Give a Gift
We can’t resist a denim jacket transformation, which is why we’re so excited for our readers to see this project from Baby Lock! Makeover a simple denim jacket from the thrift store with colorful scraps from your fabric stash. After selecting your scrappy color palette, you’ll learn how to turn simple fabric strips into an eye-catching back panel. This refashioning project is easy enough for beginner sewists and is a quick way to update your wardrobe without breaking the bank.
Skill Level: Beginner
Created By: Linda Pacini, Baby Lock Training and Education Team
Editor Note: This pattern is posted with permission of Baby Lock.
Materials:
- Baby Lock Accomplish 2 Machine
- Purchased jean jacket – Try a local thrift store!
- 1 1/2” wide scraps of your favorite fabric in a variety of lengths – This project doesn’t use much fabric!
- Madeira Size 12 Polyester or cotton decorative thread in color to match or contrast your fabric
- Klasse 80/12 Topstitching needle
- Traditional sewing supplies
GETTING CREATIVE:
First step: Read through all the instructions before you tackle your project! There are tips that will help you get the results you want.
Lay your jacket down on a flat surface and smooth it out. Resist the temptation to use a spray basting spray! This will only create issues when you try to stitch decorative thread on top of the fabric (ask me how I know!). I preferred the method of grabbing a piece of the fabric at a time and stitching it in place as I went. You’ll be stitching down one length of the jacket back and layering the fabric as you go.
Sewing Instructions:
Now that you understand the technique, let’s get started. Pay attention to your stash of fabric and try to introduce different hues of color and scale of prints to the mix.
- Starting at the top left of the jacket, lay the first strip down.
- Thread your machine with contrasting thread in both the bobbin and needle.
- Choose a stitch length of 3 mm. We want those stitches to show!
- Layer the fabric as you go down.
- After the first row down is stitched, walk the machine stitching across the bottom of the fabric, close to the bottom of the inset on your jacket.
- Add the second row and continue in this fashion until the entire back is covered.
- If you find that the fabric is shifting on you as you add additional rows, pause and begin adding additional rows of stitching to the fabrics that have already been sewn to the back.
- Once the back is completely covered, take the time to trim any fabric that extends from the defined back area so that you have a clearly contained back panel.
- Introduce a second or even a third color of decorative thread to keep the fabric in place. You’ll want to really stitch heavily so that you don’t lose any strips when it comes time to washing your jacket!
ADDITIONAL TIPS:
- If this is your first time using heavier thread in your Accomplish 2, be sure to follow the instructions for threading in your user’s manual.
- If you plan on using lots of heavier-weight thread on your machine, perhaps consider purchasing a second bobbin case for that purpose so you don’t have to spend a lot of time testing your stitching when you go back to regular sewing thread.
Enjoy!
