Creating a Custom Bomber Jacket for an A Day To Remember Fan

Selecting the Perfect Jacket for a Custom Design

When embarking on a custom jacket project, choosing the right base jacket is crucial. For a punk rock style bomber jacket inspired by A Day To Remember's aesthetic, I'll need a jacket with the following key features:

• Bomber jacket silhouette - this nipped-in waist style creates a punk/streetwear vibe
• Neutral color like black, white, or grey - provides a blank canvas for customization
• Durable fabric like leather, faux leather, or coated cotton - stands up to distressed details and punk embellishments
• Zip front closure - allows for patches/pins to be prominently displayed

I found the perfect blank bomber jacket on Etsy. It's a size large black faux leather bomber jacket made of polyurethane. The sheen of the faux leather and silver zipper hardware give it an edgy look that will pair nicely with punk rock customizations.

Planning the Design Layout

Now that I have my jacket blank, it's time to map out the design. Arnold loves A Day To Remember, so I'll incorporate their logos and lyrics for a cohesive fan jacket.

For the back panel, I'll do a large distressed A Day To Remember logo in white. I'll use fabric paint to hand paint the logo and then distress it using sandpaper. On the left chest, I'll sew on a pre-made ADTR iron-on patch.

The sleeves are prime real estate for lyrics. On one sleeve, I'll do the lyrics from "All Signs Point to Lauderdale" in a dripping red paint font. The other sleeve will feature lyrics from "If It Means a Lot to You" in white punk-stenciled letters.

To embellish, I'll add some pyramid studs around the collar and down the shoulders. I'll also use fabric glue to attach some cool buttons with punk symbols and phrases like "Crooked Young" and "PMA" (positive mental attitude).

Prepping the Jacket for Customization

Before starting the custom paint work, I'll need to properly prep my jacket blank. Here are the key steps:

1. Wash and dry the jacket to preshrink it and remove any coatings that could interfere with paint adhesion.
2. Lightly sand any glossy areas on the jacket to help the paint grip.
3. Apply a thin coat of gesso or primer to the areas to be painted. This gives the paint an ideal surface to stick to.

For the distressed logo design on the back, I'll first paint on my base white logo. After it dries fully, I'll use 120 grit sandpaper to rough up areas of the design. I'll finish it off with a quick wipe of black acrylic paint to antique it.

Painting the Hand Lettered Lyrics

For the hand lettered lyrics on the sleeves, I'll use a combination of stencils and freehand painting.

First, I'll sketch out my lettering design on paper and make stencils by cutting out each letter. Next, I'll tape the stencils in place on the sleeves and apply two coats of white fabric paint inside each one.

After removing the stencils, I'll go back and touch up any uneven spots and add distressed dripping effects using a small paintbrush. For an extra gritty punk vibe, I'll splash some black acrylic paint onto the white lettering.

Studding and Distressing for Maximum Punk Rock Vibes

No punk jacket is complete without plenty of metal stud embellishments. I'll use my leather hole punch to make holes 1 inch apart in rows around the collar and shoulders. Then I'll secure pyramid studs into each hole using pliers.

For additional edge, I'll distress areas like the cuffs, hem, and pocket openings using scissors, sandpaper and a blade. Fraying and rips give the jacket that broken-in, DIY look.

Once all the paint is fully dry, I'll finish it off with a clear matte sealer spray to protect my work and prevent cracking or chipping over time.

Sewing On Patches and Attaching Buttons

The final step is attaching any patches and decorative buttons to finish the jacket. I'll sew the A Day To Remember logo patch onto the chest using a ladder stitch. This stitching blends into the fabric for a clean, subtle look.

Next, I'll use fabric glue to securely adhere the cool punk rock buttons along the front closure. The pyramid studs along the seams provide built-in stops to prevent the buttons from sliding around.

Gifting the Custom Jacket with Pride

After many hours of planning, preparing, painting and stitching, the custom A Day To Remember bomber jacket is now ready to gift! I packaged it up with tissue paper and a handwritten note for the big reveal.

Arnold was absolutely stoked when he received his one-of-a-kind fan jacket. The meaningful lyrics and nods to his favorite band make this custom piece feel so personal and special. His jacket turned out even better than I imagined!

Customizing clothing and accessories is such a fun way to celebrate fandoms and passions. The time invested makes handmade gifts extra meaningful. I can't wait for my next custom creation!

FAQs

What type of paint works best on fabric?

Acrylic fabric paint is the best choice for customizing jackets. Make sure to use fabric medium with acrylic paints to ensure flexibility. Textile inks are another good option for hand painting on fabric.

How do I get a distressed, worn-in look?

Use sandpaper, blades, scissors or even a wire brush to rough up areas of your jacket. Focus distressing on edges, seams, pockets and cuffs. Avoid over-distressing lightweight fabrics that can rip.

What sewing stitch should I use for patches?

A ladder stitch results in nearly invisible seams for applique patches. Work the needle in and out along the patch edge to secure it seamlessly to the fabric beneath.