You know I love a good DIY project. When I came across this bold striped Zara blazer while thrifting I knew it would make a great canvas for some embroidered iron on patches.
Upcycled Zara Blazer DIY
I was modelling it here with the vintage 70s chambray jumpsuit which has since sold from my Etsy store.
Here I am as I wore it out.
That 1950s red handbag is a new addition to my personal collection from RetrouverBiz. I couldn’t resist the cool shape.
How To: Upcycled Zara Blazer DIY
You can find iron on embroidered patches at craft stores or online through Etsy. I bought mine when I was in Hong Kong visiting my husband at their massive wholesale fabric neighbourhood. What an adventure that was! It took forever for us to find this tiny hole-in-the-wall-store amongst the hundreds of others. Once we found it though it was embroidered patch heaven! They had small drawers full of patches up the walls to the ceiling. Needless to say I went crazy and brought home a big bag full of patches which I’ve been using for multiple DIY projects.
Just lay out your design on the back of your blazer. When you are happy with the placement of your patches pin them in place. One at a time iron on the patches according to the iron on directions. It will only take about fifteen minutes and is dead easy!
If you wish you can also stitch around the patches with a sewing machine to ensure they are well secured as sometimes the glue on the back of the patches isn’t enough.
Check out the tiger’s eyes!
I glued on googly eyes so they move! Ha ha! I love it!
Last week was HUGE for vintage finds.
I’m excited to share all the treasures I found at the Ian Drummond Studio Sale this past weekend.
Here is a little peek at what it looked like… and yes Virginia…it is all vintage! GAH!
Everywhere I turned there was more fabulous vintage!
I spent over two hours trying to narrow down my choices.
The selection was vast and varied including items from the early 1900s.
I enjoyed just looking at the quality and details of each piece.
In the end I stuck with my favourite decades 50s, 60s and 70s and came home with eleven pieces. I could have easily bought five times that amount, if not more. The temptation to go overboard was intense. I stuck within my budget though and made it out without totally breaking my bank.
I’m still trying to decide which pieces I’ll be keeping for my personal collection and which ones will end up in my Etsy store.
This week I hope to take some photos to help me decide.
I’ve also been adding to the Etsy store lately and will be updating that this week with LOADS of great finds I picked up on my recent trip to BC.
Have you ever gone to a vintage warehouse sale? Would you like to?
Linking up with Patti at Visible Monday and Turning Heads Tuesday.
You always come up with the best combinations for embellishing a jacket or other garment. This jacket is no exception. It’s summer and fun and then you look on the back and RAWR, a googly-eyed tiger greets you with flowers! It’s so whimsical!
My jaw dropped looking at your photos from the vintage sale. I’m actually dying to know which pieces you found there. Next time I’m in Toronto, can we go there, even just to look?
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
I think they would let us go! They invited me to come and visit so I would love to take you next time you’re here : ) You will DIE!!!
What a fabulous job you did up cycling that red jacket. It now has a great Gucci or Kenzo vibe. I love it styled with the stripes and that red bag is fabulous. I think that vintage market looks like heaven.
I have never been to a show like that. In the New York area I would be too afraid of bed bugs.
What a wonderful opportunity for you.
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
Wow, the jacket is now insanely wonderful – looks like a Kenzo, which costs a mortgage payment! And the vintage sale looks better than a room full of chocolate – how much fun was that?? Can’t wait to see your purchases. xox
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
I love a good DIY and you showed us a Fantastic one. You wear this jacket well and hope to see it again. .
Beautiful creation. You’re so talented. I adore the red handbag: its shape is so unusual and appealing.
That’s a fab makeover, I love that tiger and his googly eyes. A great idea to add a bit of individuality to mass produced clothing. I need to visit that place in Hong Kong.
That vintage warehouse looks interesting. a lot of UK traders buy their clothes wholesale from places like that – I’ve never been to one, we’re spoilt for choice in charity shops and car boots here – I don’t think I’d have any money left if I went down that route!. Can’t wait to see what you bought! xxx
This is such a fabulous idea, Suzanne. In fact, I have a grey striped blazer almost like your red one, and maybe I will DIY it!! It definitely sounds doable!!
I especially love how you paired it with the horizontal striped top!! That’s my kind of outfit!!
And that warehouse?? OMG—it was like a candy store for you I bet. I can’t wait to see what you found!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
This is amazing! You are so good at this. I particularly love how you used the striped blazer as the base. Yes, Kenzo or some other equally high-end brand, but waaay better because it’s a Suzanne piece. That shop in Hong Kong was quite a find too. The warehouse, hahaha!!! I feel broke just looking at it! But it would be fun just to ogle everything for a while too.
Can you believe that I am starting to get hooked on vintage clothing! I am wearing my first find on the blog now!
How cool! Those googly eyes!!
Definitely business on the front and party on the back.
You really must love these patches to bother chasing them down in Hong Kong. But what a fun experience!
And speaking of fun experiences, how about that warehouse. Woah! Overload city or what!?
You did well to come away with so few. I hope you don’t regret any you stoicly left behind.
Can’t wait to see them!
xo Jazzy Jack
wow, that jacket looks fabulous and i loved the way you styled it in all the pics. But i am new here, and i couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the wall that’s your backdrop? Is there a tutorial on how to re-create that?? found you on visible mondays with Patti.
http://ahhhsoneo.com
Welcome, welcome! Thanks for stopping by : )
There is a post a long time ago when I redecorated my office. You can see it here.
http://suzannecarillo.com/butterfly-floral-wall-treatment-home-office-decor-ideas/
When I see the size of this venue.. my god, we have nothing like it. I might be totally overwhelmed when I ever visit something like this. How to look? What is good?
As far as the DIY.. you are creative, you clearly know what you are doing, the jacket is your witness. I wouldn’t dare.
Greetje
Nice upcycle on the jacket – I would love to visit that patch store in Hong Kong! Isn’t Ian’s collection amazing? He had a section of things for sale when I visited him last year so I did get a couple of things for my own closet. I’m excited to see what you went home with.
maybe i can move in in that warehouse??? ;-D
PARADISE!
cool pimped up blazer – genius the googly eyes. love the combo with the chambray suit underneath….
xxxx
It takes the eye of an artist and creative guts to conceive of using embroidered patches on a striped gament and I love the composition of that red striped jacket!!! Your DIY projects are always inspirational Suzanne!