I tried making a dress from old denim and it turned out way too stiff

I had this idea to make a summer dress from three pairs of worn-in jeans I found at a thrift store in Austin. I cut them up and sewed the panels together, thinking the soft denim would be perfect. But after I finished, the dress was so stiff it could almost stand up on its own! I think the seams from all the different pieces just added too much structure. Has anyone else tried upcycling denim into a flowy garment and found a way to keep it soft?

2 comments

2 Comments

gibson.seth2d ago

Read somewhere that washing the finished piece with fabric softener or a cup of white vinegar can help break down the stiffness. Might be worth a shot before you take the seams apart. The extra bulk from all those seams is definitely working against you.

hill.barbara2d ago

Oh yeah, I heard vinegar works great for softening up stiff fabric. Give that a try first.