- Denim Fashion
- The Best Apparel Value for Your Dollar
- Day-To-Evening Denim Guide
- White Hot
- Denim DIY
- Decorative Denim It's Not Just for Your Wardrobe Anymore
- Do-It-Yourself Denim Duds
- How to Wear Boyfriend Jeans
- Uncommon Threads
- Behind the Seams
- Denim Insulation
- Repurposed Denim
- Denim Resources & References
- Denim “Duhs” For Every BodyType
- Jean Finishes
- Denim Maintenance
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Is it cold and wet where you are? Tired of TV and reorganizing your sock drawer?
Put those idle post-holiday hands to work making over a made-to-order pair of denim jeans!
Seriously, when the weather
outside is frightful, you can delight
yourself by transforming your favoritedenim
jeans into your most-favorite denim jeans. We''ve corralled a posse of resources chock-a-block
full of interesting things to do to denim clothing, be it denim skirts, denim purse or, especially, denim jeans..
First up, the Cadillac of denim clothing finishing kits from "The Denim Design Lab."
We offered their book as prize in our Fourth of July Sweepstakes and fell in
love with what was inside. Now, they have actual tool kits with serious hardware
for denim garments, as you can see on the Denim Design Lab website. There are three different
finish kits available: Gold Miner, Mechanic and Painter. Better hurry! With only
200 of each kit made, they are sure to go quickly! (But word has it when these
run out, DDL will just create more, different finishing kits).
Annika Sanders and Kerry Seager have put together a variety of only moderately
difficult projects that reinvent old denim clothes into completely new fashions. Frankly, at less than $12.00, this book is a steal!
Rounding out our list of things to buy is this book by Barb Chauncey. Ideal
for the new or non-sew-er, this book features creative denim-transforming ideas
for wardrobe and home items.
How about some ideas that don't cost anything? Below we have provided basic instructions on how to do some easy, presto-change-o tricks to your denim clothes.
Grate Details
If all your denim jeans look mostly alike, here are a few ideas to individually detail them.
You can make a good pair of denim jeans, "grate," by distressing the bottom hems with a handheld cheese grater. Start with a light pressure and slow movements until you see the depth of the distressing. When you achieve the desired look, stop.
Hem and Awe
Using a pair of fabric scissors, cut a slit or full-out triangle into the bottom of your denim jeans. You can do it on the inside of the leg, the outside or both. This is a good way to convert a pair of jeans into a boot-cut in seconds flat. You can also add additional flair by sewing (or using fabric glue) colored or printed fabric to fill in the slit(s).
Below the Belt
Vintage looks don't necessary come with age. For a deconstructed, old-timey looking pair of jeans, remove the waistband. The best approach is to use a seam-ripper. Seam-rip the belt loops first, or you'll make yourself crazy!
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