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Thinking of a DIY

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I went down the rabbit hole on Farfetch after UmmLila posted her WIW with those amazing side-stripe jeans. I am quite sure V Beckham's cuts won't work for my body (everything I've seen looks quite narrow in the hip and thigh), but I found these, which I do like. But...I'm not into spending $300 on them, and I have no idea about this brand and how they might fit. I'm thinking of taking one of my older pairs of jeans, releasing the hems, slitting the seam near the hem for the vent effect, and maybe trying some sort of subtle stripe effect down the sides. Any thoughts or hints from any DIY veterans?

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Ssheena Jolly Painted Stripe Jeans - Farfetch

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17 replies

Latest reply was from elpgal

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Coincidentally, I just pinned this information about bleaching shirts. The method uses a stencil made from freezer paper which you can iron on to the fabric. http://www.instructables.com/i.....m-designs/ (even if you don't want to do it, check out the shirts--they are fantastic!)

Also, I think it might look cool to run a line of stitching along the edges of the bleached/painted stripe.

Sara L.

Veteran

I like the idea and I think the hem treatment sounds easy enough. The white stripe might be more difficult.

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

I think you might be able to use bleach and a Q-tip, or perhaps white fabric paint. Seems very doable.

karen13

Veteran

Try the Clorox bleach pens - they have a thick consistency and are more likely to stay put and give you a crisp line. That combined with the iron on freezer paper might give you the cleanest look. Or fabric paint.

I have had a similar thought about putting jacquard braid down the outside seam of a pair, but haven't found the right braid and jeans to try. Stitching will be a bit tricky on the chain....

JAileen

Veteran

A few years ago I became enthralled with this sweater, in the knitting book Rowan Denim People. I needed to first knit the sweater and then bleach it. I wasn't sure about the bleach technique so I thought I would practice before I knit the sweater. I bought a navy cotton sweater at the thrift store. I laid it out on the back lawn and applied bleach to it. It turned out beautifully with interesting 3D bubbles just like on this sweater.
Everytime I wore it people asked me where I bought it. It was interesting that the bleached areas were tan just like this sweater. I wore it for several years, and then redonated it to the thrift store. I never knit this sweater! Now that I think about it, I might try it again. One thing, though, denim that isn't all cotton might bleach unevenly. You might want to try it on a test piece. Karen's suggestion of a bleach pen is a good idea.

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Joy

Veteran

I would be tempted to sew a piece of white grosgrain ribbon of a width you you like down the side of your jeans. Check to be sure it is washable. I think most are and made so they do not fray

cindysmith

Veteran

I can't lie. I now want to find a pair of jeans to do this to. Please share the results when you're done!

RobinF

Veteran

How fun! I think with the bleach, it would be hard to control so you would have to be OK if it doesn't turn out perfectly. Or use ribbon as Joy suggested.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks for the ideas! In the inspiration photo, the bleach line is not perfect, so I think I'd be fine with an irregular line. I also don't think I'd need it to be stark white -- in fact, I wonder if it might be more to my taste if the line was dark. Hmm. But how to make a dark line along the seam. Sharpie? I guess I could use fabric paint? I've never tried it before, but it could be fun -- maybe a metallic like gunmetal could have a subtle but interesting effect.

I think it would be fun to do a jacquard trim down the side seams, but I don't think I have the skills -- I have a sewing machine but I've never used it.

Janet, that sweater is amazing! Is that the one you bleached, or the inspiration photo? Either way, I love it.

Emily, those shirts are so fun! That is inspiring. Giving me ideas for other uses for my photos, too.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

OK, I just spent a few minutes googling paint pen treatments on denim, and I'm getting way too many ideas. How fun would it be to do some sort of design down the side seams of the jeans? Maybe in black and silver...

Bijou

Veteran

Now I wish I was an artist.... the black and silver side seam sounds very cool and totally unique.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

I like the grosgrain idea a little better for a tux effect. However I am a person who bought a sewing machine a couple years ago, managed to break it in 2 days, sent it back to Amazon and gave up on all sewing activity thereafter (except hand sewing up overly deep v necks.)

JAileen

Veteran

Janet, that was my inspiration. I wish I had taken a picture of my DIY.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

I love the inspiration and will be full of admiration if you DIY it!

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

What a great post ,such creativity. Bleaching a sweater or jeans off to bed dreaming of both....

tulle

Veteran

I love all this, and will steal a bunch of ideas (the bleached navy sweater--amazing!) so I hope you will go DIY wild with your jeans. Black and silver sounds most like you, I think. How about a long line of "tracks"--made by alternating short horizontal lines of black and silver? I saw something like this done in gold metallic somewhere, and it was an eyecatching, dramatic rocker look.

elpgal

Veteran

Janet, I am eager to see what you come up with. I like the idea to experiment with a satiny ribbon.
That's a pretty neat sweater.