DIY Jackets

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DIY

DIY stands for Do It Yourself and that's been a big part of the punk movement for well over 30 years. Don't like the current trends? Make some of your own whether it's altering that shirt, or sewing a new one.

Punk style seems to be making a huge impression lately. To me, the style exploded on it's own. There was nothing stylish about these kids back in the 70's, they just went along with their own rules. Forget the fashion, wear what YOU like.

This lens is specific to altering that boring jacket.

Leather Jackets

Black leather jackets, especially motorcycle jackets have become iconic with punks. Finding one isn't too hard if you're willing to spend the cash.
First check out thrift stores, then army surplus stores, and even the internet (ebay). This can end up saving you a lot of money.

Figure out what you want on it. Whether you're wanting to make a statement or just show off what bands you like. Patches are all over the internet and below are links to just a few places to find some.

Do you want studs or spikes? Your local craft stores will generally have the triangle studs, you will more than likely have to find other types online.

Adding all this will most likely hurt. The leather is extremely tough. With studs, take something sharp, I've heard an ice pick works wonders, and make a small hole where you're going to put the stud in at. This makes it easier to poke it through.

Hoodies

Hoodies are so easy to alter. Get a favorite band hoodie and then add to it. Buttons and patches work better. Spikes and studs, not so much.
Another cool thing to do, is change the sleeves or the hood. Cut off the originals, find some cool fabric and sew away.

If sewing isn't your idea of fun, safety pins. Be careful with patches on these. Wear and tear is harsh on patches that aren't embroidered.

Stenciling on hoodies is a great way to make that plain thing look cool. There's a link to Stencil Punks down below and some helpful hints. He uses wax paper, I spend money on blank stencils that you can get at any Art Shop. They aren't very expensive at all and just use an exacto knife to cut out what you want.

Hate that stupid hippie denim jacket?

Cut the arms off

and make a vest!
Denim is easy to sew on and punch holes for studs.

My absolute favorite are those psychobilly guys with animal printed out vests.

Denim jackets are so plentiful at thrift stores, you shouldn't have a problem finding one, or 30.

Other Jackets

My jacket is a pleather one I found for 2 bucks at a thrift store. I saw it and knew I had to have it. What I was going to do with it, no idea.

Again with the patches, studs, fabrics, blah blah blah.
I think if you want a cool jacket, dig around stores and it'll pick you. It did me. Or maybe I'm a romantic.

Stencils and Patches

By far one of the best things you can do to a jacket, vest, or hoodie. You can click on the pictures below to view bigger images of my samples. I recommend for stencils the website below in the links, and for patches I almost always use Interpunk. They're reasonably cheap and licensed!

To answer the fabric paint question! I use scribbles, which you can get at Michaels, and Tulip-especially the Matte, which is at Hobby Lobby. These you don't have to heat set, just let it dry and I recommend washing the clothing in cold water and hang dry. Just to keep from fading.
I will warn though, with white paints on leather jackets, it's a pain to wash those and the white gets really dingy and kind of gross looking. Just go back over it once in awhile to keep it looking fresh.

Etsy

My etsy account!

www.punkerkas.etsy.com
Etsy is a great place for handmade and DIY items. There's all kinds of just neat little things you can find, from soaps to clothes to toys and art. On mine I have scarves and photography from around the Ozarks.

Kas' Kreations

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Where do I get this stuff?

Some sites on jackets, stuff for your jackets, and misc.

Cool jackets: This is a site dedicated to showing off your kickass new jacket.
Ebay: Need studs or patches?
Stencils: This is a great site where you can print off all kinds of punk band images and political statements to stencil onto that leather jacket of yours.
Interpunk: Anything and everything you could want.
Dr. Strange: He has a lot of punk related items, from patches to cd's to records. And super fast shipping!
Need studs?: Here you go! To find all your spike and stud needs!
Deranged Designs: This is a girl from California who does amazing work. She has many patches from local bands in NorCal and some studs and of course her own clothes.
Stencil Tutorial Blog: From Team SquidEtsy. Gives some hints and tips on getting your stencil correct the first time!

Amazon Items

Even Amazon.com has helpful patches and other stuff to jazz up that jacket.

DIY Jackets

DIY

New Table of Contents

Leather Jackets

Hoodies

Hate that stupid hippie denim jacket?

Cut the arms off

Other Jackets

Stencils and Patches

Etsy

My etsy account!

Kas' Kreations

Where do I get this stuff?

Amazon Items

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Patches on eBay

Studs on eBay

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