Many of us have been thinking about the need to reduce our use of the earth's resources, and buying fewer clothes. There is also the fact that during lockdown it has been more difficult to buy new clothes, forcing us to think about extending the life of our existing ones. With this in mind, Jenny and Caroline have put together some suggestions for upcycling and embellishing various items we may have in our wardrobes:
This doesn't need to be a big project. A small motif would liven up any t-shirt, jumper or blouse as shown in the photos. Of course if you need a much larger project don't forget to watch the up-cycling part of the Great British Sewing Bee - from beach towels to sleeping bags and more!
The photos below are from Sally who has embellished one shirt with beautiful purple flowers,
and upcycled another shirt with embroidery to cover up a scorch mark from an iron.
Upcycling or embellishing denim is very popular at the moment. The link below shows you how to embellish a pocket on a pair of jeans:
Pinterest has lots of ideas to upcycle and embellish your denim, such as:
A Guide for Hand Embroidery on Denim
This technique is easy to learn and a great way to update used clothing or customize new clothes. You can buy those pieces of embroidered clothing that you see on the runway and in stores, but you'll have more options and take more pride in the clothes you stitch yourself. Look out a pair of jeans or the denim jacket you haven't worn in a while, and then reach into your stash of embroidery threads to get started.
Not only is this a good way to create your own version of a popular style, but it's also a great way to fix up some clothes that need a bit of repair by embroidering over a stain, covering areas that are looking extra worn or stitching over a patched hole. You might add something bold to make a statement on your own clothes or embroider fun characters for your children. Whatever you choose, it's good to first know the basics of embroidering on denim.
One of the first challenges for stitching on denim fabric is getting the pattern onto the material. The fabric is too thick for tracing and often it's too dark to see the markings.
Several methods work well in this situation. One method uses white or yellow carbon transfer paper. This does work, but often the lines smudge or are difficult to see.
Another is the tracing paper method, which again will work but can be tricky, as the paper can tear as you work.
A third method uses a water soluble stabilizer, which can be soaked away when you've finished stitching. This is the method shown in the image. With a water-soluble stabilizer, you can print the pattern onto the material and adhere it onto the denim. If you want to embroider over areas where there is a seam, pay close attention to how the pattern lies over the seam to avoid creating a gap in the stitching where the fabric has varying layers.
The simple pattern in the sample stitching is a collection of triangles that fits on the back pocket of a pair of jeans.
Denim is a strong and thick fabric, so you should select an appropriate needle. Chenille needles in sizes 18 to 22 are good because they are both sharp and strong. The specific size you use should be a good fit for the thread you are using.
Most embroidery threads will work on denim, but it's best to choose those that are both durable and washable. If you find that the thread is looking more worn than usual, use shorter lengths of thread and coat them with thread conditioner.
Depending on the size of the embroidery you are doing, as well as the placement of it, you may or may not be able to use an embroidery hoop. The good news is that denim is stable enough that you can work without a hoop. When holding the denim and stitching without a hoop, be careful about how you grip the fabric so you avoid hand cramps and repetitive strain injury.
Embroidering on jeans, whether on a pocket or the leg, often requires working at different angles and with your hand at an open edge. Because of this, it's helpful to embroider by dipping the needle through the fabric, while keeping it on the front of the work.
If you are stitching near the front pockets of jeans, take care that you don't stitch through the actual pockets. Pull them out so they are out of your way while you work and check that they stay that way.
As you work, if you get to an area that is difficult to pull the needle through, try using a different size needle or working with a needle puller.
Because most embroidered denim items will be worn and laundered, be careful not to make stitches that are large and will snag easily.
Bold, beautiful florals are a popular design on jeans and denim jackets. You can work with pre-made floral embroidery patterns, using them just as they are or clipping and grouping them to create your own design. Flowers can be as simple as a scattering of lazy daisies or something more intricate.
Geometric designs, such as the satin-stitched triangles in the image above, are modern and often easier to work in less time. They are great for adding some embroidery to a corner area or along a hem.
Tattoo motifs, emblems, cute patterns, or favorite characters look good on jackets, similar to adding an embroidered patch. Or for something a little simpler and more subtle, stitch borders around front pockets of jeans or along the bottom hem of a jacket. The possibilities are endless!
