DIY Christmas Applique Denim Pockets: A Fun Festive Upcycle

Join us in creating Christmas Applique Denim Pockets, blending the fun of repurposing with the magic of the holiday season.

Welcome to a world where traditional holiday hues meet the unique charm of upcycled denim.

As I embrace the festive spirit this year, I’m delighted to share a creative twist on holiday crafting: Christmas Applique Denim Pockets.

While denim may not be the first material that comes to mind for Christmas decorations, its versatility and durability make it an excellent choice for upcycling into holiday decor.

In the past, I’ve transformed jean seams into delightful denim Christmas trees and fabric star ornaments. This season, inspired by the success of my Valentine’s heart pockets, I’m excited to introduce a Christmas version. These pockets embody the spirit of repurposing and add an unexpected and fun element to your holiday decorations.

Step-by-Step Christmas Applique Pockets

Materials and Tools:

• The back pockets of old denim jeans
• Assorted Christmas-themed cookie cutters (Christmas tree, bauble, and angel wing shapes). If you don’t have any, you can download my free templates.
• Colourful scrap fabric
• Sewing needle and thread
• Sharp scissors
• Denim belt loop (or repurposed denim strips)

Step 1: Turn your denim pocket inside out. Then, Place your chosen cookie cutter (or downloaded template) on it and trace the shape.

Step 2: Using small sharp scissors, carefully cut out the traced shape from the top layer of the pocket, keeping the back intact. Then turn it right sides out.

Step 3: Choose a colourful scrap of fabric large enough to cover the Christmas-shaped hole. Place it inside the pocket, aligning it behind the cut-out. This fabric will be the backdrop of your applique, adding a burst of colour. Pin it in place.

Top tip: If the fabric you have chosen is very thin and flimsy, consider adding iron on fabric stabilizer to the back.

How to do a blanket stitch

Step 4: Bringing It Together with Stitches: Using a blanket stitch sew around the cut-out edge with your needle and thread. This secures the scrap fabric in place and adds a decorative touch to your pocket.

1. Start the Stitch: Insert the needle from back to front near the edge of the fabric to hide the knot.
2. Form the Stitch: Hold the thread to the side, insert the needle a short distance (about ¼ inch) from the first point, and bring it up through the loop of the thread.
3. Repeat the Process: Continue inserting the needle at equal distances, ensuring the thread loop is under the needle before pulling through.

Step 5: The Finishing Touch: attach a denim belt loop to one corner of the pocket for a practical and aesthetic final touch. This acts as a convenient hanger for your pocket, ready to be displayed.

And there you have it – your very own Christmas Applique Denim Pockets! They are fun to fill with festive treats. Whether hanging on your tree or strung across your mantel, these pockets are sure to add a personal touch to your holiday decor.

The joy of creating something unique and sustainable is what makes DIY projects like this so special. Happy crafting, and Merry Christmas!

I have three sons, so I made three Christmas applique pockets, one for each. These included a Christmas tree, a bauble and a pair of angel wings.

Other Related Crafts

These denim pot holders were decorated with the same Christmas reverse applique designs.

Check out these other ideas for upcycling denim pockets. You’ll find Halloween embroidered denim bags and mushroom-painted denim hanging pockets.

Also, there are many more Christmas denim crafts on the site too.