Transforming your old denim into something new is a cheap and effective way of utilizing unused items in your wardrobe. There are several unique and innovative ways of breathing new life into clothing.
These hacks are simple and easy to do but will also offer a great payoff.
A New Life for Old Items
Denim is an incredibly versatile fabric, and you can use it in various ways. Each of these can help you salvage what’s left of your old clothes to make sure they don’t rot away in your closet indefinitely.
Jackets and Vests
If you’re looking for the perfect item to complete a look, a jacket or vest could be just the thing. A denim vest for women can help pull different clothing items together to create a cohesive outfit.
Sometimes you want to add a unique touch to your wardrobe, and a great way to do this is with some creative DIY tricks.
Embroidery is a fun way to make your jackets and vests stand out from the crowd. Choose a pattern you like, pick the right thread, and get to work. It would help if you were reasonably competent with sewing for this one, so make sure your skills are up to scratch before you begin.
You can distress your denim by taking a sheet of sandpaper and rubbing it over areas you want to alter. The harder you rub the fabric, the more distressed it’ll become. Pick some strategic spots and go for it.
Cropped tops are a big fashion trend at the moment. Capitalize on it by taking the style to your jackets and vests. This will give you a whole new look to play around with. Take a pair of scissors and cut them to the desired length.
For a more rugged look, fray the hem and wear it with some distressed jeans or a skirt.
Acid washed denim has been popular since the 80s. The light color the acid creates makes the denim much more versatile. If you’d like to give it a try, make sure you use a bleach that isn’t too strong. You can dilute the strength by adding some water.
A good rule of thumb to follow is three parts of water to one part bleach. Tie up the fabric with some elastic to create a patterned look. It would help if you left the jacket or vest in the solution to soak for about an hour and a half. The longer you leave it in the mixture, the lighter the result.
You then want to leave the jacket or vest to dry. Watch as the color fades; it’s fascinating. Once your jacket or vest is no longer wet, you’ll want to give it a good wash. Then it’s ready to wear.
Style it with a colorful dress or bright pair of shoes and enjoy your new look.
read also: 20 DIY Shoe Storage Ideas for Weekend Craft Projects
Pants into Skirts
Take a pair of your old, baggy jeans you were going to throw away. Fold your jeans in half and measure where you’d like the skirt’s length to be. You’ll essentially have a pair of Bermuda shorts, which you can keep as-is for a fun tomboy look.
Now you can take a pair of scissors and cut along the pants’ inner hem to open them up. You need to take your seam ripper and unravel the inner stitching up to where the zipper ends.
Do the same for the back so that the fabric can overlap.
Then it’s time to cut off the old seam from your inner pant leg. Chances are it’s worn out and unsightly, so getting rid of it will give your skirt a much more tailored appearance.
Turn the fabric inside out and align the hem by pinning it in place. Look at the shape of the skirt and decide how narrow you want it to be. Use some chalk to outline where you’re going to be sewing to ensure it’s straight.
You’re now going to sew. Since denim skirts generally fit quite snugly, consider doing a double stitch to ensure it doesn’t split open when you sit or stretch your legs.
Once you’ve sewed everything, remove any excess fabric and turn the skirt back in on itself.
There you have it, a new item of clothing and a new outfit that you can use to complete any fashionable look you’d want to create. Go crazy and mix some items that you might not generally put together.
Accessories
If going all out with large denim pieces isn’t your thing, start small and create a few bold bracelets or chokers. You can use any part of denim to help you make these, but areas with seams and buttons work best.
For an interchangeable choker and bracelet, take the waistband from a pair of jeans and cut around the seam. Use your ripper to fray the edges for a well-worn look. Now you can measure around your neck to see how much you should cut off to make it fit.
Once you’ve cut the waistband to the desirable length, make a small incision so that you can push the button through. You can now get creative. Put some beads or adhesive gems around the choker for a unique design.
You can also take the same choker and wrap it around your wrist for a simple bracelet. You’re going to have to loop it around a few times, but then you’ll have a fantastic new accessory that’s incredibly versatile.
Another great accessory you could make is a clutch. Take an old pair of jeans and trace the shape you’d like with a piece of chalk. Cut along the lines, making sure to stay as straight as possible. Pin the fabric together to make sure it doesn’t shift. Get a zipper and sew it into the correct place.
Sew the loose pieces together and add a strap to the sides if you want one. Now you have a fun little clutch you can use for any occasion. Add some decorative trinkets to the outside to give your bag a bit of extra personality.
Getting crafty is a great way to spend an afternoon, and it gives you something new and exciting to incorporate into your wardrobe. From the acid wash to the stylish bracelet, these hacks help your style shine through.
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