There’s something extra special about giving a handmade gift, especially for someone you love with all your heart. For my granddaughter’s birthday, I wanted to create something one-of-a-kind—something that felt like her. I transformed a plain denim jacket into a charming, personalized piece. I used lace trim, colorful ribbon, decorative buttons, some patches, and a few touches of whimsy.

Here’s What I used:

• Pre-made child’s jacket
• Lace trim (I used 2.0″ Cotton)
• Decorative ribbon
• Assorted buttons
• Patches
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine + hand needle for detail work

Tips if you want to try this too:

• Pre-wash your jacket (optional)
• Use fabric clips or pins to hold the lace before stitching
• Add fun trim!
• Add hand-sewn buttons or patches for texture and personality. I used similar embellishments to these Christmas Village Buttons and Jolly Snowmen Buttons to bring the jacket to life. Maybe for an adult jean jacket who loves Halloween – Halloween Buttons.
• Don’t be afraid to mix textures—lace and denim look so cute together!

This project reminded me why I love sewing. It is not just for the fabric and thread. It is for the stories we stitch into each piece. I hope this inspires you to take something simple and make it truly special for someone you love.

I started by adding the lace trim to the bottom of the jean jacket. My next step was adding the Kimberbell trim. I used an open-toe appliqué foot for my Elna and a zig-zag stitch in matching thread. I don’t do iron-on patches. They must be sewn down in my book. Once the trim and lace were on, it was time to sew on the patches. I did use an iron to place them. The highest setting (cotton/wool) is perfect for melting the glue on the patches. Place the patch where you want it, press it down with the iron for 5 seconds, and move on to the next patch. Once your patches are in place, take them over to the sewing machines and sew them down with matching thread.

Dress It Up Buttons are my favorite brand for adding fun embellishments to my projects. They sew on beautifully and have charming, colorful designs.

This project is a wonderful handmade gift idea for birthdays, holidays, or just because—and it’s a sewing project you can finish in a an hour or so. Making this jacket for my granddaughter was more than just crafting. It was stitching love into something she could wear and feel special in every time.

Shop the Supplies for DIY embellished jean jacket

Want to create your own DIY embellished jean jacket? Here are the exact or similar materials I used to make this sweet birthday gift:

• Children’s Denim Jacket
• Cotton Lace Trim
• Patches
• Decorative Buttons
• Ribbon and Embellishments
• Thread for Stitching

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The post DIY Jean Jacket Makeover: How to Add Lace, Buttons, and Love appeared first on Kimberly's Fabric Stash.