At a guild meeting a couple of months ago, one of my friends showed her fabulous vest that she recently got. It was made from an older denim jacket, where the sleeves were removed to make it a vest, and a lace panel was added to the back. The denim under the panel was cut away, leaving just the sheer embroidered lace. It was beautiful, and got me inspired to do something similar for the guild gift shop. I found a denim jacket at the thrift shop, and I had some white lace to play with, but not enough of any one thing to finish it. What I did have was this sweater with a bottom panel of gorgeous embroidery. I’ve had this piece in my closet for literally years with the idea of using that embroidery somewhere.
The sweater itself isn’t practical as you sit on the embroidery unless you flip it out of the way. I’ve only worn it twice with leggings, and both times it was a bit of a pain to deal with. Plus I think it made me look like an insect similar to dragonfly wings folded to the back.
I have a denim jacket that I rarely wear, but fits me very well as it is a petite size with shorter sleeves and torso length. It is a Bill Blass jacket I got in the 70s. (Side note – This was right around the time I was working in a department store and met the designer. He was a lovely gentleman, so refined and genteel. I wore his signature fragrance for years.) So, I thought I would begin with using that jacket and the embroidery together. I’ll keep this jacket. I began by carefully cutting the embroidered peplum from the sweater top. Then, I turned it upside down so the embroidered flowers would appear to grow from the bottom. I lay it on the back of the denim jacket to position the design in the space available.
I folded all the excess under to see what the embroidery would look like, so I could adjust it side to side or top to bottom.
It is pretty, but I was scared to cut it. I hung the jacket on a door to look at it for a few days, so I could be sure of the embroidery placement. Did I need to move it up or down, or left or right? Ultimately, it was left like this.
OK, now the hardest part, getting started. I pinned the top edge all the way across so I wouldn’t move or shift.
Then I topstitched it.
When that was done, I flipped up the embroidery, and (taking a deep breath) cut away the excess past a seam allowance.
Next was to smooth the piece down to the waistband and pin.
I smoothed the embroidery to the sides, and pinned those as well. Then, the edges past a seam allowance were trimmed away. No turning back now!
The excess from the bottom was also cut away.
The sides and bottom are topstitched to the jacket, removing the pins as I went.
Next was to carefully create the curve around the armscye. I kept the stitching just to the inside of the seam.
With the leftover pieces, I placed sections on the front yoke, adjusting the position to best utilize the embroidery that was left.
Once again, the edges were pinned, then trimmed to a small seam allowance, turned under and topstitched.
The last piece was positioned over the other front yoke, trimmed, turned and topstitched, working carefully around the collar.
Done. I decided not to cut away the denim from under this embroidery because it is a vintage designer jacket that fits me really well. If the embroidery is damaged, or if I decide to remove it at some point, the jacket will still be wearable.
Here’s the front. I hope I can wear it this week. I’m excited to have it done. I wanted to wear it last week to a lunch with friends, but the weather was too warm.
I’ll take it for show-and-tell at the guild area meeting this week. In the meantime, the second jacket is in progress which will be done with all white lace accents. I haven’t found the right thing for the back panel yet, so hopefully I can do that this week. Then, I have a third jacket to do for the shop. I bought some organza to do my own embroidery with water soluble stabilizer to perhaps embellish yet another one. I am only buying vintage jackets that fit me in case they don’t sell, but I hope this will become a trend for the year. I know I’ve been seeing more of them lately, and denim jackets have become a bit harder to find.
Have you embellished a jacket? Do you plan to?
From My Carolina Home 
You did a great job! That looks awesome!! Mary Anne P.S. I told my brother and a couple of friends about putting money outside NYE. Everybody did it! On New Year’s Day, my brother emailed this: “Squirrels took my money. Assholes!” I don’t know if he is messing with me or not! HA!
Oh my! That turned out lovely, Carole. I can certainly understand your trepidation on this one, but you really were careful in all the work. The lace detail is gorgeous, and what a fun story in its origin!
Pretty! I would also have had a hard time getting started, but the finished product is amazing
This turned out great Carole! I love the look of lace doilies appliqued onto denim, but I don’t wear denim jackets. Maybe a tote bag some day.
Well done, Carole. It’s beautiful. And I think you were smart to not cut away the denim — not only to preserve the designer jacket (now doubly designed) but it provide a nice “grounding” for the embroidered panel. Also, makes it more versatile for whatever you might wear under it. Love the front, too!
The jacket looks great, Carole. Nice job on the embroidery placement. I agree with you about not cutting away the denim. I’m anxious to see what you do to the ones for the shop.
Nice jacket!
I do not plan to alter anything. My niece painted a scene from SpongeBob on a jeans jacket and no longer wanted it. I’ve worn it once.
Very clever!!
I can understand the difficult decision to cut and wear but the result is gorgeous. I think leaving the denim intact was a great idea too. I have added applique to a jacket and still wear it. I have some lace doilies from my Grandmother I want to incorporate into something but still thinking.
How beautiful! That jacket is so creative! My friend is very talented in adding vintage items to jackets but I have not yet tried anything like this.
Great job! I have seen many embellished denim jackets lately. I have been looking for a plain one so I can transform it myself. I wore mine from the 70s until it literally fell apart. Great that you still have yours. Your photos inspire me to find a jacket and give it a try. Niki
Very pretty. The delicate embroidery is a nice contrast to the sturdy denim, and more useful as an accent here than it was on the sweater.
Hi Carole. This jacket turned out absolutely beautiful! I love it! And, I agree with you about the sweater…I can see how it was not an easy thing to wear. I like that you left the jacket intact underneath the embroidered pieces. The panels on the front yokes were a wonderful surprise and really make the jacket stand out! I have not altered a jacket, but have done a couple of sweatshirts a number of years ago.
Carole, it looks fabulous! You are the proud owner of a one-of-a-kind designer jacket! Great job!
Sew cute! Happy New Year and best wishes for a wonderful year!
Lee Ann
the front panels really make the look. a good learning visual with so many possibilities. have considered embroidering, but now…
Very nice..I can see this being A trend.
Very pretty addition to your jacket and if you decide one day that you have had enough of it, it is easy to remove and do something else with it. Some people have the some good ideas and can enhance their garments beautifully! I hope you get lots of compliments for your jacket.
Mary :))
very creative. I don’t think I have ever embellished a jacket – I used to add embroidery to bell bottom pants years and years ago
Nice job! I love seeing your creative juices working! That sweater was nice, it’s a shame you didnt’ get to wear it comfortably. Your energy and determination to complete so many projects is admirable. I need to work on mine. A good resolution for this year, although I don’t typically make them. Lisa
Wow, Carole! What fabulous upcycling of the embroidery! A true one-of-a-kind designer jacket.