Do you have pairs of jeans or denim jackets, and find that you aren’t wearing them as often anymore? I decided to make some changes and up-cycle my denim to portray more personality. Here are some different ideas to make your denim extra fancy and express yourself!
1.Denim Jacket with Tulle Hemline
I purchased this jacket already like this, but this an easy DIY project. This denim jacket has tulle added to the bottom and bling badges pinned. All you need to do is purchase tulle and sew it to the inside of the hem of the denim jacket. You can sew on as many layers of the tulle depending on the look you desire or you can gather the tulle and sew along the hemline.
2. Painted Denim
If you are a talented artist, or know someone who is, then you can paint on your denim! Make sure you draw your image first, using fabric pencils. Then with fabric paint you can go ahead and paint your desired image. You can do basic images or fancy depending on your preference. Be careful to never iron straight on the paint.
3. Iron on Transfers on Denim
If you’re not too artistically skilled, another option is to purchase an iron-on transfer. You can find many excellent retro inspired designs online. Follow the instructions, but most just require ironing upside down onto the fabric. Be careful to never to iron straight on the transfer, when ironing your denim, as it may melt!
4. Patches on Denim
You can purchase retro patches and sew or iron them onto your denim. Patches are an easy and affordable option to decorate your denim, and there are so many designs to choose from online, at markets or sewing shops.
5. Embroidered Denim
Embroidery is a super fun DIY if you already have the skills, or are willing to learn! There are plenty of online videos and tutorials making it easy to learn. I am planning on embroidering cherries on a pair of denim capris, so check out my blog in the next few weeks! Some sewing machines also have embroidery functions.
6. Fabric on Denim
Retro fabric can be sewn onto your denim, for a fresh look! To make it look professional I like to sew the fabric along the sewn sections of the denim, such as collars, pockets or the back seam of the jacket, like above. Place the fabric over the area you want to sew it on, and cut it about 2.5cm bigger. Pin it to the area while tucking the edges under, for a tidy edge. Now you’re ready to sew! Try sewing as close as possible to the fabric edge. With excess fabric you can also make matching headbands, scarves or bags.
Double denim was big in the 1950’s, and I have achieved this look by sewing the same fabric on denim pants and jacket!
I hope this inspires you try up-cycling your old denim items. You can even purchase second hand denim from op shops, markets or vintage clothes shops to try out your DIY ideas. Send me photos of your finished products, I would love to see them.
Back soon….
Ridiculously Retro 
