The blog is moving!

So I told you last time that I was going to re-do some things on the blog, right? Well, I also decided to re-name it, so I'm moving the whole thing over to a new site. The new URL is http://theupcycledwardrobe.blogspot.com/  I have a new tutorial for you on how to make a faux undershirt on a low cut shirt.

I decided I needed to refresh and switch name mostly because when I started blogging, I didn't really have a clear idea about what I wanted to blog on. I thought I might be blogging more on how I do bags and wallets with a few clothing posts on the side, but I never got around to doing a single non-clothing post! My sewing tastes were not what I thought, and my focus has been more on re-making clothes. I felt that I needed to shed the old name and focus more on what I actually blog about.

Anyway, In a few weeks, I will try to figure out how to automatically re-direct you to the new site, but for now, you'll have to click on the link. Please feel free to leave a comment on the new blog. I would love to hear what you think!

Patching Jeans

Today, I wanted to show you how I patch jeans. It's really simple, but maybe not the first way you would think to do it.

To start, you will need a pair of jeans in need of patching, a scrap of material (preferably jean) and matching thread.

Step 1: The better your scrap matches your jean, the less it will be seen. Cut your scrap of jean a little large than the hole you want to patch. It's better to cut it too large than too small; we can cut off the extra later.

Step 2: Slide the patch inside the pants leg

By feel, position it behind the hole, then pin close to the corners. It's really important that you pin close to the edge, otherwise the patch could fold over as you sew.

Step 3: Pull the jean leg over your sewing machine arm, being sure that you will only sew one layer. (This can take some wrangling.)

Using the straight stitch, sew back and forth over the patch, moving sideways with each pass. I usually move from right to left. (The second picture below should help you visualize)

Turn your piece, and sew perpendicular to your first stitches. You can pull out the pins as you tack down the corners.

 This is what the front should look like. The camera makes the thread stand out, so the stitching probably won't be so noticeable. Also, a thread tip; if you don't have matching, darker will hide better than lighter.

Step 4: Turn the pants inside out

 

Trim the extra edges off of the patch, but don't trim too close; you don't want to cut a new hole in your jeans! I used pinking shears to keep it from fraying more, but regular shears work fine

here's what your back should look like:

And, that's pretty much it! (The bubble effect isn't noticeable when you wear it, and goes away when you wash , or iron it)

This works pretty much anywhere on your jeans!

So don't throw out your favorite jeans; make them wearable again!

(Although your mom might keep telling you it will only last so long...)

 One more quick tip: if it's really worn out, and you KNOW it's going to get a hole soon, you might want to patch it before it does, since it will be less noticeable.

Sorry for the short post today, but I'm hoping to get ready for some blog changes. I've been thinking a lot about re-doing the feel of the blog, since the cute little animals just don't seem to go with my blogging goals any more. So stay tuned for that!