The Jean Apron
A Beautiful, Upcycled Denim Apron
2.16 million tons.
That’s how many jeans we throw away every year. At their roots, jeans are the durable, everyday pant. How did they become so disposable?
The Jean Apron gives landfill-bound jeans a second chance at the life they were built for — one where they wear in, not out. Aprons are meant for mess, and this one gets better with every rip, scuff, and paint splatter.
EPOP: Market-Led Design
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In teams of three, Design and manufacture a product to be sold at the Firefly Handmade Market.
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Shoppers at this market are looking for inoffensive holiday gifts. Aprons are versatile, unisex, and familiar, which makes them perfect for gifting.
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The EPOP shop was a temporary pop-up that sold almost 200 student-made products over two days. The Jean Apron sold out.
Product Evolution
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01
Simple design; jeans separated into pattern pieces and sewn together.
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02
Addition of pockets, leather trim, and patch made from jeans’ tags. Added character and function.
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03
Made our own patchwork-inspired textile; simplified functional elements by integrating top-stitched pockets into the patchwork grid.
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04 Final
Honed in on order of operations when sewing to ensure smooth production and clean details. Added EPOP Shop branding tag.
Apron provides durable cover for fabrication workers at Folsom Custom Skis.
Repurposed belt loops for hanging
Integrated pockets are roomy.
Folsom Custom Skis employee uses the Jean Apron for daily tune-ups.
The Jean Apron sold out of all units.
Strap keeper laser cut and hand-sewn; ensures adjustability at the neck.