How To Make Distressed Jeans

Instead of buying a bunch of new jeans, learn how to make distressed jeans so that you can use the ones you already have. Many people don’t want to pay good money for jeans that are already ripped and torn, but they want to keep up with all of the current trends. By learning how to distress your own jeans, you will be able to extend their life through another round of fashion trends. When you distress your own jeans it allows you the freedom to create the designs and textures of your choice.

To distress jeans, you will need:

• Sand paper
• Razor blades
• Bleach
• Rubber gloves
• Sponge
• Stones or rocks
• Files or wood rasps

1. Bleach. Not only can bleach lighten the color of jeans, but it can also lower the integrity of the denim. Before using bleach you will want to put on some rubber gloves. Bleach is rough on the hands and is very drying. Pour some bleach into a disposable container. Dip the sponge into the bleach and rub across the denim. It may talk a few minutes before you notice and lightening affect of the material. For a less dramatic lightening effect, mix the bleach with some water before applying to the fabric. For a more even all over lightening, put bleach in a spray bottle and mist.
2. Holes. You can use anything to cut holes in the jeans. Scissors, knives and razors will make clean cuts that should be roughed up around the edges to look more natural. To rough up the edges, use the abrasives listed below.
3. Abrasives. Abrasives are used to rough up the edges of cuts made by the scissors, knives, or razors. Abrasives are also used to distress jeans without making holes in them. Uses the rocks and stones by rubbing them against the denim to break the fibers without cutting through the material. Sandpaper and wood rasps will also have the same affect but have a different appearance.