My first blog post ever is a crafting post, using some Gap jeans I bought at Goodwill, & "reincarnating" them into some fun Americana jeans - just in time for the family Memorial Day bash.
Here we go....
Supplies:
Step 2: Figure out how high you want your colored insert to go, measure from the bottom & mark it on both outer leg seams, and use a seam ripper to open the outside side seam. (My slit was 20")
**NOTE** If the outside seam of your jeans is the seam with the top stitching, then open up the inner leg instead.
Step 3: Select your insert fabric. For my Americana jeans, I selected a red, white & blue batik cotton with stars. I wanted a wide inset, so I cut my inset triangle to be 22" tall by 6.5" wide.
Here we go....
Supplies:
- 1 pair of jeans to be "reincarnated"
- 2 pieces of fabric that are 24" x 7" (preferably 24" with the long grain or warp of the fabric, but not necessary)
- Sewing Machine, scissors, seam ripper
- Embroidery thread & needle (optional for hand stitching on applique stars)
Step 2: Figure out how high you want your colored insert to go, measure from the bottom & mark it on both outer leg seams, and use a seam ripper to open the outside side seam. (My slit was 20")
**NOTE** If the outside seam of your jeans is the seam with the top stitching, then open up the inner leg instead.
Step 3: Select your insert fabric. For my Americana jeans, I selected a red, white & blue batik cotton with stars. I wanted a wide inset, so I cut my inset triangle to be 22" tall by 6.5" wide.
Step 4: Pin your inset to the leg slits starting from the bottom up, and check to make sure the grain is straight by holding up your jeans when everything is pinned so you can see it hang straight.
Step 5: Sew your inset triangle into your slit. I used .5" seam allowance & gave myself about 2 extra inches at the top of my triangle so that I knew I had plenty of fabric to close everything up.
Step 6: Hem. I tried on my jeans & use a dress makers hem marker to mark out my hem. I did a simple double rolled hem with a straight stitch - then I went over that with a cute flower stitch. the bulky seams were too much for the flower stitch, so I had to "jump" over those.
Step 5: Sew your inset triangle into your slit. I used .5" seam allowance & gave myself about 2 extra inches at the top of my triangle so that I knew I had plenty of fabric to close everything up.
Step 6: Hem. I tried on my jeans & use a dress makers hem marker to mark out my hem. I did a simple double rolled hem with a straight stitch - then I went over that with a cute flower stitch. the bulky seams were too much for the flower stitch, so I had to "jump" over those.
Step 7: Decorate as you like! Done!
I used the extra jeans fabric to make stars, and I cut out some of the stars from my inset fabric. Then I hand stitched them on using embroidery thread. I think they need a little bling, but I haven't decided what I want to do about that yet. hmm, maybe sequins ;-)
Here my nosy cat got in the way. I'm sure we'll see more of him as this blog progresses.
Here my nosy cat got in the way. I'm sure we'll see more of him as this blog progresses.