Denim jeans are versatile and timeless. They proceed with simply everything and present a savvy selection for nearly any occasion. This summer, it is about the effortless cool of distressed denim. But if locating the best fitting pair wasn’t hard enough on its own, finding one that is also pre-distressed is a much harder task and might burn a significant hole in your pocket. Thus, to keep your stress levels at bay and save you yet another disappointing visit to the shops, we have assembled an easy ten-step guide on how to distress a pair of jeans in your time.
Tools You Will Need
There are a couple things you will have to distress a pair of jeans in the home. Most of which you could already have in your household staple. The whole procedure requires the following items: a pair of old denim jeans, gardening gloves, a pen, a box cutter, a magazine or cardboard, scissors, and a one-way razor and also access to a washing machine and drier. You ought to be able to buy anything missing from the local chemist or DIY store.
How to Make Distressed Jeans
Feeling crafty yet? Well, you should, since in the event that you’ve made it this far, you are now only ten steps from a brand-new (old) set of jeans. We hope you are as excited as we are. There’s not anything like the satisfaction of making something with your hands, is there?
# Step 1
Search the widths of your clothing repertoire for a acceptable set of denim jeans. If this is the first time DIYing, perhaps don’t go straight for your favourite ones, but try yourself on a less adored pair. In case you have problems deciding which pair to sacrifice, you might also check any second-hand shop to purchase one.
# Measure Two
Get your jeans! No, literally. Put them on. Doing this will help you figure out the areas you’d like to distress. To maintain a somewhat natural look, you would like to target areas that typically wear out over time. On denim jeans, this typically affects the knees, thighs, buttocks and hems. Once you’ve decided where you need to place your cuts, you can use a pencil to mark the area with a couple lines.
# Step 3
Set a magazine or part of cardboard in the pant leg you will take care of. This way, you will not just avoid inadvertently cutting through both fabric layers, but you’ll also help to maintain an even surface during the process.
# Measure 4
Safety first! If you are working with a single blade, you should use gloves to minimise any potential danger. Gardening gloves present a fantastic alternative, since they’re made from strong material.
# Step 5
Take your cutter and gently start slitting your jeans. Begin at the base line you’ve drawn before, all of the way to the top line, leaving approximately half an inch in-between every sliced. Now you can get creative. The slits can be as short and or long as you would like, just make sure not to cut through a seam, as your pants may begin unravelling.
# Measure 6
Once you’ve created enough slits, it’s time to bring some more detail. Utilize your blade to lightly scrape along the top of your front and back pockets. Be mindful to not cut all of the way through the fabric. Whatever you want to achieve is a ‘roughed up’ look.
# Step 7
To intensify this effect further, you can use a pair of scissors to trim parts of the very best seams around the waistline, pockets and bottom hemline.
# Measure 8
To add the finishing touch, use a one-way razor to shave bits of cotton off the edges and pockets around the waist. Doing this will lighten the color and gently distress the cloth in those spots. Be mindful not to shave off too much in more fragile areas, as the denim can tear away as soon as you put it on.
# Step 9
Time to give them a good clean. To include a natural appearing frizz to the edges of the regions you just prepped, set your jeans to the washing machine, followed by a session at the drier. Repeat this procedure one more time and voila — your masterpiece is finished!
# Step 10
Show off your jeans to your pals. This look is easily dressed up with a white coat with a blazer, light coat or leather jacket. Alternatively, dress down the look using a t-shirt along with also a pair of white sneakers. Most of all, make it completely your own.