Snow Moon 2008

I looked up "frugal" in the thesaurus: cheap, stingy, thrifty, economical, penny-pinching, parsimonious. I tend to like "penny-pinching" as it conjures up the vignette of an old-fashioned housewife in her red-and-white checkered apron, watching carefully over the nest egg that is used to run the family household. Hee hee! That's not really my look or my style, but I do tend to be something of a thrifty gal around the house, especially when it comes to DIY projects. Keep in mind, my projects are long on time, short on cost. So you'll need a few free hours if you plan to take this one on.

One day, my darling husband asked me to help him extend the life of his favorite pair of Levi's. He had an idea. He has many ideas, some good, some bad, some just plain weird. But I always listen and try to be supportive. And, I had to admit, he was on to something with The Pocket Patch.

If you are up for the fashion challenge, then here's what you'll need:

• an old pair of jeans
• the pocket from an even older pair of jeans
• carpet or upholstery thread
• a strong, sharp needle
• a scissors
• a thimble
• a good movie
• your choice of beverage/snack

First, trim the pocket of all extraneous material. Then, using a short strand of thread, start sewing the pocket over the knee (or other threadbare) area. I suggest sewing short strands of thread, rather than one long strand, because if the thread gives out, then you won't have the entire strand loosening up while you are wearing the pants! Sewing this patch will take awhile, and it's tough to get the needle through the thick denim. I used the edge of my scissors or a thimble to help push the needle through.

When you are done, you'll have to admit that this is an eye-catching solution to the age-old problem of worn out knees. Amaze and astound your friends with your thiftiness by giving the pocket patch a try.

What to do when the jeans are really shot? Well, that's fodder for a future column. But just to get you thinking...there is always the timeless fashion of cut-offs (careful, guys, Daisy Dukes look good on girls, not so hot on guys). Then, use the bottom part of the leg to make a nifty denim throw rug. I swear I saw a how-to article in an old Martha mag laying around my house. Now, if I can find it, I'm in business.