Upcycle a Vintage Denim Jean Jacket

I discovered a jean jacket at a nearby thrift shop and immediately knew I wanted to transform it into something unique.

I began by attaching a vintage crochet bureau scarf to the back, right in the center panel. It was incredible that the crochet piece was the perfect size for that panel.

Later, I discovered a piece of linen with cross stitch, though I wasn't certain of its original purpose—perhaps it was a placemat. It featured cross stitch patterns on all four sides, shaped like triangles. I cut out two of these triangular sections and attached them to either side of the back center panel. I stitched them using a straight stitch, trimmed close to the stitches, and then zig-zagged around the edges once more.

For the front, I utilized some vintage Battenberg lace that I cut from a large bureau scarf. I didn't anticipate that attaching the pieces to the jacket would take so much time. I stitched around each edge with a straight stitch and followed every thread with either a straight stitch or a zig-zag stitch. It took hours! I can't imagine going through that process again!

I took off the buttons from the front panels and stitched fabric onto each panel. I needed to sew around the buttonholes and then cut them out again so the jacket could be buttoned up.

I removed the cuffs from the sleeves and used some of the fabric to create new ones. I trimmed the bottom of the jacket, leaving the edges unfinished, and attached crochet lace dyed blue to match the denim. The crochet circle on the back of the jacket was dyed as well.

I distressed the collar edge by trimming very close to it, allowing some threads to fray and create a distressed look.

To finish it up I sewed an oval piece of the fabric to the upper back, and my label "Seconds To Sew" to the bottom front.