Daisy Pants

Planning on attending the Philadelphia Flower Show this year and seeing the theme of “Flower Power” a return to the 1960’s/ Woodstock, of course I first thought was, what should I wear?  I always love dressing for a theme! I was actually in the vicinity of Woodstock Music Festival one week later, visiting a family friend’s farm and the “vibe” was still around, absorbing it all as a 7 year old.  So I started thinking “flower child” look. I did not want to go full out with something I may never wear again (unless on Halloween) and looked to my closet of what I already had and my endless supply of sewing accents.  I have so many sewing items fabric, trims, appliques, home essentials, ribbons, and buttons.  My grandmother, mother, and aunt have passed down many items and of course I have purchased many too!  I have organized and saved everything never knowing what may come in handy one day, especially after making elaborate costumes for my family every Halloween, all the curtains and drapes for my house, and constant crafts.  Usually a trip to the fabric store is expensive, and I often get a laugh of the printed prices on my vintage notions!  My aunt always said she would give me anything because I always use it or find a new way to use it.  I remembered some beautiful daisies my mom gave me so I opened the trim box and took them out, each about 2 inches wide and yes individual.  I checked each one, some were a little frayed, but I had enough for my idea of putting them on one of my favorite bell bottom jeans, along both outside seams.

I counted out the amount I needed to place them side by side down the side seam, it was 22.  If you have an applique or a trim find the position you would like to place them first.  My daisies had the center dot with the stitching going one way and the actual daisy was slightly longer  in this position, I decided to place them all the same way. Decide how to place them so they look consistent when on your item, unless you want them random or another pattern.  I selected the best of my bunch and made a pile of 22 for each side. 

I started them at the same point and same pattern placement on both sides and I pinned them on the seams.  Looking perfect I machine sewed them on to attach them, slightly off of center so the white thread I used would not go over the red center of the daisy. I then removed all the pins.

Then the fun started, I hand sewed around every single flower petal, 12 petals total on each daisy!  I went down one side of the pants seam top to bottom and then up the other side bottom to top making sure each petal of the applique was adhered to the jeans.  I used a back stitch (slip/pin), I wanted to wash my jeans in the washing machine and did not want the applique to wrinkle up which is what would happen if only attached by the sewing machine stitch. I am a quick sewing seamstress, but I enjoyed catching up on my home and cooking channels while I sewed on the daisies.  When I do wash the jeans I will inside them out so the appliqued seams do not have any friction with anything else in the wash.

 I was so very happy how the bell bottom daisy jeans came out and the Flower Show was the “fire” that made me get them done.  I received many admiring looks and complements on my jeans from fellow attendees and staffers.  One woman asked if I did them myself and I said yes, she responded with “they are awesome”!  Proud of my one of a kind look and now I have “Flower Power” jeans to wear for other occasions, not just Halloween!