Burnside Bibs - How to Distress Denim Overalls?


Hello, everyone. I bleached and dyed these acid-wash blue overalls. You like the colour?
Burnside bibs Sew house seven


Burnside bibs Sew house seven
Grey dungaree overalls. From Burnside Bibs 

Burnside Bibs pattern
 I finally finished Burnside Bibs from Sew House Seven. I really really wanted to make the overalls. Summer in Japan is so humid and hot, so I wanted to make comfortable overalls. The overalls pattern have two front bib, and two pants options :#1 (side zipper opening) and #2 (pull the drawstring). I made #2 but I changed the design a little.
Burnside bibs Sew house sevenBig Ruffle Dress Pattern
Can you see the difference in colour between the overalls and the Big Ruffle Dress? I made them using the same fabric. I love both colour but I wanted to wear the overalls for the summer, so I changed light blue.

Here’s the step-by-step on how to do it!
Instructions:
How to Distress Denim?How to Distress Denim?
What You Need: Bleach, four clothes pins, pen (I used disposable chopsticks), handkerchief, small cushion (or towel), sandpaper (#240-400 and #1000), leaves of tea (or coffee).
Test: Soak scraps of leftover denim in water with bleach.
How to Distress Denim?How to Distress Denim?
1. Mark the location of where you need to buff the overalls using tailor's chalk.
2. Buff at these areas using sandpaper. (Yellow: Sandpaper #240-400, Red: Sandpaper #800-1000)
How to Distress Denim?How to Distress Denim?
3. Buff at the upper thigh and back of the knee using the chopstick and sandpaper.
How to Distress Denim?How to Distress Denim?
4. Put a something hard in the back pocket and run the sandpaper on the denim above it.
5. Stuff a small cushion (or towel) under the butt, knee, and calf area, then rub gently with sandpaper.

How to Distress Denim?How to Distress Denim?
6. Roll up the hem under the knees and hold in place with clothespins. The colour below the knee is darker than the upper area and looks more natural. Bleach your overalls in the bucket for a few hours.
7. After rinsing the overalls, dye them using tea (or coffee).
Burnside bibs Sew house seven
The brand new overalls now look like old ones. It took me a whole day to bleach and dye them. However, I used stuff in my house, so it didn't cost anything. If you want to distress your overalls or jeans, I strongly recommend choosing one size bigger (shrink a little).


Burnside bibs overallsBurnside bibs Overalls
I attached the belt loops using leather after bleaching the overalls. I really love the idea! Burnside Bibs only had the belt loops at the back, but I attached some belt loops at the front too. The reason is, without the extra belt loops it's too much of a hassle to find the strings in the bathroom, so they might get dropped in the toilet. Ha ha (I must confess that I've dropped my phone in the toilet 💀💀💀)

Sew House Seven Overalls
I made them using grey dungaree (Non bleach). I love them too! They are super comfortable and lovely. The rainy season will start soon in Tokyo. I used to dislike the season but I don't now, because I'm more afraid of summer heat than the rainy season. The weather forecast says we’re going to have a very hot summer.


Fabric: Burnside Bibs denim version 60" 2 1/4 yd, grey dungaree 45" 3 5/8 yd
Total Time Spent (not including cutting time) : 12 hours



40 comments

  1. those both look great. you are so creative, love those leather belt loops what a great touch.

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    1. Thank you so much Beth! I love the leather belt loops too:)))

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  2. Wow - the difference with the bleaching is amazing. The overalls look good on you - great job.

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    1. Thanks for your kind words, Josephine! I want to bleach other jeans:)

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  3. Oh, these are perfect!!! Thanks so much for sharing your technique. I haven't heard of this pattern, but have been looking for an overall pattern, and this one looks so comfortable. Love the tops that you've paired with them too! Did you make them too?

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    1. Thank you for reading my blog, Ann! This is the first time to purchase the pattern from Sew House Seven. I really love the pattern and made white twill overalls too.
      Oh yes! I made these tops from Japanese sewing books. They are very comfortable.

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  4. Wow, your distressing really turned out well! Both versions of the pattern look great, and I'm sure you will enjoy wearing them - they look so versatile.

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    1. Thank you so much Chloe! I am glad that you read the post. I really enjoyed bleaching and dyeing them:) I want to try other clothes.

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  5. Thank you for all your tips on bleaching and distressing denim. You achieved such a lovely color with your overalls. I am always amazed at what you do!

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    1. Thank you so much Vanessa! I am happy with the results! I think the colour is really good for summer:)

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  6. I laughed when you said that strings in the bathroom are a nuisance and that even your phone has fallen into the toilet! I thought I was the only one that did things like that! Tie belts, long dresses, floppy things...also can end up in the toilet, or they do with me!!! As for the distressing, it is hard to believe this is the same fabric as the dress - you have done a wonderful job on these. I guess you could overdye in any colour. And the natural colour leather looks so good on these well worn, soft looking overalls. I hope you enjoy wearing them!

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment Sarah! I agree with you, I've dropped tie belt, jumpsuit, makeup bag ... I never put the phone into the back pocket when I use the bath room - very dangerous!
      I really enjoyed bleaching and dyeing the overalls. I want to try shibori tie dye too.

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  7. I never was an overalls girl, I had a pair a few years ago but didn't wear them much so I decided to turn them into ... a dress! *^v^* (which I worn a lot!)
    I've heard about homemade bleaching the denim but never thought about dying it over with tea or coffee, you achieved an unusual color, great idea!
    From the May weather here in Poland (30 degrees and full sun this week!...) I presume our Summer will be exceptionally hot too this year. Even now we are flooded with first Spring fruits like strawberries and cherries, apricots are very sweet too. Unusual for the end of May but I'm not going to complain, just eat them a lot! *^v^*~~~

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    1. Thanks a lot Joanna! I think you like wearing a floral patterned dress(^w^) I love your pattern choice - gorgeous and lovely. Recently, I wear pants because I bought a new motorcycle. I like dyeing using tea, coffee and skin of an onion. It's easy to clean the bucket and bath room after working.
      30 degrees in May? It's too hot! If you got a chance to visit Japan in August, I recommend gold peaches (黄金桃っていいます!) Have a great weekend(^^)v

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  8. Very cute and creative! Love the back loops design!

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    1. Many thanks Georgia! I'm flattered:)

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  9. These are by far the nicest Burnsides I've seen yet! Love your leather tabs and the colour on your denim came out perfectly "distressed" - great fit - just suit you to a tee :)

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    1. I'm really pleased! Thank you so much for your kind words, Kathleen:) I love the effect of the leather tabs. I will use the idea other projects.

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  10. These look amazing! I love the bleaching method you used.

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment! I am pleased:)

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  11. They look so good on you! How much bleach did you put in the water?

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    1. Thank you so much Vicki! I put two bottles of bleach (1800ml) , and left it three hours:)

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  12. LOVE these!!! You did a fantastic job of distressing and bleaching as the finished garment looks so natural. Thank you for sharing with us your process. :)

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    1. Many thanks Lisa! I am glad that you like them😊

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  13. Omg, you did such an amazing job with the bleaching. Both pairs look absolutely great. I always look forward to seeing what you make. You're so talented.

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment. Your words always make me happy! I am going to bleach other jeans😁

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  14. WOW! Thanks for sharing your distressing technique. You've really been thoughtful with the process.

    A great make! I've had this pattern for a long time yet have not sewn it. It's at the top of my list.

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    1. Thank you for reading my blog, Sue! I am pleased. If you like the pattern, I recommend it. I’ve made three overalls already.

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  15. How creative!!! What a big difference with the color from de ruffle dress! I want to try my hand on distressing on a denim skirt, I hope it will work :)

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    1. Thank you so much Camelia! I've seen your lovely works on Google+. If you have any questions about distressing, please feel free to ask me.

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  16. You have made me want overalls and I didn't think that was possible! LOL These are so cute on you that I want a pair too. I have wondered how to use bleach to distress and been afraid to try, but now I will. You had such great results and I love the distressed look. Thanks for reviewing this pattern because I have not seen it until now.

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    1. Thank you for your lovely comment Shirley! If you try to distress your jeans, I recommend trying scraps of leftover. I am glad that I purchased the pattern. I've made three overalls already😁

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  17. The denim pair looks so lived-in, in a beautiful way...but if I could only steal one pair from your closet I'd take the grey. Beautiful Burnside Bibs!

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    1. Thank you for visiting my blog Lia! I am pleased. I love the grey version too. I recommend the pattern to everyone😊

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  18. I really love this, it's look cute and awesome!

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  19. I know what I’m going to be doing this weekend!! Thanks for sharing this awesome DIY. Can’t wait to try.

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