EMBELLISHING JEANS WITH FREE MOTION EMBROIDERY

EMBELLISHING JEANS WITH FREE MOTION EMBROIDERY

Embellishing Jeans with Free Motion Embroidery

An easy way to restyle or upcycle jeans is to add a touch of embroidery.  Free motion embroidery, also referred to as thread painting, is so easy and you don’t even need an embroidery machine for this technique.  Instead we are going to use free motion quilting / embroidery techniques.

Supplies Needed:

  • Jeans
  • Medium Weight Tear-away Stabilizer
  • Any type of thread (all-purpose, rayon, embroidery, silk, cotton)
  • Embroidery Hoop
  • Fabric marking pen or chalk
  • Open toe quilting foot

Layout the Design

Try on the jeans and determine where you want the embellishment to go.  A few things to keep in mind:

Don’t place the embroidery:

    • too close to the zipper
    • on top of thick seams
    • over thick pockets
    • on top of metal rivets
    • Too far down the leg (remember you need to get to the area to stitch J)

Good places for the embroidery:

  • Above the hemline
  • Along the back yoke (avoiding the center back seam)
  • Front hip
  • Waistband

Choose a hoop size that can easily fit into the jean pant leg and large enough for the design you have in mind.  Using tailors chalk, mark the placement for the design.

Draw a design with a fabric pen.

Hooping the Jeans

Slide the stabilizer into the jeans leg behind the design area.  My design is close to the front pocket, so I will pull the pocket lining out of the hooping area.

Align the smaller inside hoop on the outside of the jean leg with the larger hoop and stabilizer inside the jeans leg.

Push the hoop closed, encasing the jean fabric and stabilizer, and tighten the screw on the hoop.

Free Motion Embroidery

Set the sewing machine up for free motion quilting and slide the hoop under the presser foot, making sure to keep the back of the jean leg out of the way.  We only want the fabric in the hoop under the needle on the machine.

Start in the middle of the design and fill in the design with thread.

Here I have outlined the design first. Then fill in the petals by moving the machine back and forth with thread.  This is your design, so don’t worry about perfection, just have fun!  Continue to change colors of thread and paint away J

When you are all finished designing, remove the hoop and tear-a-way the stabilizer.

You can see here how my design falls just under the front pocket, perfect! Brush off the chalk marks and your new embellished jeans are ready to go!  Be sure to join me on the social side using #angelawolf ♥ I always love to see what you are working on.

Cheers,

<a target="_blank" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1130527&u=1586241&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack="><img src="https://static.shareasale.com/image/29190/728x90.gif" border="0" alt="Craftsy Unlimited FREE 7 day trial at Craftsy.com" /></a>

325: Learn to Sew an Envelops Purse Clutch with Angel Wolf

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Tutorial: Transform a Turtleneck into a Boatneck

Tutorial: Transform a Turtleneck into a Boatneck

Transform a Turtleneck into a Stylish Boatneck Top

Here is another recycle project for the turtlenecks in our closet and its easy – perfect for beginners! For this sewing tutorial I am using a turtleneck that has a design, but any tank top will work.  Click below for the video tutorial and here is a quick recap.

SUPPLIES:

  • SCISSORS
  • ½” WIDE ELASTIC
  • PINS
  • TAILORS CHALK OR FABRIC MARKING PEN / PENCIL
  • TURTLENECK

Start by marking the new boat neckline on the turtleneck. I am using a dress form and following the design on the turtleneck.  Another option is to measure from the center front and back neck down to the top of the newly desired neckline.

Add a ½” seam allowance and mark the new cutting line.  Start cutting higher than the new marking to test the fabric for fraying. 

If it is determined the fabric does not fray, then go ahead and cut along the last chalk marked line.  If the fabric does fray, leave an extra 1” of fabric from the chalk marked line until after you attach the elastic. 

Measure around the circumference around the new neckline.  Subtract 1” from that measurement and cut the elastic the same length.  Start from the center front and pin the elastic to the wrong side of the fabric.  Stretch the elastic as you pin so the elastic is a little shorter in length than the fabric.  Continue to pin all the way around the top.  When you get to the center back, cross the elastic ends and pin to secure.  To read the full blog, head over to my post as a Brother Expert Consultant on the Brother Stitching Sewcial or watch the video below.

I would love to see your creative designs, be sure to tag me if you post a photo #angelawolf #brothersews

Cheers,

I would love to see your creative designs, be sure to tag me if you post a photo #angelawolf #brothersews

Cheers,

<a target="_blank" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1130527&u=1586241&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack="><img src="https://static.shareasale.com/image/29190/728x90.gif" border="0" alt="Craftsy Unlimited FREE 7 day trial at Craftsy.com" /></a>

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TUTORIAL: HOW TO SEW A FLATLOCK STITCH ON THE SERGER

TUTORIAL: HOW TO SEW A FLATLOCK STITCH ON THE SERGER

Flatlock Stitching on a Serger

There are so many stitches we can do with our serger / overlock machines! You might recognize the flatlock stitch as seen on sportswear or a decorative stitch used to connect two pieces of fabric.  This stitch is fun and easy to do!

Supplies:

Serger Tension Settings

  • Left Needle: decrease (2)
  • Upper Looper: decrease (2 – 5)
  • Lower Looper increase (6 – 9)

Use the blind hem foot – alter the settings on the foot to stitch across half of the fabric.

 

Watch the It’s Sew Easy Episode below for details on where to position the fabric to create the flatlock stitch. Be sure to test the fabric and stitch before starting a project.  Depending on the thickness of the fabric, the blind hem foot will need to be adjusted to the right or left for a wider or narrower stitch.

The photo to the left shows where the stitch width was too narrow and slipped off the fabric, thus creating a hole.  The photo to the right looks much better.

Let me know when you try this stitch. I would love to see your creativity with this one 🙂

Cheers,

<a target="_blank" href="https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1130527&u=1586241&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack="><img src="https://static.shareasale.com/image/29190/728x90.gif" border="0" alt="Craftsy Unlimited FREE 7 day trial at Craftsy.com" /></a>

325: Learn to Sew an Envelops Purse Clutch with Angel Wolf

Envelope Pattern There are three download versions for the envelope pattern: Full Layout - Use this for projector printing or printing on a plotter.   ENVELOPE PURSE Letter Size Printing - Use this when printing letter size paper (8.5" x 11").  Print pages 1-8, the...

Quilted Grocery Bag Sewalong

Quilted Grocery Bag Sewalong  I am so excited to share this new grocery bag sewalong with you!  This is an easy project with opportunities to make is more advanced with embroidery and embellishing. Sewalong Schedule #372 - 9/7 - Sewalong Part 1 Supplies and Pattern...

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Ep. 305: Learn What is Planned for the Sew Fun Cruise in February 2024

Episode 305 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf  I know you have heard me say many time ... I am never going on a cruise!  Winn and I are on the water all the time, why would I want to go on a cruise?!?  Kelli Presley and Phyllis Batz will be joining me live to talk...

Ep. 304 Meet Jeff – Founder of CraftOptics

Episode 305 🧵 Behind the Scenes with Angela Wolf Featuring CraftOptics I am not sure about your, but if I am working in a low lit area or sewing beads onto a garment, I tend to lean forward and squint, this ending up with a terrible back ache!  CraftOptics has changed...

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DIY RESTYLE PROJECT: TURTLENECK MAKE OVER

DIY RESTYLE PROJECT: TURTLENECK MAKE OVER

 

I have a few turtlenecks that are made of beautiful fabrics, but I can’t stand the high, tight neckline. Time for another DIY recycle project to  makeover this sweater!  The look of see through fabric, embroidered, and embellished tulle are so trendy right now – why not add a touch of glamour 🙂   I have listed all the steps here and included a video below with the full tutorial.

Supplies:  Turtleneck, Tulle Fabric, Sewing Supplies including scissors, quilters ruler, tailors chalk, pins, universal or stretch thread (you can find the sewing supplies here on my amazon page)

 

 

The first thing we are going to do is cut off the sleeves and collar (my turtleneck has a raglan sleeve, but any sleeve style will work).  Cut inside of the sleeve seamline and underneath the collar.  Save the sleeves to use as a pattern.

Mark the back of the sweater: Trace the back for the sweater outline onto the tulle fabric from the underarm up.

Mark a line across the sweater where you want the sweater fabric to meet the tulle fabric.  Add a seam allowance and cut.  Align the sweater with the tulle fabric. add a seam allowance onto the tulle fabric and cut.  (the video below shows all these steps in detail).

With right sides together, pin the tulle fabric to the sweater fabric.

Click on the video below to watch the full tutorial or head over to my post as a Brother Expert Consultant on the Brother Stitching Sewcial. 

Are you going to try this cute restyle?  Leave a comment below and tell me what you think 🙂

Cheers,

Previous DIY Restyling, Recycling, and Makeover Blog Posts …

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I was so excited to see this new double sided top coverstitch machine by Brother!  I can think of so many applications for these decorative stitches including sportswear, decorative stitching, chainstitch, hemming knits, and so much more.  I am going to start a set of tutorials with the top cover stitch machine by showing you an in-depth look at threading the machine, including the top cover thread.  At first it might look intimidating, but threading is quite simple.

Start by taking you machine out of the box and remove the packaging tape.  You will find a dust cover, manual (always keep that handy), a plug with pedal attachment, accessory box, and DVD.  If you have more than one machine in your sewing studio here is a tip: place all machine parts in a decorative box and keep each box next to the coordinating machine.

If your machine already has the top coverstitch threaders attached it will look like the photo below.  If not, the video will show you how to remove and reattach these parts. You will need 5 spools of serger thread to thread the entire machine (I am going to use different colors so you can see a little better).  When threading the coverstitch machine, start with the looper which is the spool on the far right side.  You will then move onto threading the needles. For this demonstration I am using all three needles.

To read the full blog about threading the coverstitch machine, head over to my post as a Brother Expert Consultant on the Brother Stitching Sewcial.

TUTORIAL: HOW TO SEW A FLATLOCK STITCH ON THE SERGER

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UPCYCLE ? DESIGN A SKIRT WITH EMBROIDERY

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Embroidery is such a hot trend this spring!  Whether you are sewing a skirt from scratch or recycling one from the back of your closet, adding a touch of embroidery can create an entirely fresh look.  Keep in mind this would look great on a dress too ?

Supplies:

DESIGNER TIP: My skirt fabric is a linen blend, but the stabilizer I am using would work great on rayon, cotton sateen, denim, wool, and cotton blends.  JUST be careful with satin, silk blends, and velvet (to name a few).  You don’t want to damage the fabric from the iron when pressing on the fusible stabilizer; it’s best to test the stabilizer on a swatch of fabric first.

Determine the placement for the embroidery on the skirt.  I am going to focus on one side of the front of the skirt; marking that spot with a fabric pen or tailors chalk.   Press the embroidery stabilizer on the wrong side of the fabric covering the area to be embroidered.

Hoop the fabric and insert the hoop into the machine.  Choose an embroidery design or add a couple of designs onto the screen.  Scan the fabric in and move the embroidery design as needed. If you don’t have the scanning feature on your sewing machine, use an embroidery placement marker such as the snowman or other tools.

You can read the full blog, head over to my post as a Brother Expert Consultant on the Brother Stitching Sewcial. Be sure to share photos of embellished Kate skirt #angelawolf #brothersews

Cheers,

 

<a target="_blank" href="http://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1130527&u=1586241&m=29190&urllink=&afftrack="><img src="https://static.shareasale.com/image/29190/728x90.gif" border="0" alt="Craftsy Unlimited FREE 7 day trial at Craftsy.com" /></a>
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read more
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The Bella Knit Top Another easy pattern to sew with a neckline twist!  I designed the Bella Knit Top sewing pattern to be sewn with knits for comfort and coordinate with A Touch of Couture Lace Embroidery Collection, Regardless if you add embroidery, this knit top is...

read more

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