How to Decorate Jeans

Last Updated: October 8, 2020 References

Denim jeans are a classic and versatile wardrobe staple. If your beloved old jeans are starting to look worn out—or if you have a brand new pair of jeans that could use a little extra flare—try giving them new life with some simple decorating techniques. Spice up your jeans with some fabric paint or markers, add gems or studs, or embellish them with some fun fabric.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Painting Your Jeans

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Decorate your jeans with fabric markers. Fabric markers draw like ordinary markers, but are made with permanent inks that are designed not to wash out. Fabric markers are likely to work best on white or light-colored denims, although some are designed to show up on darker fabrics.
- Try drawing or writing free-hand designs on your jeans. You may wish to sketch in your designs with pencil before going over them with fabric markers.
- You can use lace to create a delicate marker pattern on your jeans. Just pin the lace to the part of the jeans you’d like to decorate, color over the part of the pattern you’d like to transfer with a fabric marker, and remove the lace when you’re done.^{[1]
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2
Paint your jeans freehand. You can use fabric paint to create your own designs. You may wish to lightly sketch in your design with pencil before starting to paint. Keep your painting surface completely flat and prevent bleed-through by inserting a piece of cardboard into the part of your jeans that you’d like to decorate.
- Fabric paints come in a variety of textures and application types. Some come in tubes with applicator tips and are designed to be applied in a controlled line, while others are designed to be brushed or sprayed on. Keep in mind what sort of design you would like to do and select an appropriate paint for the job.
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3
Use stencils to add designs with fabric paint or markers. You can purchase stencils to use or make your own. Stenciling usually works best with fabric paint that can be brushed on or applied as a spray. If you are using spray paint, make sure to protect the area around the stencil with a sheet of cloth or plastic so that you don’t get paint where you don’t want it. For brush-on paint, try using a foam brush with a small amount of paint on it so that your stencil designs don’t become runny or smudged.^{[2]
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Add designs or patterns with a stamp. You can use pre-made rubber stamps or make your own stamp with a small block printing kit. You can even use ordinary household objects to stamp simple shapes and patterns. For example, use the flat end of a pencil eraser dipped in fabric paint to create polka dots.^{[3]
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Use masking tape and paint to create geometric designs. Put strips of masking tape on your jeans to create the desired pattern, and paint over the exposed areas of the jeans. The tape will help you achieve perfect straight lines and crisp edges.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Using Studs, Sequins, or Gems

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Sew on some buttons, sequins, or gems. You can find decorative sew-on embellishments at any craft store. Pick a spot on your jeans to sew on a few pretty buttons, pearls, or sequins, or add a scattering all over. Focus on pockets, cuffs, or the fronts of the thighs.^{[5]
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- If you wish to add any embellishments to the back of your jeans, take care not to position them in a way that will make sitting uncomfortable. For example, some flat sequins or gems on your back pockets are probably fine, but raised embellishments on the backs of your thighs might create discomfort.
2
Add decorative studs. Most studs can be added to fabric by hand. Just push them through the fabric and fold down the points.^{[6]
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Research source} If you prefer, you can use a bedazzler to mechanically add studs and gems to your jeans.
- Add your studs in a pattern, focus on a pocket, or place them around hems or along seams.
- You may wish to mark in the desired placement of your studs with a pencil or marker before you start studding.
3
Attach embellishments with fabric glue. Use a specialized glue like Aleene’s Jewel-It or Beacon Gem-Tac to glue on gems and rhinestones. This technique works best with flat-backed gems. Use tweezers or a jewel-setting tool to help you grip and place the gems and avoid getting glue on your fingers.^{[7]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Adding Fabric Embellishments to Your Jeans

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Sew patches onto your jeans. This is a classic method for decorating or repairing jeans. You can cut patches out of your older jeans or buy some colorful fabric from a craft store for the purpose. Use a sewing machine or sew on your patches by hand.
- Sew on several patches at various locations for a classic patchwork look.^{[8]
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- Try using the patch material over one or both of your back pockets.
- If you’d rather not sew, you can use prefabricated iron-on patches, which come in a variety of fun designs.
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Add lace to your jeans. Lace can be added to cuffs, used as a decorative embellishment on pockets, or even set into distressed jeans so that it peeks through holes in the fabric.^{[9]
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Research source} Pin the lace to the desired spot on your jeans and sew it on by hand or with a sewing machine.
3
Create decorative cuffs with colorful fabric. Turn your jeans inside out and place a wide loop of fabric around the bottom of each leg, with about a centimeter (.4 in) of the fabric turned over the outside edge of your jean cuff. Pin the loops in place and sew them to your jeans. Turn your jeans right-side out and roll up the cuffs to show the decorative fabric.^{[10]
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Community Q&A

Question

I accidentally stained black jeans, what can I do?

Community Answer

If you can't wash out the stain, you may be able to cover it up by re-dying your jeans. Use a dye like Rit in the desired color, and follow the package directions to achieve an all-over dye so that the dyed area does not stand out from the rest of the jeans.
Question

Can I just use acrylic paint?

Community Answer

Acrylic paint is not very durable, it's likely to come off in the wash or just from your movement. Ironing would ruin it as well. I would stick to fabric paint because it's designed to withstand all of this.