Another Pair Of Upcycled Overalls

 Another pair of upcycled vintage overalls.

This one has a pink gingham theme.

 Pink gingham front pocket.

Pink gingham lady (from an old apron, I did

the edge embroidery but she was already embroidered.)

And a little of the sashiko embroidery that I have been doing.

A pink floral patch behind the hole.

 And I used a piece of embroidery from a pillowcase

for two places on the back.

 And stitched around them with blue thread.

She will look good coming or going.

I think I am going to try to sell this pair on ebay.

Japanese Sashiko Visible Mending On Denim

I am currently obsessed with Sashiko mending on denim.  I love the sense of history that aged denim has.  I guess that is why some people collect old Levi's.  And if it has patches and repairs -- so much the better.  I think my advancing age gives me a sense of freedom when it comes to how I dress and what I choose to embrace.  I like thinking that the visible mending is just adding another layer of history to a piece of clothing.  And that the history shows....makes it like living art.

(all of the above examples are not my work, but helped inspire me.)

"Sashiko embroidery uses small running stitches to make beautiful designs which are simple and timeless in style. The word Sashiko literally means ‘little stabs’. " It traditionally uses white thread on dark blue cotton.  

 So I decided to take a "little stab" at visible mending on a pair of overalls that had already been mended until mends were about all that was left.  So much the better....

You can use a contrasting piece of cloth underneath a hole or tear so that it peeps out, 

and then stitch on top of both pieces of cloth to keep them in place. 

I really like the random imperfection of the stitches.

You can use a piece of denim or scrap of cloth on top to cover a hole or reinforce an area

 and then stitch over the top. I used this antique handmade lace on a few areas,

it matched the old thread I was using.

I like keeping everything kind of neutral.

I used a couple shades of scrap denim I had on hand 

(plus there had been several shades already used on it).

And I used three kinds of printed blue fabric that I already had.
(Some of the "fabric" was actually clothing hanging in the closet.)

So the project didn't cost me anything but time

(a surprising large amount of time.)

Upcycled Overalls

Last fall we went to a garage sale and purchased eight pairs of amazing well-worn overalls.  Not only were they well-worn, but they were well-patched.  Patched by a thrifty and talented wife who got all of the mileage possible out of these denims. Read about that here.  I just wasn't completely sure what to do with them.

After cruising around on pinterest, I decided they needed a bit of upcycling.  But I don't have a sewing machine (and don't want one.)  I do know someone who does, and is creative to boot.  So I proposed to her that I hand over the overalls, a bunch of lace and other doodads and set her free.
In return, she would end up with half of the "loot".

She immediately caught the vision but said it would be awhile before she had time to tackle them.  Well, then along came quarantine.  Time to spare.

So last weekend she brought over the finished overalls.  

SO CUTE! And we divided up the eight between us.  

We both will probably keep one (or two)

and sell the rest.  

Overalls Overhauled

 I went to a garage sale yesterday and bought eight

pairs of well-worn overalls.  I can't resist work-worn denim.

Besides admiring them,

I don't know exactly what I am doing with them yet.

I'll keep you posted.

Easy Tips To Determine Desirability of Vintage Levi's 501 Jeans

One of the "bonus" items (something in my "lot" that was not in auction pic or description)
 I received from the local on-line

auction that I picked up last Thursday was a vintage pair of Levi's.

They were very dirty, smelly but washed up well.  And I knew from

a little prior experience that they could be good.

 There are a ton of things to look for when establishing the 

value / age of a pair of vintage levi's.  First is the little red tag.

If it has a capital E, you are on the right track.

If the word LEVI'S is only on one side of the tag

(like mine) then you are doing even better.

 There is a window of time where there is a "diamond"

stitched on the bottom of the arcuate (wing stitch on pocket).

Check!  But the other back pocket of my jeans it is too worn to see it.

 Selvedge inside watch pocket. 😖

Not on mine, so I am a little confused.
Width of watch pocket,
and sometimes COLOR of watch pocket is a factor as well.

 Selvedge on seam instead of stitching.  Check.

 Concealed rivets.  Check.

 Centered back belt loop.

It would be better if it were a little to the left.

And it would be great if they had a leather Levi's patch.
And it would be fantastic if there was a cinch.
But then I'd probably be selling these to a museum.

Instead I'll be listing them on ebay,

I hope they will turn out to surprise me twice in a row.

Update:  The jeans sold for $689!