Teen Scene: Pocket Change
		C A R O L   Z E N T G R A F
		Amaze your friends with your fashion sense and creativity. Transform jean pockets into works of art.
		Introduction Pocket Picks Sources

Introduction		Jeans are a wardrobe basic, but that doesn't mean they have to be just jeans. Fashion magazines and your favorite stores are filled with embellished jeans that sometimes sell for triple the price of their plain-Jane counterparts. There's no need to spend your hard-earned money on designer jeans when you can be the designer. Rummage through your mom's scrap bag or take a quick trip to the fabric store and you're set to embellish. Look for beaded trims, fringe, ribbon, appliqués, buttons, scraps of fun fabric prints and so on. If it can be sewn, glued, fused or painted onto fabric, it has potential. Following are a few ideas to get you started.

Pocket Picks

When is a pocket not just a pocket? When it's the surface for your artistic expression. If you plan to shop for the jeans you're going to decorate, keep your design ideas in mind as you observe different pocket styles. Large, plain pockets are perfect for any technique; pockets with stitching running across them may not work for an appliqué, but may provide a good design for painted accents. Pockets that reveal a lighter color on the inside are ideal for removing and turning inside out.

Stitch beaded trim tape to decorative tape wrong side.

On the edge. The possibilities for trimming a pocket upper edge are endless. An array of beaded and fabric fringes, colorful ribbons, rickracks and other decorative trims are available, and it's fun to create your own combination of two or more. Layer fringe and ribbon, different fringe lengths, or beaded and fabric trims. To create the trim on the featured purple jeans, double a beaded trim length to equal each pocket upper width and stitch the trim tapes together. Cut a decorative tape length slightly longer than each pocket upper width and turn the ends under to equal the pocket width. Note: If using trim that doesn't fray, it isn't necessary to turn the ends under. Stitch the beaded trim tape to the decorative tape wrong side, slightly above the lower edge . Slipstitch the decorative tape upper and side edges to the pocket.

Paint pointers. If you like to paint, pockets are a great palette for your creativity. You can stencil, stamp, use an iron-on transfer or freehand a design. Just make certain the paint or ink selected is intended for fabric. For a quick-and-easy upper edge finish on freehand-painted heart pockets, use permanent fabric glue to secure fringe length ends under, then adhere the fringe header (the flat part the fringe attaches to) to the pockets. Appliqué magic. There are several techniques for attaching appliqués to pockets. The easiest, and the one used on the flower-embellished pocket, is using iron-on embroidered appliqués. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and use a press cloth and iron to securely fuse them in place. Another method is to cut out an appliqué and use fusible transfer web to adhere it to the pockets, as was done to create the daisy print pocket "flap." Use a good quality fusible web that won't weaken when it's washed. For extra security, finish the appliqué edges with paint, or remove the pockets from the jeans and satin stitch the appliqué edges.

Stitch along side and lower outer edges; stitch again 1/4" inside stitching. Stitch ribbon along pocket upper edge.

Sew on. Turn on the sewing machine and have fun stitching clever pockets. To create the reversed pockets featured on the shorts, use a seam ripper to carefully remove the pockets from the jeans, cutting the stitching only and not the fabric. Wrong side up, stitch each pocket seam allowance close to the side and lower edges. Stitch again 1/4" inside the first stitching, or closer if necessary to keep the stitching on the seam allowance . Wash the pockets once or twice in a washing machine set on high agitation until the seam allowance unravels to the stitching; machine dry. Stitch ribbon or other trim across the pocket wrong side upper edges, wrapping the trim ends around the pocket edges . Use double-sided basting tape to reposition the pockets wrong-side-up on the jeans. Stitch in place along the outer stitching lines. Finishing touches. Stitch or glue finishing touches such as buttons and bows to your embellished pockets as desired.

Sources

Bader Trimming contributed the trims used for the featured projects. Bader Trimming (845) 356-2594 www.badertrimming.com Beacon™ Fabri-Tac™ permanent adhesive was used for the glued trims. It's available at fabric stores nationwide.

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