Ideas for Embellishing Jeans
Showcase your individuality with a completely unique pair of self-embellished jeans. Permanent markers, bleach pens, rhinestones, stitching, ribbon, razors and more can be used to modify jeans and create something completely new. With a little time and creativity, you can become your own fashion designer and even design your own trademark.
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Writing and Drawing
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Enhance your jeans with a personal touch. There are many ways to write or draw on jeans. Simple methods involve using a permanent marker or bleach pen. However, fabric paint, thread and stamps can be used to create patterns and write words. Before tampering with the denim, practice on a piece of paper to perfect handwriting, design and other details.
Accessories
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There are many accessories that can be sewn on, glued on, ironed on or otherwise attached to jeans as embellishments. These include buttons, patches, charms, rhinestones, ribbon, fabric flowers and other fabric shapes.
Add a pattern to one or both of the back pockets to mimic the designer trademarks that usually appear there. Create a design using rhinestones and stitching to serve as your own trademark. Trademark ideas include your initials written in unusual ways or imitating a favorite doodle or design.
Embellishments along the seams on the side of the jeans can give the appearance of longer legs. Floral patterns, rhinestones, studs, buttons, ribbon and more can be used to accomplish this illusion. Cut a strip from a different material, such as tweed or velvet, and stitch it along the side of the jeans for a contrasting texture.
When using multiple types of decoration, start with the largest item first. For example, iron-on decorations or patches should be applied first. These can be followed with ribbons, rhinestones, nail heads, crystals, and other details.
Another way to add character to a lifeless pair of jeans is to cut upward from the seams. This creates an opening around the ankle that adds flair. Add ribbon and rhinestones around the edges for a designer look.
Distressed Jeans
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Create a worn-out, distressed appearance by fading and ripping jeans before adding embellishments.
There are two ways to fade jeans. The more natural approach is to wash them repeatedly over time. For a more immediate result, lay jeans out over an old towel and stuff them with plastic bags. Wear rubber gloves and apply bleach to the jeans with a sponge. Work quickly to avoid excessive damage, and wash the jeans in cold water as soon as you are done.
To create rips and tears, place a block of wood inside the leg of the jeans. There are many household tools available that create different patterns and types of wear in the denim; practice on an old pair of jeans or an inexpensive new pair.
A knife can be rubbed in either direction to create a shaved effect. Sandpaper creates an extremely worn look without actually tearing the fabric. To create a worn-out pocket effect, place something in the pocket and sand around the shape with sandpaper or a pumice stone. Using the rough side of a cheese grater can also create an interesting pattern.
Worn-out holes should be blended into the jeans with liberal amounts of fading. There should be surrounding damage that diminishes in intensity as the distance from the hole increases.
Rips can be created with a pocket knife or razor blade. These rips do not require the same authentic wear as a worn-out hole because rips are not usually caused from wear. Rub the knife or razor across the jeans. Continue until a slit appears and grows. Then wash the jeans to soften the edge.
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