How To Design Your Own Stencil-Bleached Upcycled Jeans

Hello Stencil Fans,

My name is Michelle (@michelle.schenker.art on Instagram), and I am a mixed-media and watercolor artist who loves transforming trash into treasures. You have likely noticed that my StencilGirl® blog projects follow this passion. 

I was doing a bit of wardrobe cleanup and was ready to donate a pair of old jeans to Goodwill when I realized I could reimagine them. So, I decided to play with my StencilGirl® stencils and some bleach to see what I could do to add these back in as a "new" beloved item!

StencilGirl® Stencil:

• Children, Our Future by Cynthia Silveri

Other Supplies:

• Jeans
• Bleach
• Fine-mist spray bottle
• Sturdy material to protect the jeans where you don't intend to bleach (I used a thick piece of paper and towels)
• Newspaper or a tarp
• Cotton rags or paper towels
• Low-tack spray adhesive or painter's tape
• Gloves and mask (optional)

Step 1:

Add 1/2 cup of bleach to a fine-misting spray bottle (this helps prevent unwanted drips). 

Choose a spot where you can work either outside or in a well-ventilated area. You might also consider wearing a mask and gloves.

Step 2:

Place a layer or two of newspaper or plastic on your surface to protect it (I used a tarp). Then, put a flat, thick piece of paper or plastic in between the pants leg and lay the jeans out flat. This keeps the bleach from soaking through. 

Step 3:

If you want crisp edges along the stencil design, use low-tack adhesive spray or painter's tape to secure the stencil in place. Then position your stencil where you want the design on the jeans, and tape it in place if you wish. Add some dry towels or plastic sheets around the stencil to protect it and keep bleach from getting where you don't want it. 

Step 4:

Once your stencil is down and the surrounding area is protected, spray the bleach over the stencil until it is damp, but don't soak it. Then, keep the stencil in place and use a cotton rag or paper towel to wipe up any excess bleach. This will keep your edges more defined. Once the extra liquid has been removed from the stencil, you can move it.  

Step 5:

While you may not see the lighter change color right away, don't worry. So long as it's wet enough to see it, the design will turn lighter relatively quickly.

Move the dry stencil to your next desired location and repeat steps 3 and 4. Continue with this until you are satisfied with your completed design. 

Immediately after removing the dried stencil.

This is after a few minutes sitting with the bleach!

Step 6:

Once your design is ready, immediately throw your jeans in the washing machine and run it. Then you can decide whether to put them in the dryer or hang them to air dry (it will not change the outcome).

Step 7:

Once dry, put on your new sassy jeans and walk your own personal catwalk! Maybe your dog will even admire them, like my pup Milo did!

Rock those new jeans and tell everyone that you designed them yourself. Way to go!

Cheers and have fun creating! If you decide to make these, please tag me on your social media posts (links below) - I'd love to see your creations. 

All the best,

Michelle Schenker

Michelle Schenker's website | Instagram | Facebook

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Bohemian Rhapsody with Sherri Welser!

Hi, everyone! Sherri Welser here!

There is nothing like a great pair of comfy jeans and for an artist that is a blank canvas to be explored!

I love the Boho Vibe so I decided to take these jeans on an artsy Bohemian journey!

~Supplies~

Pair of jeans

Gwen Lafleur's Decorative Medallion stencil

Lumiere Fabric Paint in Metallic Copper

Liquitex Paint Pen in Gold

Stencil brush and paper plate to work the paint on

Glitter glue

Black paint (optional)

1)      Decide where you would like to place your stencil.

I placed mine on the right hand side (top of the pant leg) and at the very bottoms.

2)      Lay down the stencil and secure if needed with painter’s tape.

3)      Working with small amounts of paint and working it onto the brush apply lightly to the stencil and work in to the jeans being careful not to bump or get paint under the stencil as you want to get a sharp image. I usually do several light layers to build up the color instead of a big amount of paint up front.

4)      Remove stencil and move to the other areas and let dry.

5)      Heat set the paint with an iron and a towel over the design.

Several times going over it on medium-high would be enough.

6)      I then painted the gold areas in loosely with the Liquitex paint pen.

7)      I also outlined with the gold pen around the gold paint to add some depth.

8)      At this point you can either add small rhinestones with a Bejeweled heat tool or as I did just add some glitter dots on the design. The glitter glues gives a pretty sparkle effect without the extra work of the tool and rhinestones, but the choice is yours.

9)      On the back pocket I also added some black dots of paint to bring a bit more interest.

10)  I added some glitter glue here and there to give it a bit of fairy dust effect.

I hope you enjoy creating some fun artwork on your jeans using StencilGirl stencils!!

Sherri Welser

IndigoEarth and WildHeart Art Studios