Had a small win with upcycling a thrifted denim jacket

I was super skeptical about those fabric paint pens for adding details to clothes, thought they'd crack or wash out. Picked up a beat-up Levi's jacket for $8 at a Goodwill in Omaha and spent a Saturday doodling on the back. After 4 washes now, the design is still holding up and I've gotten like 3 compliments from strangers. Has anyone else had better luck with a specific brand of fabric paint?

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grant.margaret4mo ago

I mean, that's a good sign it's holding up after four washes. What nobody really talks about is the fabric itself, like how denim from different eras has different weaves and coatings. Older Levi's jackets from before the 2000s feel way more absorbent, like the paint actually sinks in versus just sitting on top of a modern poly-blend shell. I'd be curious what year yours is from because that could be why it stuck so well. Maybe it's just me but I feel like the cheap paint on modern synthetic denim is doomed to peel, but vintage cotton just drinks it up.

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drew7914mo ago

Bet you're right, I've got an early 2000s one that soaked up paint like a sponge while my newer jacket just has it sitting on top like a sticker. That modern poly blend is basically plastic with denim patterns printed on it, no wonder stuff flakes off.

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