Equipment I used, embroidery threads of various colours, scissors, a large needle as embroidery thread is quite thick even when split, a pen to draw on your designs, I recommend black ink on denim and pins if you need to straighten out the material.


Step one draw on your design, I decided to do mine around the pockets. I started out using iron on transfers but these were hopeless on the denim as the transfers are blue so you just can't see them. As you can see above I didn't do anything fancy just drew on an easy designs.


It's then a case of filling in your design, I definitely wouldn't call myself an expert at embroidery my stitching is not the neatest by a long mile but I'm calling it part of the character of the jeans. In order to embroider you need to unwind your embroidery thread which is doubled over and separate it into one thick strand to sew with, this still includes three regular threads but almost woven into one, this is where embroidery thread is different to regular cotton, I am told. You can sew with it even thicker should you desire but I think you would find it difficult to get it through the denim in the shape you desire if it were any thicker. From there I have just sew from left to right creating a 'line' filling in each petal.


The finished article, not the most symmetrical or intricate. I'm not sure whether I'm just very slow at sewing but be warned this small bit of embroidery that I've done on these jeans took me forever and left my fingers quite tender from pushing the needle through the denim.


These are the patches i added in to cover up the rips/ holes in the jeans, I just cut up another pair of old jeans I had lying around to attach over the top of the holes which I had darned. As you can see again, I didn't apply these neatly trying to make it look like the patches were meant to be there by doing big messy stitching in a bright colour to attach the patches.


To make the patches above look more like they were part of the design I also added a patch to the back pocket of the jeans, along with an embroidered 'sun' it is somewhat of an abstract sun I would say, not the most realistic. I just made up the designs as I was going.


I also did more flowers a little bit further down on the other leg and another leaf design. Be careful not to make the rookie error I made the first time round by stitching through both sides of the jeans, make sure to separate the sides by putting your hand through the leg.




I also embroidered the words 'sail away' and a little sail boat on the cuff on the back of the legs inspired by a pair of jeans I had seen in Zara but hadn't been able to get my hands on which said 'love always' on the bottom. Although small I really like this little detail. I am by no means an accomplished crafter and found this reasonably easy to do and fun. I found myself sat in the sun sewing or sat down in front of the TV sewing. I know, I know I am more like a 70 year old than an 18 year old but I'm sure your granny doesn't have cool jeans like these.