DIY stressed denim HOW TO CREATE A CUSTOM BLEACHED PIECE
How to create a custom bleached piece
Denim is a staple in many people's wardrobes. The plethora of hues, finishes and fits on offer pretty much ensures there's a perfect piece for every style preference.
For those looking to make their favourite styles stand out — or to refresh a favourite piece for spring — the textile provides the perfect canvas for adding custom details.
“The density of the fabric makes it a perfect canvas for embroidering, patching, and sewing,” says Sara Chalupnicek, a Calgary-based in-house tailor for Levi's.
To facilitate this custom feel, the brand offers a selection of customization options such as button swaps, embroidery, painting and more at select Levi's locations across Canada, including Park Royal in West Vancouver. Available at a variety of prices, Chalupnicek says that customization can be a great option for both new and used denim finds.
“On a small scale, distressing is quite popular, especially with the warmer weather coming up,” Chalupnicek says of the most sought-after services. “Next would be panelling and sashiko — a type of traditional Japanese stitching. And the most popular premium customization would be our chain stitch embroidery.”
This particular type of embroidery sees a Levi's tailor draw the thread onto the fabric by hand. A machine is then used to create the stitch using a single chain stitch line. The embroidery can range from a single name or symbol to a full embroidered panel on a piece.
Well-worn pieces can also be repaired and patched, reworked into new designs such as a tote bag, or recycled in the brand's Denim Recycling Program, where it will be used for insulation, according to Chalupnicek.
For those who are interested in trying their denim DIY skills at home, Chalupnicek shared an easy option using bleach gel to create a cool, custom effect.