Mardi Gras Crafting: Denim Jackets

Mardi Gras Crafting: Denim Jackets

My daughters and I love to do craft projects together, and we love Mardi Gras clothing and accessories. As Carnival season approaches, I borrowed an adorable idea from a good friend who created her own personalized denim jacket last year that I loved! We collected a few materials and got started!

Materials:

1. Denim jacket (second-hand stores are great for costume-building because it doesn’t matter if you ruin it!) I had an extra jean jacket for myself, but also found some for my daughters at Target and Old Navy.
2. Heavy Duty Fabric glue like E6000 or Gorilla Glue Clear Grip.
3. Metallic Fringe Trim in purple, green, and gold (We purchased from Jefferson Variety but there are other fabric websites like Trims by the Yard.) Make sure to measure across the back of each arm and the back area to get enough linear inches.
4. Gold trim – we got a wavy sequin band, but there are varying thicknesses and styles. (This finishes off the top of the fringe.)
5. Sequin Appliques in name letters, fleur de lis, stars, whatever you want! Jefferson Variety had a great assortment and we also ordered some online.
6. Paper plates are great craft stations to set down the glue in between uses and to test the thickness of the glue stream coming out.

To get started, lay the denim jacket face-down. Start by measuring how much fringe and gold trim you’ll need then cut to size. Using a small bead of glue (about the thickness of small drinking straw), line the seam of the jacket and then carefully place down the top band of the fringe. (Be careful not to put your fingers in the glue; we used the back end of a plastic medicine dropper to apply a little pressure to the fringe and keep fingers clean.)

Then repeat the glue bead across the top of the fringe and adhere the gold trim. After these dry, you can remove the thread that holds the fringe together and start applying appliques and other embellishments. My daughters had a great time planning out their accessories, then carefully applying them to the front and back of their denim jackets.

We love the look of the fringe and the movement it creates. I’m looking forward to dancing on the parade route with my kids this Mardi Gras season!

What creative DIY outfit ideas have you designed with your kids?