Embroidered Floral Jeans

Embroidery isn’t just for hoops and samplers; you can wear it, too! Use a few basic stitches to add a pretty, personal touch to your favorite jeans! Here’s how I decorated mine with daisies.

Image contains a pair of jeans with pockets decorated with floral embroidery.

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How to Make Embroidered Floral Jeans

All you need to make this project is a pair of jeans, some perle cotton or embroidery floss, a needle, and scissors. Feel free to copy my floral design, or to get creative and come up with your own variation. Just grab the supplies below and let’s get started!

Image contains the back pocket of a pair of jeans that has been decorated with floral embroidery.

Materials

jeans (mine are these wide leg jeans from Maurices)
Missouri Star #8 Perle Cotton – White, Green Grape, Grass Green, Sunburst, Grape
Embroidery needle
Scissors

Image contains the back pocket of a pair of jeans, containing floral embroidery with daisies, leaves, and vines.

Embroidery Stitches Used

I used a combination of these basic stitches. If you’re new to embroidery, click on the name of the stitch to see a great video tutorial from the folks at Missouri Star Quilt Company.

Image contains the back pocket of a pair of jeans, decorated with daisy embroidery.

Instructions

Step 1: (optional) Use a heat-erase pen to trace/sketch your design onto the denim.
You can also just start stitching without drawing first, if you prefer.

Step 2: Start in the center of the pocket top and use the Lazy Daisy stitch to create three flowers.
I did a full 8-petal flower in the center, and two side view flowers with 5 petals each.

Step 3: Stitch daisy buds using three Lazy Daisy stitches each.
I did one on each end of my design and one halfway between the center and the end on each side.

Step 4: Stitch a french knot in the middle of each of the center daisies.
I also added a yellow french knot above each of the end daisy buds.

Step 5: Use a stem stitch to connect your daisies with a vine on each side.

Step 6: Add leaves along the vine with a leaf stitch.

Step 7: Add two short stems on each side of the vine in a lighter green (stem stitch).

Step 8: Stitch 5-6 french knots around each stem.
I used purple, but you can use any color you like.

Once your pocket is complete, it’s time to do the same thing on the other one! Don’t worry if they’re not exactly the same, that’s the beauty of handmade art. Embrace the variation and just enjoy the process. You’re making a one-of-a-kind creation!

Image contains a pair of jeans laying with the back side up on a white table. The back pockets are decorated with floral embroidery.

Once I finished both back pockets, I also wanted to add just a tiny bit of detail to the front of the jeans. So, I flipped them over and embroidered three daisies, along with a few little leaves on the smallest front pocket.

Image contains a close-up view of a front jeans pocket decorated with three embroidered daisies.

Crafting Tips

This same basic project can be done on a denim jacket, a skirt, a purse, a tote bag, a hat, and many other types of fabric surfaces.
Save money on this project by sourcing your jeans at a thrift store!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I learn basic embroidery stitches?

I recommend the beginner Learn Embroidery Stitch by Stitch kit from MSQC.

What’s the difference between perle cotton and embroidery floss?

Embroidery floss is made of six strands that can be separated to give a different thickness and texture. It is ideal for counted cross stitch and for detailed projects with varying textures. Perle cotton comes in different thicknesses and is not divisible into smaller strands. It is strong and durable, perfect for bold decorative stitching.

More Project Ideas

If you enjoyed this project, here are a few other ideas you may want to try!

If you decorate your own jeans, or try any of these other projects, I’d love to see what you create! Make sure you’re part of the Amy Latta & Friends Facebook Group so you can share your photos and we can all be inspired. See you there!