorten later.

4. Front Pocket from Original Back Pocket: You can turn one of the original back pockets into a bib pocket:

   1. Straighten the top edge if needed and adjust the sides or narrow the bottom slightly if you like.

   2. Cut a matching piece from cotton fabric (with seam allowance).

   3. Place jeans pocket and cotton piece right sides together and sew them together, leaving a small opening for turning.

   4. Turn the pocket right side out, shape the corners, and close the turning gap (for example by topstitching all around).

   This gives you a beautiful little bib pocket with a cute lining that still clearly tells of its denim origins.

Step-by-Step: Sewing Kids Dungarees from Old Jeans

1. Sew the Trousers

1. Sew the front and back trouser pieces from the jeans together – exactly as described in your pattern (side seams, inside leg seams, crotch seam). You don’t need a separate waistband at this point.

2. Hem the legs: fold the lower edge up, press and topstitch.

Now you have a simple pair of kids’ jeans – and we’re going to turn them into dungarees.

2. Prepare the Bib

1. Attach the bib pocketPlace the prepared pocket in the centre of the bib piece that will be on the outside later.Pin in place and topstitch close to the edge all around – leave the top open, of course.

2. Sew and turn the bib

   • Place the denim bib piece and the cotton bib piece right sides together.

   • Sew around the edges, leaving the bottom edge open – this is where the bib will later be joined to the trousers.

   • Trim the corners, turn the bib right side out and carefully shape all edges.

   • Optionally topstitch close to the edge – this adds stability and gives a neat finish. Important: Skip the side edges that will later be joined to the back waistband when topstitching, so you can still attach the waistband there afterwards.

   
   

3. Sew the Straps

1. Fold the strap strips lengthwise right sides together.

2. Sew along the long edge and one short end.

3. Turn the straps right side out and shape the corners.

You can play with contrast here too: denim on the outside, cotton inside, or the other way around.

4. Prepare Back Waistband & Elastic

1. Cut the back waistband

   • Cut a strip of soft fabric (e.g. cotton) for the back waistband.

   • You only need the length for the back half of the trousers, since the bib will sit in front.

   • The strip needs to be wide enough to hold your elastic comfortably (plus seam allowances).

2. Pre-shape the waistband

   • Fold the waistband strip lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press.

   • You can leave the short ends open (the elastic will later be caught at the sides) or close them after inserting the elastic.

5. Join Waistband and Bib

1. Join waistband and bib at the sidesArrange the waistband strip and the bib so they form one continuous “top piece”: bib in the front, waistband in the back.

   • Open up the side edges of the bib again (denim and cotton layers).

   • Place the waistband right sides together against the side edges of the bib and sew them together on both sides.

   Now you have one connected top part: bib (front) and waistband (back).

2. Insert the elastic

   • Fold the waistband back together so that it becomes a tunnel.

   • Sew along the long open edge, leaving a small gap for turning and inserting the elastic.

   • Thread the elastic through the waistband tunnel with a safety pin, adjust it to your child’s waist and fix both elastic ends (e.g. at the sides).

   The elastic makes the trousers comfy and allows them to grow with your child.

6. Attach the Bib Part to the Trousers

Make sure the bib doesn’t sit too high – your child should be able to move freely and easily.

1. Attach the front

   • Lay the trousers in front of you with the right side facing up.

   • Place the bib with its open bottom edge right sides together on top of the front trouser edge and pin it in the centre.

2. Attach the back

   • Place the back waistband (with elastic inside) right sides together against the top back edge of the trousers and pin it in place.

3. Sew around the top

   • Sew the bib and back waistband all the way around onto the trousers.

   • At the side seams you can catch the elastic ends so they sit securely.

   • Optionally, you can topstitch along the seam on the outside to keep everything neat and flat.

4. Fix the elasticIf the elastic length is just right, you can sew one line along the centre of the waistband (following the elastic) to keep the gathers evenly in place.

7. Attach the Straps Crossed Over

1. Sew the straps to the back

   • Mark two points on the back (along the waistband or just below it) where the straps should be attached.

   • Sew the straps firmly in place – crossed over at the back.This not only looks sweet but also stops the straps from slipping off the shoulders.

2. Adjust the length

   • Place the straps over your child’s shoulders to the front and adjust the length.

   • Mark the position for the snaps on the top edge of the bib.

3. Add the snaps

   • Attach the press studs/snaps to the strap ends and to the bib – following the instructions for your snap system.

   • You can set more than one snap position on the bib so the dungarees can grow with your child.

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Short & sweet: Kids dungarees from Dad’s jeans

1. Prepare the jeans:

   Wash and dry the jeans, unpick the inside leg seams and the crotch seam, cut off the waistband. Carefully remove the back pockets.

2. Cut the pattern pieces:

   Cut the front and back trouser pieces from the jeans using your kids’ trousers pattern. Prepare the bib (2x) and back waistband from sturdy fabric, as well as the strap strips and, if you like, a small front pocket.

3. Sew the trousers:

   Sew front and back pieces together (side seams, inside leg seams, crotch seam). Hem the trouser legs at the bottom.

4. Sew bib and front pocket:

   Sew the pocket onto the outer bib piece. Place denim and cotton bib right sides together, sew, turn right side out and topstitch close to the edge.

5. Prepare straps and waistband:

   Sew the straps lengthwise right sides together, turn right side out and topstitch. Cut the back waistband from cotton, fold it lengthwise and prepare it as a tunnel.

6. Join waistband, elastic & bib:

   Attach the waistband to the sides of the bib. Close the waistband tunnel, thread in the elastic and adjust it to your child’s waist.

7. Attach the top to the trousers:

   Sew the bib at the front and the waistband at the back right sides together to the top edge of the trousers. Catch the elastic at the side seams and press everything upwards, topstitch if you like.

8. Attach the straps crossed over:

   Sew the straps crossed over onto the back waistband, fit the length on your child. Add snaps to straps and bib – and your new favourite pair of dungarees is ready.

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Little Details that Make Your Kids Dungarees Unique

• Highlighting original topstitching: Keep some of the original jeans seams visible on purpose – they tell the story of where the fabric came from and give a cool, “real denim” look.

• Hidden contrast fabric: Cotton fabric on the inside of the bib, inside the straps or in small inserts makes the dungarees colourful on the inside and sturdy on the outside.

• Pockets for treasures: Besides the bib pocket you can keep the second original back pocket – maybe on the back or at the side, perfect for chestnuts, stones and little forest treasures.I simply left one pocket on the fabric and cut the trouser piece around it so it stayed a back pocket on the kids’ trousers.

• Tiny story details: A small appliqué star, a heart or a tiny label with initials – these little touches turn your upcycling project into a very personal companion.

Everyday Life with the New Favourite Dungarees

A pair of kids dungarees made from old jeans is sturdy enough for mud kitchens, climbing trees and playground slides – and at the same time full of heart.

• The elastic at the back gives freedom to move.

• The crossed-over straps stay in place without digging in.

• Denim becomes softer with every wash – and more precious with every memory.

Maybe one day these dungarees will end up in a memory box – with grass stains, worn knees and a whole lot of childhood inside.

If you love projects like this, you already know: sewing is not just a craft.It’s a quiet way of saying: I see you. I’m making something just for you.

And maybe, after these kids dungarees, you’ll feel like creating more little everyday wonders – handmade favourites, sewing projects, illustrated companions, things that are not just “stuff” but carry stories within them.

Perhaps you’d like to wander through my little, magical frifri world someday – where illustration, mindfulness and imagination meet, and everyday objects gently turn into tiny miracles.

A gentle hug, and see you soon.