How to Distress Denim Jeans
June 11, 2010 8:23 amI’ve had some old jeans that I was going to throw away that I thought I’d try distressing. It’s a trend that’s always in style- and EXPENSIVE! I’ve never bought ripped up jeans because they’re always so expensive or they look to calculated in their distressing. So I looked it up and chose a couple different methods I’ll show you so you can tear up your own jeans!
Here’s how:
Think about natural areas you’d se distressing: knees, upper highs, pockets, belt loops, around the hem…
After you’re satisfied with the look, give them a wash. They will look MORE distressed after washing them.
Voila! Here’s what I love about distressed jeans. You can wear them laid back like this look. I have it here on my sister with a flannel and leather hightops.
I also rolled them up at different heights.
Then you can take it to a totally different level by pairing it with heels, a plain white tank and a black blazer.
It’s still classic and chic, with an edge!
I have another pair that I’m working on. I’d love to hear any other tips you have, too!
Tags: denim, distressing, jeans, refashion, torn jeans, tutorial
Posted in refashions, Uncategorized, women's clothing | 15 Comments »
By Alida@IMakeStuff on Jun 11, 2010 | Reply
I love to drip little dots of bleach on them as well. I have several jeans re-do projects on my blog, here is a link to my fave:
http://imakestuff4fun.blogspot.com/2010/03/jeans-resurrection-part-4-jean.html
By Craftmaker on Jun 11, 2010 | Reply
They look great! I’m defeinitely gonna try to make this soon.
By Justine on Jun 11, 2010 | Reply
this is a good project for some faded pair of jeans. I also think it looks kinda funny with it rolled up at different lengths. Maybe it is just me. Or maybe it just looks better in person when it is less noticeable.
By Heather on Jun 11, 2010 | Reply
Awesome! I love the look of these, I did some a while back using a electric nail filer rotary (like what they use to file arylic finger nails), or even small hand sander… it works perfectly! Distresses the top layers of denim but leaves the white threads perfectly intact to keep it from ripping further…
By Lila on Jun 12, 2010 | Reply
Hmmm, off to my kids closet, how cute would they be as cut-offs on a toddler? Thanks for the tips!
By Julia on Jun 13, 2010 | Reply
Oh how I wish I had jeans that I wanted to tear apart! Great idea!
By Alex on Jun 15, 2010 | Reply
I use a cheese grater to distress denim!
The part on the back of it that’s used to get the zest of oranges/lemons etc is the most effective.
Also, if you don’t have any of your own jeans that you can bear to rip apart, go to an opshop/thrift shop and you can pick up a pair for less than $10
By Bonnie on Jun 15, 2010 | Reply
I’m going to distress my jeans as soon as I get home. Quick questions the sneakers that are worn in the photo, where did she get those? I want them sooo bad.
By Nicole on Jun 16, 2010 | Reply
OMG! Where are these shoes from? They are SOOO cute! the black heels- MUST HAVE!
thanks!
Nicole
By Alexis on Jun 16, 2010 | Reply
The leather shoes are from a local boutique a few years ago and the black ones are from shoe dazzle. Both are my sisters!
By kudzu on Aug 25, 2010 | Reply
hey…i’d love to try this. i want to make a couple jean skirts, but thought they needed to look a little more worn. this will be good practice
kudzu
By kudzu on Aug 29, 2010 | Reply
Hi..I’m back..I hope you don’t mind if I link to you on my blog about this project! I tried it out today and had a great time, and my granddaughter loved them! Too bad I didn’t get an action shot of her wearing them..but I got before and after pics. Thank You!
kudzu
http://www.kudzukween.blogspot.com
By Laura on Jan 31, 2011 | Reply
Thanks for the tip! I tripped and ripped a pair of “Seven” jeans to the point that I can’t wear them – but if I distressed them more, then I can!
p.s. – your sister should be a model.
By Denim jeans on Mar 8, 2012 | Reply
Really cool.I love the look of these.
By Ron H on Mar 14, 2013 | Reply
Fingernail file boards work really well for distressing. You can highlight a natural fold line by duplicating the fold and running a file board along the line on both sides of the fold. You don’t have to go at it very hard, as the look will be enhanced considerably during washing. Just lay the file on the fold, put your finger on the backside of the file so it puts the pressure on the very top of the fold, and run the file along the fold 3 or 4 times on each side.
Experiement so you can easily gauge the needed pressure vs. strength of the effect. Buy some denim at a fabric store for testing various techniques without having to chance ruining a pair of real jeans.