Jeaneology (by Nancy Flynn) Shows Girls How to Recycle Discarded Jeans into Cool Fashion Accessories
Nancy Flynn’s crafts-for-girls book, Jeaneology, is an introduction to making accessories and clothing items from worn-out, outgrown, or simply hated jeans. Designed for tweens and teens, Jeaneology is filled with ideas from Daisy Dukes to boho skirts, funky flares, shoulder bags, jewelry, and even non-attire items like coasters and book covers.
Starting with an introduction to essential tools and sewing terms, Jeaneology takes the reader step-by-step through the creation of projects for themselves or for cool gifts. The shoulder bag featured is a popular item at craft fairs; a thrift shop manager told me that whenever her store has its bag sales, one woman comes and buys all the jeans, which she then makes into the very same type of shoulder bag.
All of the projects are rated by length of time to complete and difficulty. While hand-sewing with a heavy duty needle is an option, a sewing machine is preferable for most of the twenty-five projects in Jeaneology. Not all of the projects repurpose old jeans; there are several suggestions for revamping pairs that have lost their appeal or need an update, such as embellishing, distressing, and weathering. Yes, there’s even instruction on the fine art of making holes.
There are enough ideas in Jeaneology that they are certain to multiply—inspiring more projects that can be made with jeans or other recycled fabrics (or both combined). Some projects require a few other ingredients besides the old jeans. For example, a laundry bag is made with a pair of jeans and three yards of ribbon. (It’s a given that sewing projects all require thread and straight pins—basic tools in a seamstress’s toolbox.)
Looking for a great gift idea for that special young woman? While Jeaneology is a nice little gift in itself, combine it with the gift of a sewing machine and give a girl the opportunity to be creative, original, and—dare I say it?—green.
Bottom Line: Would I buy Jeaneology? Yes, I would, but not for the young women in my life; I want it for myself. (I actually won a ribbon at the county fair for a vest made from two pairs of men’s jeans, one black and one blue.)
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