So I've got it in my head that I want some patchwork jeans ....
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.... and I know I'm only a couple of years or so behind the times but I needed to digest and get my head round them. If I had been ready for them a year ago, I would have had the H&M skinnys with the raw edge hems as sported by our lovely Frances above from Schoolrunstyle and Laura from WIT blog. But I was slow off the mark and when I decided that I was ready to take them on ... they had sold out. Soddus Lawus. Anyway, H&M are doing another pair this year but I wasn't sure about the placement of one of the patches (picky I know). And then MiH put out the slim Phoebes with the nineties patch. I liked them too but not the price.
So I decided to take matters in to my own hand and conjure up my own pair and at least I can put the patches exactly where I want them.
So I took a pair of Zara distressed jeans which I thought would be suitable for the project. I then went to the fabric odds and sods box (new use for a Matches box) and picked out some choice pieces of denim.
Basically, when George or Ben have totally trashed and outgrown a pair of their denim jeans, I cut them up and save the straight pieces of denim so I can patch up my own jeans or as I did last weekend, I patched up two pairs of George's old jeans to give them a little extended shelf life. And they look pretty cool consequently.
Then I cut some patches to the size I wanted. I forgot to do this but you should try to round off the corners to prevent any extra fraying.
I pinned them in to place and started sewing them on by hand.
And on the other leg ....
Note that I chose some dark denim to make sure the patches stood out against the jeans and to add a bit of interest, I also included a lighter patch where I basically used the reverse side of some denim.
Ta dah!
Anyway, not too shabby a job even if I do say so myself and I like how they give a plain outfit a little interesting lift.
Here's a few pairs I clocked along the way, some expensive, some a steal! And I may have finally given in to ordering a pair of the H&M ones just to check them out and see how annoying that annoyingly placed patch (the one near the crotch) actually is. And maybe the off black Zara ones too. All in the name of research of course ;o)
Good use for a Matches box
Basically, when George or Ben have totally trashed and outgrown a pair of their denim jeans, I cut them up and save the straight pieces of denim so I can patch up my own jeans or as I did last weekend, I patched up two pairs of George's old jeans to give them a little extended shelf life. And they look pretty cool consequently.
Then I cut some patches to the size I wanted. I forgot to do this but you should try to round off the corners to prevent any extra fraying.
Iron your patch before you cut to ensure that it is even.
I pinned them in to place and started sewing them on by hand.
And on the other leg ....
Try and pick some interesting pieces with a little distressing
Note that I chose some dark denim to make sure the patches stood out against the jeans and to add a bit of interest, I also included a lighter patch where I basically used the reverse side of some denim.
Ta dah!
Jigsaw silk shirt (old as the hills), H&M bag (ebay), Zara jeans (modified), H&M Courts
Anyway, not too shabby a job even if I do say so myself and I like how they give a plain outfit a little interesting lift.
Here's a few pairs I clocked along the way, some expensive, some a steal! And I may have finally given in to ordering a pair of the H&M ones just to check them out and see how annoying that annoyingly placed patch (the one near the crotch) actually is. And maybe the off black Zara ones too. All in the name of research of course ;o)
Ha ha! They're fab, Sue. What a great idea! I do love them but I've never really thought they were me. My favourites from last year were also the H&M ones - Frances looks amazing in hers! Look forward to seeing what you thinki f the current H&M ones. Lynne x
ReplyDeleteYes it took me so long to decide whether they had any staying power that I totally missed out on last years version. It will be interesting to see what I think of the current season ones - it will be a total love hate I think.
DeleteOh Sue you are clever...what a great idea, love them!! x
ReplyDeleteI did it partly to see how I felt about patchwork jeans and to see if they looked really strange on and they weren't as bad as I thought hence I thought I might investigate a couple of the high street ones. I don't think I could spend a lot of money on these but the H&M and Zara ones are at a good price point.
DeleteI am going to start calling you Susie Sew Sew, great idea and so perfectly done. Love the styling and the pictures. x
ReplyDeleteLOL. That's brilliant. You wouldn't believe how bad I was during textiles lessons at school - I was almost kicked out and almost scarred from the experience!
DeleteYour patchwork jeans actually looks better than those you linked to! Super impressed.
ReplyDeleteHa ha - not quite up to your new weaving project though - that looks quite hard!
DeleteLove your jeans Sue, you've done an amazing job - just brilliant!
ReplyDeleteJane xx
My Midlife Fashion
Thanks Jane - now I'm surprised you haven't got a pair yet? Or have you?
DeleteThese are better than the MiH ones -do you do commissions?! xx
ReplyDeleteI could start taking on commissions couldn't I? Now there's a thought ;o)
DeleteLove this, you are one clever clever lady!! They look fab on you xx
ReplyDeleteWell I think I was swayed a lot by how fab you always look in yours!
DeleteI love your tutorials! I am, however, extremely lazy and ordered the grey Zara skinnies with the blue patch over the weekend. I'm a lost cause!
ReplyDeleteBecky x
And have you received them and how did you get on?
DeleteWeeell, I did like them, although I am long in the body and they were a little low on the waist for my liking. I would have kept them, but I got distracted elsewhere by some sparkly harems and I couldn't justify both, so obvs I went for the totally impractical option!
DeleteBrilliant, would love to be able to do this, you've done such a great job. I love mine (from Karen Millen) but had slightly forgotten about them, going to find them now!
ReplyDeleteA x
I remember you getting the Karen Millen ones. Yes - dig them out now!
DeleteYou are not the only one late to the party with the patchwork jeans Sue! I've just ordered the H&M ones and for anyone else ordering I would say they come up small so my advice would be to size up, although I guess I could have ended up with a random small pair with H&M you never know! Love the way you have patched yours and you are so good to keep the denim to patch up things for your boys!! I bet they are the hippest kids around thanks to your DIY parchwork! xx
ReplyDeleteI always size up one size with H&M skinny jeans - they are so unforgiving on their sizing. I ordered the size I thought I should be and the next size too. Shame their online delivery always takes so long - I'm totally spoilt by the fab delivery times from Zara.
DeleteYou're not kidding. Even the next size was somewhat snug to the point of uncomfortable and I don't do uncomfortable. I think I will stick to doing my own. Both pairs that I received were also a little different from each other. One had a sewn on knee patch and and one had one without a sewn on patch but with a darker print instead to look like a patch. A little inconsistent. I have a few pairs lying around I can mess around - I'm after a dark grey pair with blue now like the Zara ones.
DeleteI'm obsessed with the MiH ones, I must have looked at them everyday for months now. I cant justify the price though. :( i picked up the regular ones in the sale, I remember you did too. I'm holding out for the sales I think. I like the zara ones, but they are very short. You've done a good job with your patches. :D
ReplyDeleteYou and your long legs. I tried the Zara ones but it's not so much the length which is the problem for me this time as I can alter them myself but the actual patch which comes too low down on the leg on me instead of sitting central with my knee. I thought it might be a potential problem and I was right. But yes, the Phoebes with the patch look good - why don't you put a temporary patch on the ones you have until you get tired of them?
Deleteperfect idea!!!
ReplyDeletewww.agoprime.it
Thank you - you do what you have to do sometimes!
Delete[clapping] I think yours looks the best out of the whole lot! Fab job very well done and surprisingly effective. I'm not sure I have the patience to do it for myself but I will try on the kids' pairs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you! I tried my best and this way at least, I have as many patches as I like and placed where I like. With the boys jeans, I sew the patch on underneath so you don't see it on top and sew along the split so you can't see where they join if you understand?
DeleteYou clever sausage you! The use of old jeans from the kids is GENIUS!
ReplyDeleteNow if only I liked patchwork jeans or could sew!
Ha ha Fiona! I am just a sheep and I thought I didn't like patchwork jeans originally but I do now. You might come round to them in another year.
DeleteI like yours a lot; well done Sue! I wouldn't even bother with the H&M version personally--I like the fade on your Zara pair better.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't even bother with the H&M ones if I wanted to - they are teeny and weeny and I would also lose the raw edge hems which were the main things selling the jeans to me as they were too long. Yup - some things you just have to do yourself!
DeleteYou clever clogs Sue! They look really good - I may have to have a go at this myself (if you don't mind!). I've got enough odds and ends hanging around - been as I seem to save mostly everything! Liking the nonchalant pose as well! x
ReplyDeleteWhy would I mind? If you have lots of bits hanging around - get to it. I might have a go on some grey jeans next seeing as how the Zara ones don't fit me. I think they are the perfect colour going in to autumn/winter. Don't forget to post your effort if you do it!
DeleteFantastic job. I have the H&M ones from last year but actually prefer yours. Plus, really pleased to hear people say they think they come up small, makes me feel a lot better about the unexpected 'snugness' :D
ReplyDeleteSo the ones from last year erred on the small side too? I thought it was just me being a total tubs.
DeleteI'm still lagging behind the crowd and just can't get my head around the patchwork jeans idea ... but no doubt I'll eventually get there! But wowser, I'm really impressed by your DIY job and LOVE the suggestion above that you should change your name to Susie Sew Sew, lol!!!
ReplyDeleteI'll wait for your Instagram shot of you in a changing room in a pair of patchwork jeans next year then? ;o)
DeleteCome on - you came round to rips!
Sue, I love these posts. Currently tackling curtains, patchwork jeans could be next!!
ReplyDeleteThey look amazing!
ReplyDeleteyou talented thing you. love the styling of it too and HOW AWESOME IS THAT BAG!!!
ReplyDeletesteph / absolutely-fuzzy.com