I can smell crafts from a mile away. When I first heard about the book and the movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I knew embellishments would be involved. Sure enough, there were. This is my take on the matter, and just like the book, it works great for teens or tweens. I call them Patchwork Friendship Jeans. The idea is to have your friends buy a package of patches, decorate them and then pass them out to each other. At that point you iron them on a pair of pants.


Patchwork Friendship Jeans
Supplies


• Package of iron-on fabric patches
• Assorted embroidery thread
• Embroidery needle
• Assorted fabric paints, liner brush (optional)
• Beads and buttons
• Quilting thread
• Scissors
• Water soluble marking pencil
• Iron



Directions: Decide if you want to embroider or paint on your patch. You can also incorporate both! Use the pencil to sketch out your design. Because the patch is small, you won't be able to use an embroidery hoop. Thread your needle, tie a knot at the end and stitch on your design. If painting, use the liner brush. Using the quilting thread, attach the beads and buttons where you like. When finished, trade with your friends and then iron on the patches.

Tips and variations: Always plan ahead before you stitch or paint. Cut shapes out of the patches and decorate those.



* By Kathy Cano Murillo, copyright 2005. Photos property and courtesy of Arizona Republic and AzCentral.com. For more artsy goodness, check out CraftyChica.com *

Labels: crafty cinema, wearable art