Custom Jean Jacket Art with Denim Stitching

Who doesn’t love a jean jacket?! What’s even better is unique art created from a picture, stitched & pieced with denim. Make wearable Custom Jean Jacket Art with Denim Stitching with this tutorial; a masterpiece of recycled denim. For stunning results, the best technique is using custom jean jacket art, denim, and stitching creatively.

Create Stunning Pieced Denim Art with Fusible Web and Free-Motion Stitching

Old jeans and denim scraps aren’t just for patches and repairs—they can become gorgeous art pieces. By using fusible web and free motion embroidery, you can “paint” with denim, layering textures and tones to mimic an image or create a design from your inspiration. This textile collage method combines the bold texture of denim with painterly stitching lines for a truly one-of-a-kind result. Incorporating denim stitching into your custom image can enhance the uniqueness.

Choosing the centre back panel allows simple access and a large area without the thick double seams.

What You’ll Need:

• Various shades of denim scraps (old jeans are perfect!)
• Fusible web (e.g. Steam-a-Seam 2 or HeatnBond Lite)
• Jean Jacket or desired base fabric/garment
• Scissors or rotary cutter
• Iron and pressing cloth
• Sewing machine with free-motion foot
• Thread (contrasting or matching, depending on your design)
• Image or photo as your design reference (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Choose and Prepare Your Image

Pick a photo, sketch, or abstract idea you’d like to recreate in denim. If it’s a picture:

• Print or transform it to grayscale. I like to use Procreate on the ipad
• Trace key areas as simple blocks of light, medium, and dark.
• You can also simplify the image into abstract shapes.

I print a combined version as my key plan to look at and make sure it fits the panel of the jacket back.

The variety of denim tones act like the simplified values of a picture. Try to keep it simple.

Tape the picture to a lightbox or window to trace the shapes onto the fusible web paper. Remember to reverse it as it will be ironed onto the back of the denim pieces.

What is Fusible Web or Heat’N Bond?

Fusible web (Heat’n Bond, Wonder Under, Thermabond ) is a product that makes piecing and adhering shapes to fabric very easy. The adhesive layer has paper backing that can also be drawn on. The Fusible Web shape can be cut before or after ironing onto the fabric back. Beware that any direct iron onto the non-paper side will stick to the iron.

Once the paper is peeled off it is now able to be ironed onto your design. Often stitching (free-motion) is added for extra security and embellishment.

Drawing the shapes onto the Heat N Bond or Fusible web makes it easy to replicate shapes.

You can cut after ironing onto the fabric back or use the cut shape as a guide.

Assemble Your Composition

• Position your fused denim pieces onto your base fabric using your image as a guide.
• Once you’re happy with the layout, press the entire piece to bond the denim down.
• Use a pressing cloth and no steam for best results. Custom jean jacket art denim stitching can offer additional texture.

I purposely chose an image that was very forgiving, as fur is not perfect. The key areas like eyes, nose and mouth should capture the character with the small details. Feel free to add small ‘wisps’ as needed. The picture is really only a guide…

Tip: If you need some reference points drawn on the fabric you can poke holes through the printed picture to make dots that can be joined to draw the image (use a heat erasable pen)

Imagine a photo simplified into a few values to understand how to use the different colours of denim. Here’s a valuable hint from my days of being an illustrator; squint at your work to see how the values come together; that is similar to the artist’s hack to stand back at work and look from a distance.

Another resource is the use of posterizing and image to simple values. This is similar to ‘Paint-by-number’ paintings. A free online site can produce that type of image to work from.

The beauty of fusible web is that once it is one the back of fabric it becomes just like an iron-on patch.

The fusible web does hold quite well through washings but adding some edge stitching will reinforce it especially if it ever does go through a dryer cycle (heat may loosen the fusible web)

Free-Motion Stitch the Details

Time to bring it to life with free motion sewing! Most any basic sewing machine can be adjusted; no need for an embroidery machine. (See video)

• Set your machine to free-motion mode (lower the feed dogs and attach your darning or FMQ foot).
• Use a denim needle.
• Use thread colours to outline, shade, or sketch on top of your denim.
• Stitch around edges to secure pieces and add texture, movement, or contrast.
• You can even add cross-hatching, scribbles, or directional lines to mimic brush strokes.

Make sure the presser foot is lowered even though the feed dogs may be down. Sometimes you may need experiment with tension settings. Wearing some rubber gloves can also help to keep a grip on the fabric as you slide it around under the needle. If need be, practice on some scraps first. It is quite fun to ‘draw’ with a sewing machine! The stitch length will be determined by how much you move the fabric.

Tip: Use contrasting thread to highlight shapes, or blend in for a subtle effect. Get creative! If a small detail needs to be added some thread colour can help.

Finishing Touches

• Make there is adequate stitching to adhere pieces as washing make fray edges (beauty of denim)
• Optional: quilt the piece further or add hand-stitched details.
• Add a label or signature on the back!

Creative Variations

• Add printed denim or upcycled embroidery from pockets.
• Layer with sheer fabrics, lace or tulle for depth.
• Try raw edge applique for a more rugged look.
• Use colored thread to “paint” into the denim with stitches.

This technique is a fabulous way to upcycle old jeans and a basic denim jacket while tapping into your inner textile artist. Whether you’re capturing a landscape, portrait, abstract composition, or beloved Pet, pieced denim art offers depth, texture, and a modern take on traditional fabric art. Custom jean jacket art denim stitching merges tradition with innovation.

There’s so many options of where you can add your creativity! ‘Don’t say that you can’t sew; these roses on the Bowler Bag I made were such fun to stitch! Honestly, it’s like drawing with a sewing machine and foot pedal!

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