Upcycling a Jean Jacket
Finding well-fitting unique clothing pieces for a good price can be a challenge. The pandemic has definitely boosted online shopping, but the quality of the clothes can be hard to determine without seeing them in person. Another factor to consider is responsible fashion. This is a movement to make fashion cleaner, safer, and more ethical. Demand drives supply, so as a consumer I feel the need to make better decisions when it comes to purchasing. One way we can help is to purchase quality pieces that are ethically made, but that is where things can get a bit pricey. A small capsule wardrobe just doesn’t seem appealing to me either because I love to experiment with fashion. Being a very theatrical person and a performer, I like a lil’ flare to my clothes. I have become more aware of the styles I gravitate toward and have come to the conclusion that if I can’t find it, I will have to create the styles I am looking for myself. Since I am not a seamstress, but do have some basic sewing skills and some family members who are willing to help, I have been exploring repurposing and restyling vintage and thrift store clothing. Today I am sharing with you an upcycled jean jacket.
This jacket started out as a basic cropped jean jacket that I found at a thrift store. I carefully cut out some of the panels. (This is a bit tricky because when you cut the jacket it starts to lose its structure.) Then, I used vintage lace curtain panels that I already owned to fill in the holes, but you can purchase any fabric you want for this at your local craft store. Carefully pin your fabric to the inside of the jacket, then you can sew it in place. Moreover, we hand sewed the lace on to the jacket because the fabric was so delicate. This part takes some patience, but the end result is worth it. As a final touch, we hand sewed on sequin embellishments that were found at a yard sale. Thanks for reading, and I hope this inspires you to try upcycled fashion.
~ GPF
