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DIY Embellished Denim Shirt

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In case you weren’t able to join us last week at Madewell‘s anniversary event, we’re giving you the breakdown on just one of the many ways we embellished our favorite chambray shirts that evening. So grab a handful of sparkle and let’s get gilding!

You’ll need:

For shank style buttons, start by cutting off the backs with a pair of flush cutters. Vintage buttons are most commonly made of lightweight metal and plastic so cutting off the shanks is very easy. For embellished collars, make sure there are two sets of embellishments so that the design is symmetrical.

Squeeze a dollop of Jewel-It washable glue onto a wooden spoon or small plastic container. Jewel-It is the best bonding agent when it comes to glueing hard-to-hold jewels and embellishments onto fabrics. Use a toothpick to dab glue onto the back of a button, rhinestone, or pearl.

Position the embellishment on the tip of the collar and work outwards.

Note that the glue does not set right away and takes quite a while to dry so be careful not to nudge the pieces around too much.

Repeat the same design on the other collar tip and that’s it, you’re done! Allow to dry at least 24 hours before handling or wearing and even though clothing can be washed after using Jewel-It, I would recommend dry cleaning the shirt only.

Another option is to embellish the pocket of a denim shirt using the same technique. Check out an example here. Happy embellishing!

(Madewell Chambray Shirt, Bauble Bar Mini Nameplate Necklace, JCrew Crystal Necklace, Bauble Bar Monogram Necklace; all images by HonestlyWTF)

106 Comments

  9. Olga    July 31, 2012

    OMG, This is so awesome!! Love it!! Definitely gonna try it!!
    Also I love the necklaces!! Where are they from?

  19. Maria    July 31, 2012

    Love this! So much more creative than the regular studs on jean shirts (which I also love).

  24. britt    July 31, 2012

    When I go to the UK my friend and I were going to have craft day with denim with our thrift finds. So doing this! reblogged

  31. jamie    July 31, 2012

    Just found your Blog through Tumblr and I am Hooked! Love it.. Can’t wait to follow along some more.
    Jamie
    simplymeart.com

  37. Hélène    July 31, 2012

    I’m so in love with your this idea ! Perfect look ! I really enjoyed reading through your blog, I am a new follower ! Would love for you to stop by my blog and follow back if you like it
    Hélène
    http://www.thisisln.com

  51. Marina    August 1, 2012

    Thanks for ideas! it is great! I will try with white shirt ;)

  55. Megan Jones    August 1, 2012

    Jewel-It is seriously miracle goo! So many glues claim to be washable, but within a few wears your embellishments start falling off! This stuff seriously works and you can wash to your hearts desire.

    I love that this slightly tacky but oh so cute look is becoming trendy. It is like all of the good of 80s fashion without all the horrific. A little bling goes a long way!

  56. Jasmine    August 1, 2012

    wow these look amazing! i think i might try these! :) ) xx

    –

    Jasmine
    turquoiseinlove.blogspot.com

  60. olithée    August 3, 2012

    Defintely gonna try am somehow tired of my usual denim shirts (which i have plenty of)
    thanks !

  62. clair    August 5, 2012

    hello – can u tell me where you purchased the personalized name necklace in the first and last pic?

  68. Natasha    September 3, 2012

    I looooooovvveeee this DIY. I was trying to think of a way to jazz up my school uniform. I probably can’t get away with too many embellishing but one or two is still a great way to add style. I’m worried that when I wash my shirts, the embellishments might fall off since dry-cleaning would be pricey.

  73. Jazmine    October 7, 2012

    This makes me want to go out and buy a denim shirt just so I could embellish it! I will definitely try this look out this season.

    OnaRoadtoNeon.blog.com

  74. DGT    October 9, 2012

    This is the ugliest piece of crap shirt I have ever seen – seriously people – where are you from? The freaky deep south. Are you such slaves to “trends” that you completely lose all self-respect? Grow a pair….of bloody creative balls of your own.

  76. Natalia    December 7, 2012

    mmmm It is a cool idea. What I don’t understand is that you can sew most of the materials to the shirt instead of gluing them. You cut the back of the buttons to glue them!? What a lazy DIY!! I wonder how long your DIYs last? Wash them two times and they are destroyed! Needle and thread is not too hard.

  77. Alexandra Melo    March 28, 2013

    Olá adorei a ideia eu também sou muito de fazer as minhas coisas adoro DYD,
    BEIJINHOS
    Alexandra mELO

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