November 1, 2024

Hi, I am so happy to be back, sharing my passion for handmade style with you. Today we are going to talk about my favorite topic; Upcycling! And is there any fabric more plentiful to upcycle than denim? Jean jackets and chambray shirts are easy to find at your local thrift shop and I once read that women have an average of eight pairs of jeans in their closet. I’d say this gives us all plenty of material to work with!

My new Treasured Threadz™ collection was created from my archive of rare vintage textiles, quilts and art - and I took special care to carefully curate each panel to help you easily create a style all your own. These fabric panels are my favorite upcycling tool - check out how I used the Missouri Star Panel on my AnyTime Topper and an old chambray shirt in the photos above! I absolutely love breathing new life into forgotten clothing, it's so good for me… AND the planet!

The first time we introduced Treasured Threadz™, we only had two fabric panels (Missouri Star Quilt Panel and Postage Stamp Retro Panel) - but we recently added three new designs! Look at these beauties!

There are endless ways to use Treasured Threadz™, but today I wanted to show you a few examples of one of the easiest ways to upcycle a jean jacket (or any other denim!) - using my Favorite Fusible Stabilizer and the Decorative Patch Applique Technique. Below are a few more denim projects made with the Decorative Patch Applique Technique…

I even refreshed one of my own favorite jackets with, of course, the Missouri Star Quilt Panel. The color palette is absolutely perfect for using with almost any shade of denim. The signature block is the familiar Missouri Star pattern and this panel features 20 unique prints to mix and match.

Along with the new fabric panels, I also want to inspire you with all the ways you can use our new Treasured Threadz™ Favorite Fusible Stabilizer. This fusible batting was designed to be perfectly compatible with all Treasured Threadz™ fabrics - it's super easy to use, perfect for stitching by machine or hand… AND it’s machine washable!

When you purchase the Favorite Fusible Stabilizer, not only will you get a bonus pressing sheet, you’ll have exclusive online access to printable PDF instructions and video tutorials for BOTH of my signature applique techniques (Decorative Patch Applique and Repair Patch Applique), a supply list and a Look Book with over 25 pages of inspiration!

Using our signature “fuse and stitch” techniques, our Treasured Threadz™ Favorite Fusible Stabilizer is the perfect low-loft batting to mend and refresh your thrift shop finds or to create something entirely new. Favorite Fusible makes an ideal foundation for slow stitching needle arts and gives a firm, yet flexible, backing for embroidery projects - no hoop needed! The loft of the batting creates a hand-quilted look even with simple top stitching. I love how these clouds stand out with just a simple straight stitch! It really is the ideal support for hand work or machine sewing projects.

I hope you’ve been inspired by all the ways you can create with Treasured Threadz™!

The Favorite Fusible Stabilizer is a game changer for sewers and stitchers and the Decorative Patch Applique is the perfect technique to use when you want to start a new project or breathe new life into some of your favorite clothing, accessories or home decor.

As you can tell, I’ve been into upcycling for quite some time! If you want to check out one of my early titles - Denim Redesign - it focuses on all sorts of classic techniques and projects for repurposing denim. And if you want to learn more about Treasured Threadz™, watch the video below. I can’t wait to see what you create!

Blog by Amy Barickman

Published by Danae M.