Monday, October 7, 2013

Bleach Painting & Quilt Projects

Way back in high school I remember having a favorite pair of jeans that I embellished with a gazillion decorative stitches in lots of colors using embroidery floss - I think I wore them to death in the 70's - kinda wish I still had them! (not that they'd still fit, of course)  Anyway, this project I did over the weekend makes me think of those just a little bit because I think it's only the second time I've ever fancied up my jeans. Using a Clorox bleach pen I altered the look of this pair of denim pants.



To start with I cut some cardboard to insert inside each leg so the bleach wouldn't bleed through to the other side of the pants.

Then I used the fine end of the bleach pen to draw a design on the denim.  If you look closely you can see the faint chalk line I drew as a guide before applying the bleach.

Repeated for the other side. I found that the heavier the line of bleach, the whiter the denim turned. And you have to be patient and let the bleach sit on the fabric for a good 30 minutes or more. I rinsed the pants in the kitchen sink with my sprayer - then immediately threw them in the washing machine.

A friend has a similar pair of jeans with a Ralph Lauren label on them and I really liked the paisley type of design on hers so I went in the same direction although you could do anything under the sun using this same technique. FUN!

These two small quilt projects are not quite finished, but they need to come down off of my design wall - - - -

- - - so I can get started on the wedding quilt using these polka dot fabrics. The pattern for the quilt changed over the weekend so we're going in a whole different direction now - it will be fun. 




17 comments:

Sue SA said...

Love the jeans, I had no idea bleach could be so much fun! The polka dots are cute, looking forward to seeing what you create.

woolwoman said...

OMGosh - love your jeans - so cool and so 70's - but then maybe that was not your goal LOL - I'm so jealous you had a class with Maggie B - I adore that runner in her new book with the two urns - I think I simply must do that one. Another good thing about her things - I never have to change the initials ! loved seeing the quilt show too. HOpe you are having a great fall season Melody

Janet O. said...

Those jeans are so cool! The design looks like some FMQ. My kids would wonder what happened to their Mom if they saw me in jeans like that. But then they weren't around when I was wearing a paisley caftan in the 70s. : )
So you did pumpkin seeds as well as Nabby's Dowry. I thought I would do it, but when she posted the HST border I knew I couldn't make the time for that before our departure. It is very cute.
How fun are all those polka dots in such an array of colors? What a happy quilt that will be!

moosecraft said...

Wow! Love the jeans idea! They look fabulous! The sew a long quilts are gorgeous too! :-)

audrey said...

You are very creative! That polka dot fabric looks fun!

Rugs and Pugs said...

What fun!!! You find the coolest projects.
Hugs :)
Lauren

Julia said...

I've learned something new. This is the first I've heard of a Clorox pen. Just imagine the doodles you could make. Sounds like a fun new fad.

I'm sure that you are going to create a great quilt with the polkadot fabrics.

Hugs,
JB

Three Sheep Studio said...

Oh, how fun Gayle ! Love the pants. What a great idea.
I also wore jeans that were embroidered in the 70's. In fact, I think every pair I owned was embellished with hand embroidery !! Funny, I forgot about them. (Wish I had them too.)
Rose

Nedra said...

Grooovy jeans, Gayle :) Like a morph back in time.
And it looks like you at least found fabrics the couple can both be happy about for a wedding quilt. Polka Dots are cool.

Anonymous said...

Design in jeans looks so beautiful...

Kindred Quilts said...

"Far out" jeans Gayle... do you have a macrame style belt to go with them? Oh, the good old '70's of Peace, Love, and flower children...

Yvonne said...

Cute jeans, is that the latest hype? Didn't see it over here yet? Do you have pens with bleach?
Love the polka dots, that will turn into a fun quilt I am sure!

The Wool Cupboard said...

Love the jeans, Gayle!! Your quilts are always beautiful.

Hugs, Linda

The Wool Cupboard said...

Love the jeans, Gayle!! Your quilts are always beautiful.

Hugs, Linda

Lori said...

You are so creative! What a fun project to spruce up a pair of jeans.

The polka dot fabric is going to make a fantastic quilt! I look forward to seeing it.

Lesley said...

Your jeans are adorable. How talented you are! Your Nabby Dowry is gorgeous and the little quilt is wonderful. As for those polka dot fabrics...wow! Have fun with them!

Jeanette Hobbs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.