If denim is as close to a second skin for you as it is for me, then embroidering your jeans is the needle and thread equivalent of getting inked up – only without the lifetime commitment. We’ve been seeing this word embroidered trend pop up everywhere and love being able to personalise your style in this way.
The timing couldn’t be more perfect, because Grana have just released a whole bunch of new colours and styles in their denim including black jeans, the mom jean and flares, all of which make the perfect canvas for a little word play. The cherry on top is their new A line skirt, the type of piece I’ll be wearing all summer! (psst grab 10% off using the code ‘apasxgrana’). To celebrate, today we’re showing you two methods to embroider your denim. Read on to see how.
Wearing: Grana denim A-line skirt in stone wash (left) and resin rinse wash (right).
There are two popular methods for embroidering words on your clothes, both similar in terms of end result but quite different in terms of how you go about it. We wanted to test out the two to decide the best of the best. Read on for more!
Machine Embroidery
You need
- Sewing machine
- A free-motion sewing machine foot (get one from a sewing store)
- Thread
- Scissors or thread clippers
How to
- Using a pen or fabric chalk, write or draw your design on the denim. We did it free hand in a cursive script, but you can do a simple block letter if that’s easier.
- Place the free-motion foot onto the machine.
- Set the machine to the smallest stitch length.
- Lower the feed dog (these are the teeth that would normally move the fabric forward but for free-motion we won’t be needing them because we want to move the fabric in all directions).
- Place the denim under the needle and trace the pen or chalk lines by directing the fabric with your hands.
- Depending on how thick you want the lines, you may need to go over it 2 to 3 times.
- Once you’re finished, clip off any lose threads.
Hand Embroidery
You need
- Hand needle
- Thread
- Scissors or thread clippers
How to
- Similar to the sewing machine method, write or draw on your denim.
- Thread your needle with two lengths of thread (this will allow you to create a thicker line).
- Using a basic running stitch, follow the outline of the writing or drawing.
- Knot the thread on the inside of the jeans to secure it each time you finish off a length of thread.
Wearing: Grana denim A-line skirt in resin rinse wash.
Our verdict?
If you’re on friendly terms with your sewing machine then the free-motion method is a lot faster and neater, and also gives a more regular stitch which makes it appear more professionally done. We loved it so much and got so carried away we even embroidered a couple of t-shirts along the way! That said though, hand sewing gives a more organic result and provided you have a couple of extra minutes to spare, it requires far less equipment and can be done relaxing on the couch with a glass of wine.
In either case, we found that when we were drawing on our designs, it was best to use a pen or chalk in a colour as close to the shade of denim as possible (without being invisible to the naked eye) so that it doesn’t show through. The most difficult part of it all was deciding what to write!
In case you’re wondering? ‘Geneva’ embroidered by machine, ‘Smile’ embroidered by hand, ‘AH’ initials embroidered by machine, ‘Ouch’ embroidered by hand, ‘Blue jean baby’ embroidered by machine. Not shown but the cactus design was embroidered by hand.
Wearing: Grana denim A-line skirt in stone wash.
How cute are these denim skirts? Definitely the type of thing you want to go twinning in. I love Annie’s little cacti! What would you put on your denim guys?
Photos by Bryant Lee.
This post is in collaboration with Grana.
Like this post? Pin it!
This looks so cute! Its such a great way to personalise your skirts or jeans! 🙂
w-o-w!
xo
http://www.cherry-mag.com
These are adorable!! I think the “ouch!” one is my favorite but I also love the idea of just embroidering your name on your fave jeans (very “mycalvins”) Thanks for sharing! I have always wondered how to machine embroider!
xx Annie
http://www.somethingswellblog.com/
such a cute idea!
http://hashtagliz.com
What a cute idea, so creative!
x
StephC
http://sstephcc.blogspot.com/
Love this idea! X
http://www.thoughtsinstyle.com/
Wow I’m loving this! I’m definitely going to try it out! x
http://jessicawoods.fr/blog/
Love this idea! Such a cute way to add a little personality to your denim. I live in my denim skirts so can’t wait to try this
Hannah x
http://Crafternooncabaretclub.com
This is a very good idea!
xoxo
http://www.donkeycool.es
Now no one will have an excuse to steal your jeans at the gym 😉
I LOVE THIS POST! I need to try the hand embroidery one asap! Mostly because I am terrible with a sewing machine. I love that you had two ways to do it!
http://www.themoptop.com
I must admit, when I saw the post title, I wasn’t too sure about the outcome. But seeing the photos = CUTE!
Berry Dakara Blog
This is such a fun DIY! I love the idea of embroidering denim! I’ll have to start personalizing some of denim pieces that need a little update. Thanks for sharing!
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
Great idea!! It looks amazing dear!!
Hugs,
Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}
Wouldn’t trust myself with a sewing machine with this one, I would be so afraid so do something wrong! Sewing by hand would be my choice, although it takes much longer!
https://www.makeandmess.com/
How did the machine embroider on top of the pocket without sewing right through and stitching the pocket shut? Otherwise, awesome. We used to embroider our jeans all the time in the 70s. But it was a bit more extreme.
Ca-uuuuuute!!! ???? And Girl, do I love those skirts!!
Quick question : if you’re machine sewing over a pocket, how do ensure that it doesn’t sew the whole way through the two layers, or is the denim so thick that it simply won’t sew through both layers?
Hi love! Sadly we found that when machine sewing it’s pretty tricky to not sew through the two layers, unless you can open up the pocket enough. xx
The stitching is very cute. Question: when you do the machine embroidery are you actually sewing the pocket shut? It seems as though it would be hard, if not impossible, to maneuver the needle within the pocket – much easier to stitch through it. Also, you could use tailor’s chalk or a special pencil to draw the words/pictures. The chalk disappears in the wash, although I think it would be a bit harder to use. There are two kinds of pencils; one disappears after being washed, and one disappears when heated (i.e. ironed).
(Also when I clicked on your links, they didn’t take me anywhere.)
This is so adorable!
xo Jessica
My Style Vita
Embroidary and Indian culture goes hand in hand but unfortunately I am terrible at it…
I might try this 🙂
http://www.thedailyweeklyblog.com
I looooooove this post! I’ve been a fan of hand embroidery for such a long time, and I’m so glad it’s coming into style. And, the way you guys did it in this post on the jeans….oh lawd, girl….it’s so perfect, so simple! I know I’ve got a few pairs of blues in my wardrobe that could use some cute little touches like this!
xo. holly erinn
happinessbrand.blogspot.com
Wow..I really love this personal touch on those jeans. You always have the most amazing & not-that-difficult diys out there. Please keep sharing such amazing diys <3
xoxo Eva | http://www.evakindles.com
I love the cacti design best!
– Seyra x
http://www.pavementsarerunways.com/
Such a brilliant idea, and a bit of embroidery seriously makes the items so much more personal..
This is so cool and stylish, I love it
>> http://joandcompanystyle.blogspot.pt/ <<
LOVE THIS DIY!! Ah embroidery is such a lovely way to customise denim pieces, but they always cost so much. Gonna have to do this to a pair of old jeans!
x
http://runningwhitehorses.blogspot.com
[…] Customize your favorite denim piece in a cinch. […]
Looks like a lot of work by machine but now that I have one, I so need to try this. I’m loving this small detail. Your DIY clothing projects are the best.
http://www.throughmyowneyes.com
This is so cute! I think i’d write my first name on a denim item 🙂 Sophie x
sophiehmstewart.com
Absolutely love this, can’t wait to try it!
This is the cutest idea ever, I can’t wait to try! So perfect for summer too.
xo
Phyllis
http://desgeulasse.com/
I know right?
This is such a cute idea!
Why blog this and then not respond to anyone???
Where did you get the cute T’s? Sorry if I missed the link!
[…] on denim pants and jackets right now. Our DIY friends at a pair and a spade show you how to do it here and if you’re interested in buying Asos has some cool […]
[…] Source: A pair & a spare […]
[…] DIY […]