Denim Jacket Up Cycle

If there’s one thing I can’t get enough of, it’s denim. I have several denim jackets, but also denim sneakers, vests, puffers, and shirts. It’s difficult to pinpoint when I officially fell in love with denim, but I do remember thinking Brittney and Justin looked so cool on the red carpet in all denim.

Brittney and Justin at the 2001 American Music Awards

(image credit: MTV.com)

But I digress, the point is I love denim. I live in denim jackets nearly all year round. Each one has it’s own story to tell––my first concert, late summer bonfires, the dog park, and weekend brunch.

I’ve been working from home since mid March. On the days I’m not in the office, I find that I’ve been rotating through the same handful of athleisure looks or dresses. Whatever feels right for that day. Since, I’m not sure when I’ll be wearing actual clothes regularly, I decided it’s time to de litter my closet.

That brings me to the jacket that inspired this week’s project. It was gifted to me by someone who knows my fondness for denim. The wash was a little too light for me, which is why I hadn’t worn it. Mid to dark denim is my jam, so I decided added something those washes would make it more my style. I also love patches, and decided doing denim appliqué would be fun. Find me one person that doesn’t love denim on denim?

Materials:

• Denim item you want to rejuvenate

• Denim fabric

• Navy Thread

Now onto the project. I always try to use materials I already have on hand, and this project is no different. I utilized an old pair of jeans that were of course the exact wash I was after. The back jean pockets became my front jacket pockets. The oversized nature made the perfect exaggerated statement.

I cut the pockets off the jeans, and then pinned them onto the jacket to check for placement and styling.

I stitched the pockets to the jacket along the pocket edge using navy thread.

For the applique, I wanted the stars to have a playful, free hand look. The star template is hand drawn on printed paper. I created a few different sizes so the back of the jacket would have movement once I applied the stars.

Using my paper templates, I cut several stars from the pant legs of my old jeans.

For me, it was important to make sure I liked the star layout. I played with a couple layouts before pinning them down, and even tried it on in front the mirror. I always recommend trying on wearable items before fully sewing them. Initially all the stars were flipped to the right side of the denim (dark side), but it looked flat when I put the jacket on. So I decided to alternate stars between the right and wrong sides of the denim, which I love.

Then, using coordinating thread, I sewed down the stars.

Did I mention I didn’t buy anything for this project? That’s is a win in itself.

What’s in your closet? Anything you can make new again? Tell me about it in the comments!