Hey kids! You wore those jeans all summer long and now they're too short, too small and too out-at-the-knees to wear back to school. Before you trash those blues, rescue the 2 back pockets (chances are, they are still in good shape) and recycle them into the perfect crayon pouch, change purse or anything-else bag. Here's how.

You'll need both sides of 1/2- to 3/4-in-wide Velcro hook-and-loop tape (approx 2 cm/3/4 in shorter than top edge of pocket) and matching thread. Carefully cut 2 belt loops from waistband (for pull tabs), then, just outside all edges, cut out 2 back pockets (be careful not to snip folded edges of pockets). Turn each pocket over, then, just inside topstitching, trim away seat fabric and discard.

Fold each belt loop so cut ends are even, centre along top edge of each pocket and pin ends to wrong side, approx 1 cm (3/8 in) down. Pin 1 side of Velcro to wrong side of each pocket, centring along top edge and covering loop ends; stitch in place by hand or machine. With wrong sides together and edges even, stitch 2 pockets together around side/bottom edges.

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