How to Upcycle a Thrifted Jacket with Crochet Flowers – Easy DIY Tutorial

How to Buy the Perfect Thrifted Jean Jacket for Adding Crochet Flowers

If you’re looking to personalize a jean jacket with a charming, handcrafted touch, adding crochet flowers is a fantastic way to do it! Not only is it a creative and unique project, but it also gives you the opportunity to showcase your crochet skills while breathing new life into a thrifted piece. Here’s how to find the perfect jean jacket for this upcycling project and how to add crochet flowers to make it truly one-of-a-kind.

Why Choose a Thrifted Jean Jacket for Your Crochet Flowers?

Thrifted jean jackets are the perfect canvas for an upcycling project because they offer a durable, timeless base that’s easy to work with. Buying secondhand means you’re also being environmentally conscious by giving new life to an old piece of clothing. The beauty of a thrifted jean jacket is that it often has its own pre-loved charm—faded spots, distressed details, or even a soft, worn-in feel—which will blend beautifully with the crochet flowers.

Tips for Finding the Right Thrifted Jean Jacket

When thrifting for the perfect jacket to decorate with crochet flowers, keep these tips in mind:

1. Choose a Style You Love: Jean jackets come in various styles—oversized, cropped, vintage, or fitted. In this project, I added crochet flowers to the front, back and sleeves, so be sure to consider the jacket’s size and how much surface area you have to work with.
2. Check the Denim Quality: Look for a jacket with sturdy denim fabric that can hold up to the weight of the crochet flowers. Make sure the stitching is intact, especially around the arms and hem, as this ensures durability when you start adding your floral designs. If the jacket is too worn out or frayed in critical areas, it might not be the best base for your project.
3. Select a Base Color: While classic blue denim is always a great option, don’t overlook black, white, or colored denim. Lighter washes offer a more subtle backdrop that will allow vibrant crochet flowers to stand out, while darker washes create a more dramatic, sophisticated effect. Choose the color that complements the yarn colors you plan to use.
4. Look for a Jacket with Texture: Since you’ll be adding crochet flowers, a jacket with some texture or distressing can enhance the final look. Small rips, fraying at the edges, or faded areas can provide a great contrast to the neat, precise crochet flowers and add to the overall aesthetic.

If you’re in the UK and looking for a convenient way to shop for a thrifted jean jacket, Vinted is a great option. Vinted is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell secondhand clothing, and it’s packed with a wide variety of pre-loved items—including denim jackets in all shapes, sizes, and styles. The best part? You can filter your search by size, color, and condition to find the perfect jacket for your upcycling project. Whether you’re looking for a classic vintage piece or a more modern fit, Vinted gives you access to tons of affordable options from sellers all over the UK. Plus, by shopping secondhand on Vinted, you’re supporting a sustainable fashion movement and reducing waste—one stylish jacket at a time. The jackets I used for this project cost me just under £16.00 for both and this included the shipping! What an amazing deal.

Adding Crochet Flowers to Your Jean Jacket

Now that you’ve found the perfect thrifted jean jacket, it’s time to start crocheting and attaching those beautiful flowers! Here’s how to go about it:

The Yarn

I used Drops Paris Cotton DK yarn for this project, there is a list of the colours below. Feel free to use any type of yarn you prefer! Keep in mind that the size of the flower will vary depending on the yarn weight. For example, using Aran or Chunky yarn will result in a larger flower, while 4ply or sport yarn will create a smaller one. Be sure to adjust your crochet hook to the recommended size for the yarn you choose. This is a fantastic way to personalize your jacket and let your creativity shine!

For The Petals:
Drops Paris – Rust (65) – 50g
Drops Paris – Old Pink (59) – 50g
Drops Paris – Desert Rose (63) – 50g
Drops Paris – Peach (27) – 50g

For The Middle:
Drops Paris – Mustard (41) – 50g

Crochet The Flowers

I crocheted five flowers in four different colors, creating a total of 20 flowers per jacket. The design mimics an embroidered look, making each flower blend seamlessly with the denim for a handmade yet polished finish. The impact is stunning—each flower stands out while still feeling like part of the jacket’s original design.

Continue by making your desired number of flowers for you jean jacket using this “Embroidery Look” Crochet Flower Pattern with Video Tutorial.

Placing the Flowers

Before sewing, take a moment to plan the placement of your crochet flowers. Lay the jean jacket flat and experiment with different arrangements until you find the perfect balance. Pay attention to color distribution and ensure the flowers complement each other. Also, be mindful of seams or stitching lines that could make sewing more challenging. Taking the time to arrange everything beforehand will help create a cohesive, well-balanced design!

Once you’re happy with the arrangement, use pins to secure each flower in place before sewing. To keep track of your color placement, try using pins with different colored heads that correspond to the flower colors. This way, you can remove the flowers as needed without losing track of their positions, making the sewing process much smoother.

Sewing the Flowers onto the Jacket

Sewing the Flowers

1. Thread a sharp needle using the tail left from making the flower to blend seamlessly with the crochet flowers.
2. Start from the front of the jacket and poke your needle sideways through the flower and the jacket at the same time (see video tutorial at the end of the blog post for further instruction).
3. Use small, secure stitches around the outer edges of the flower to attach it firmly to the denim. I used a whipstitch (see video tutorial at the end of the blog post for further instruction).
4. Sew through multiple layers if necessary, ensuring the flower is fully secured without puckering the fabric.
5. Weave in the end within the crochet flower to keep the inside of the jacket as neat as possible, then trim any excess yarn.
6. Repeat for each flower, checking placement as you go to maintain an even, balanced design.

Full Video Tutorial