3 Simple Ways to Easily Embellish a Denim Jacket Like a Pro

Easily Embellish A Denim Jacket

To Embellish a denim jacket is a great way to personalize a denim jacket to reflect your personal style and can be done with three simple methods, embroidery, piecework, and stonework.

If you want to try your hand at embellishing your own jacket, here are 3 simple techniques to try:

Embellish a Denim Jacket with Embroidery

Embroidery is a great way to personalize your jacket and there are different methods to create it. From a small and simple design on the jacket collar to a fully embroidered back piece, there is no limit with embroidery!  Designs can be embroidered directly on the jacket or created on a foundation fabric that is then sewn to the jacket.

If you choose the latter, make sure you begin by properly stabilizing the foundation fabric and using cut away stabilizers instead of tear away.  This minimizes the stress placed on a design when removing the stabilizers.

Embellish a Denim Jacket with Piecework

At a recent quilting convention, many visitors wore Embellish a denim jacket that were adorned with beautiful piecework.  Some designs were fancy and complex; others were simple and subdued.  No two designs were the same and each reflected the personal tastes of its owner.  The great thing about this option is that you can create piecework specifically for your jacket OR use existing leftover piecework from a quilting project.  Piecework also has another advantage-it allows sewists to try out different color schemes and fabrics prior to starting a larger project.

If this method sounds interesting to you and you aren’t sure how to begin, here’s a simple guide.
Begin by collecting all the fabrics you are considering for your piecework and determine which ones speak to you.  Do the fabrics blend and compliment one another?  If so, then you can select a piecework technique that speaks to you.

It’s best to select a piecework technique like bargello that has small pieces so you can fit it in the available space on your jacket.

Create your piecework according to the pattern directions and then attach it to a good quality muslin fabric or diaper flannel foundation.  The foundation fabric plays a dual role—one, a foundation for the piecework and two, a way to protect those seams from undue wear and tear from everyday use.    Make sure your “raw” piecework is large enough to cover the jacket area for which it was created.  Leave a ¼” to ½” seam allowance to turn under before attaching piecework.  Next, attach the piecework to the jacket with either a straight or satin stitch.

Embellish a Denim Jacket with Stonework

Higher end couture designer denim jackets often incorporate stonework esp. ones that are worn by celebrities and musicians.  Designers like Bob Mackie who design for both celebrities and mainstream audiences, often add rhinestones to jackets to accent embroidered designs and/or highlight appliqued elements.

Notice how the rhinestones add an extra layer of design detail on this Quacker Factory denim garment.

Stonework designs are often comprised of various shaped rhinestone and/or rhinestuds in a wide range of colors and stone shapes. Often, the degree of detail varies and jackets with more detail have a higher price tag.  If you are looking to add a small amount of sparkle, consider adding stonework that compliments a specific element or jacket area. Collars, cuffs, and jacket flaps are great places for ornamentation.

Hopefully these techniques will inspire you to try your hand at decorating a beloved denim jacket.  If your feeling adventurous, try using more than one technique.   Looking for more denim project ideas?  Then check out THIS article I wrote that demonstrates how to use embroidery to repair clothing.  Also, if you are looking for more ways to upcycle and Embellish a denim jacket clothing, check out this book by Amy Barickman.

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