Denim embellishing is a hot trend that can get quite expensive in the stores. DIY expert Denise Wild shows us four techniques that are simple to do at home that will make your jeans runway worthy for a fraction of the cost!

1. Glue it

Materials

• Fray Stop
• Fabric glue
• Fabric scissors
• Patterned fabric of your choice (try a tribal or Peruvian print for an ethnic statement)

Instructions

1. Cut the fabric into the desired shape.
2. Run some Fray Stop over the raw edges of the fabric to prevent them from fraying.
3. Glue the fabric onto your denim and let dry for 24 hours.

TIP: Wash the fabric before gluing it to your denim to pre-shrink and avoid the fabric shrinking on the jeans.

2. Iron it

Materials

• Assorted iron-on patches
• Rowenta Steam Force iron
• Pressing cloth

Instructions

1. Turn your iron onto a high-heat setting.
2. Lay the patches onto your denim right-side-up in the desired layout.
3. Place the pressing cloth over the patches.
4. Press your iron onto the pressing cloth over the patches, and hold it in one place for 15-30 seconds. Repeat until the patches are secured on the denim.
5. Let the patches cool.

3. Punch it

Materials

• Gem tool
• Gems

Instructions

1. Determine the layout of the gems on your denim.
2. Load the gems in the gem tool according to instructions.
3. Punch the gems in place.

4. Sew it

Materials

• 2 pairs of jeans
• White lace trim (about 1” wide) (enough for three strips around one leg)
• Fabric scissors
• Tailor’s pins
• Threaded sewing machine

Instructions