Artificially distressed denim trousers have not gone out of fashion for many seasons in a row, and a large number of fashionistas spend a huge amount of time every day searching for them. It’s no secret that finding perfectly fitting jeans is a problem, and if you want to buy a ripped pair that fits perfectly and matches your wardrobe, this problem increases significantly.
What to do if you are desperate to find your fashionable torn jeans or don’t want to waste time looking for them at all? The answer is simple: make them yourself from existing denim trousers.
To make jeans ripped, you can cut holes in them with scissors, a razor or a knife, rub them with a grater, a file, pumice or sandpaper. It all depends on your idea, as well as the availability of certain tools at your home.
What will you need for work?
To create ripped jeans you will need:
- actually, the jeans that you decided to modify (it could be skinny, straight, flared or any other);
- sharp scissors, stationery knife or blade;
- tweezers;
- safety razor, grater, sandpaper or pumice (to create scuffs and uneven edges).
And:
- wooden block;
- any liquid bleach;
- gloves for working with bleach.
How to rip jeans in style?
To make ripped jeans, you need to decide on the shape and size of the holes, mark them on the fabric, and then make many cuts within the outlined areas and remove unnecessary threads.
The work looks like this step by step:
- We outline the contours of the proposed holes;
- We insert a wooden block or other durable backing into the leg (so that the cuts are made only from the front part of the jeans);
- Using a blade or a stationery knife (necessarily sharp), we make several cuts inside the marked area. In this case, the distance between the incisions can vary (from a few millimeters to 1 centimeter or more).
- Then carefully pull out the transverse (blue) threads from the material (leave the white warp threads). Let's try it on and evaluate the result in the mirror!
This procedure is shown in even more detail in the following video master class:
The edges of the resulting holes can be sewn with stitches (if desired, they can even be done with colored threads) or glued on the inside with glue so that they do not lose their shape and do not unravel in the future.
How to decorate jeans torn by yourself?
Whitening the borders of decorative holes
To make the edges of the hole (cut) brighter and more prominent, you can perform a bleaching procedure. To do this, the edges of the finished hole need to be treated with a special bleach or white, which can be purchased at a hardware store.
Creating abrasions along the contour of holes
If you want the decorative holes on your jeans to have a disheveled outline, you need to take sandpaper (or pumice) and rub the edges with force. This will make the holes more voluminous and achieve the desired fringe effect.
Decorating holes with lace or fabric
If you prefer more original solutions, you can combine the resulting holes with lace or contrasting fabric. To do this, you just need to hem or glue the selected material on the inside of the cuts, or put original patches on the front of the legs.
How to effectively age boyfriend jeans?
You can also make ripped boyfriend-style jeans with your own hands:
- Take chalk (a bar of soap or a pen), scissors and jeans that are 1-2 sizes too big for you (for a more casual effect, you can even buy them in the men's department).
- Put the jeans on yourself and circle with chalk or mark with a pen the places on the legs where the cuts will subsequently be made.
- Remove the trousers and use a utility knife or blade to make slits along the outlined contours (use a wooden block or board as you work so as not to cut through the back of the jeans).
- Now, with a sharp tool, pick up and carefully pull out the threads from the denim around and inside the finished cutouts (in bunches or one at a time) - this will make the holes on the pants more neat. If the material is dense, it is better to use tweezers.
If desired, you can additionally make through holes in your jeans by cutting out parts of the fabric and carelessly ruffling the outline of the cuts using a utility knife, razor, pumice stone or grater.
Fashionable boyfriend style jeans are ready!
If the denim trousers are not torn enough, you can try increasing the number of holes or experiment with their size by repeating the entire procedure from the beginning.
How to beautifully rip jeans at the knees?
One of the latest fashion trends is jeans that are torn or cut only at the knees. Moreover, the color of such denim trousers can be either very dark (black, dark blue) or light, and they themselves can be either super-tight or slightly loose.
The following video will tell you in detail how to make such stylish jeans at home:
How to make distressed jeans?
If ripped jeans are too extreme for you or you think they don't suit your age or spirit, but at the same time your soul requires experimentation: opt for distressed denim trousers!
You can easily make fashionable abrasions on the denim trousers of your choice at home yourself.
What will you need?
To work, you will need the same tools as for creating ripped jeans:
- pen or tailor's chalk;
- grater,
- pumice,
- fine-grained skin,
- a wooden block or other durable support.
Step-by-step instruction
- Before starting work, carefully inspect the legs, select and mark areas where future abrasions will be located.
- Insert a wooden or thick plastic backing into the leg (rubbing the jeans on yourself, as shown in the picture, is strongly not recommended to avoid damaging the skin of your legs!).
- Take a grater, pumice and sandpaper and use them to create abraded areas of the required intensity in the right places.
- Do the same with the second pant leg.
As you work, keep in mind that a grater gives the highest abrasive effect, pumice a little less, and fine-grained sandpaper the least. And remember that the main thing is not to overdo it, otherwise there may well be full-fledged holes in the place of the supposed abrasions.
You will learn a few more secrets of decorative aging of denim trousers from the following video:
- After the procedure, worn jeans should be washed. If after washing it turns out that the abrasions are not bright enough and do not stand out well against the general background, the aging effect can be enhanced by repeating the procedure from the beginning.
What to wear with ripped denim pants?
Ripped jeans are a truly versatile wardrobe item. They are able to organically fit into most modern clothing styles, with the exception of strict office and classic ones.
These trousers will perfectly complement a grunge or military look, add informality to a casual or street look, and are also indispensable when creating sports-style looks.
As for shoes, it’s much harder to think of what stylish ripped denim trousers won’t go with than what you can wear them with.
They go well with high-heeled pumps, sneakers, flip-flops, suede ankle boots and even heavy lace-up boots. It all depends on your character, physique, clothing preferences, imagination and where you are going to wear them.
The reasons that prompted you to create fashionable scuffs on your jeans can be very different. Whether it's trying to make your outdated pants more stylish or trying to give those accidentally torn jeans a second chance.
This must be done correctly! And how to achieve the effect of antiquity on jeans - perfectly new or well-worn - we will tell you in our article.
Watch the following video, which shows fairly easy ways to turn old jeans into fashionable ones.
Which jeans should be frayed?
If you think that absolutely any denim trousers are ready for such metamorphoses, you are mistaken. The list of prohibitions is small, but pay attention to it.
The following jeans should not be shredded:
- made from denim material that is too thin (will not hold its shape);
- made from highly stretch fabrics (they will quickly unravel and look completely sloppy);
- wide, shapeless, irrelevant style (even this stylish element will not make them fashionable).
As for the permitted material, any medium to high density denim is a win-win option.
It doesn’t matter which jeans you decide to cover with artificial abrasions – new or old. Their age and degree of wear will not make the task easier or more difficult. There is a lot of work to be done. And how exactly this happens, you will find out further.
Popular methods
There are many techniques and tricks to create a fashionable vintage effect on jeans. Let's look at the most popular and proven ones.
Option one - emery and tweezers
To use this method, prepare the following materials:
- a sheet of fine-grained sandpaper (if you don’t have it, you can replace it with a hard pumice stone or a fine kitchen grater);
- eyebrow tweezers (or a crochet hook - some find it more convenient to use);
- sharpened chalk (soap, or even a pencil/pen).
- Mark the places for future fashionable touches on your jeans. To do this, take chalk (soap/pen/pencil) and make marks in the appropriate places. In order not to make a mistake with the basting, you can put the jeans on yourself first. The ideal places would be those where the jeans themselves are most often wiped. Don't limit yourself to the front of your pants. Back pockets are also a great place for stylish distressed wear.
- Before actually making the abrasions as intended, it is advisable to moisten the jeans (wet them and squeeze them out). Therefore, it is best to make marks with a pen. Although crayons are also quite durable. Now you can go through the marked areas with sandpaper or a grater. If you want a more ragged effect, make a small cut in the middle of each mark.
- Now we use tweezers or a hook. Each abrasion must be treated as follows: gradually remove the transverse threads (blue) from them. In this case, it is important to leave all longitudinal threads (white) strictly in their places.
- The final stage of this metamorphosis of jeans is machine wash. She will bring the aging process to its logical conclusion.
How to make jeans with a worn effect using sandpaper, see the following video.
Option two – “Whiteness to the rescue”
This method implies that no physical violence will have to be applied to the jeans. The effect of abrasions will be achieved through an optical technique - bleaching some areas on the jeans fabric. And such art can be achieved by two different techniques.
Bleaching with a brush
For such a bold artistic experiment, stock up on the following tools:
- paint brush (No. 3 or No. 5, pony or squirrel - decide for yourself; an alternative tool is a regular dishwashing sponge);
- bleach;
- a piece of hard cardboard or plywood (to place jeans under the treated area);
- latex gloves.
When everything you need is ready, begin this creative process, following our instructions:
- In a basin, dilute the bleach with water in a 1:1 ratio.
- As soon as the locations of the “scuffs” to be made are outlined (for this you can use point 1 of the guide described above), place cardboard or plywood under them. These manipulations are precautionary measures (so that “scuffs” do not occur where they should not).
- Put on gloves and start applying the solution to your jeans using your chosen tool (brush or sponge).
- Know the maximum allowable exposure time for your fabrics to bleach. You will find all the necessary information on its packaging. And let the product stay on the jeans for the required time (according to the instructions).
- After the required period, rinse the pants thoroughly in cold water, then dry (it is better to use several rinses with intermediate and final spins in the washing machine). As a result, you should end up with jeans with a visual imitation of scuffs, but the integrity of the fabrics will remain intact.
- If you wish, you can combine this method with the option described earlier. In this case, disfigure the bleached areas of the jeans as shown in the instructions for the first method of making scuffs on jeans.
Watch a similar master class in the following video.
Another way to artificially age jeans using bleach is the clumping method.
This technique will help not only imitate scuffs, but also create a fashionable print around the perimeter of all jeans, on both sides!
You will need:
- medium size washing basin;
- bleach;
- hair bands (white);
- latex gloves.
The beauty of this method is that it can be called an alternative for the lazy. There is no need to outline or imagine anything here - everything is done “by eye”, because the beauty of such decor lies in abstraction and confusion.
The algorithm of actions is simple:
- Tie the jeans in a knot as shown in the photo. In some places, randomly pull small tufts of denim with elastic bands.
- Moisten the resulting package under clean running water.
- Wear rubber gloves and soak the jeans in a 1:1 mixture of water and bleach for as long as recommended.
- After the required time has passed, rinse the jeans under running water, gradually removing the elastic bands and straightening the knot. After this, rinse and dry in the machine.
- After drying, you will find jeans transformed beyond recognition!
For more details about the process, see the following video.
Anyone who will be making scuffs on jeans for the first time should familiarize themselves with these important recommendations:
- If you don't feel confident enough, practice on a scrap piece of jeans first. To fully get your hands on in this matter, you can buy a pair of unnecessary jeans at a second-hand store especially for such an occasion.
- During artificial aging, avoid processing jeans in the seam area - this can lead to them unraveling in the most inappropriate place.
- Scuff marks with bleach can be diversified by treating them with fabric paint. This guarantees an even more original and unique fashion effect.
- Vertical oblong abrasions can visually lengthen the legs and correct the figure.
- The frayed areas of your jeans need to be strengthened to make them last longer. To do this, treat them from the inside with non-woven fabric or any other soft adhesive fabric.
Ripped jeans continue their victorious march around the world, conquering everyone on their way: women and men, businesswomen and DIY lovers, show business stars and schoolgirls...
Everything is torn: flared jeans, skinny jeans, old-school banana jeans, boyfriend jeans - the fashion trend knows no limits!
Today, frayed and torn jeans are presented in the clothing lines of the most famous and most popular brands, and on the Internet they even offer to rip jeans to order (I, for example, found a whole group of ripped jeans fans on social networks), but we suggest you arrange your own fashion reprisal jeans!
How to tear jeans so that they look beautiful and don’t fall apart? What holes in jeans visually spoil your figure? How to make scuffs on jeans? If jeans are torn or frayed during wear, how can you stylishly revive them? What else can you do to upgrade ripped jeans? We have collected the most interesting ideas for you and, of course, many, many photos.
How to rip jeans at home
It happens that the desire to tear and throw (creatively, of course!) causes you to have specific jeans: they are too bland, the model is outdated, or the jeans were torn without your consent and now they need to be saved. But if you haven’t decided which jeans to remake, or maybe you’re just going to look for the perfect pair at the nearest second-hand store (by the way, I advise you to take the “first pancake” from this storehouse of clothes for DIY alterations), take a few simple tips:
- It is better to take jeans that are not too loose and not too tight;
- the most aesthetically pleasing (contrast of threads) tear is classic blue or blue denim;
- The currently popular elastic jeggings are unlikely to be torn beautifully if they have an elastane base (just look at the inside).
How to cut jeans: photos, instructions
In addition to the jeans themselves, we will need simple tools: a utility knife, a bottle or a piece of wood (put it inside so as not to inadvertently cut through the entire pant leg), nail scissors, a needle or pin. If you want to give the cuts a slight fraying and disheveled look (we will describe in detail how to beautifully rub jeans below), a pumice stone, a nail file, a stiff brush or a piece of sandpaper will also come in handy.
Measure seven times... Estimate by eye, or better yet, mark the boundaries of future cuts with chalk or a piece of soap. In order not to miss, put the jeans on yourself - this way you will be sure that the holes will be in the right places.
Remember that holes in jeans will attract the attention of others. If you are the owner of an appetizing figure, you should not make cuts on the “soft places”; limit yourself to neat cuts just above and below the knee. Elongated narrow holes along the central axis of the legs visually lengthen and slim the knives. Wide, torn holes just below the pockets will visually enlarge the hips.
...cut once. How to cut jeans so that you don’t regret it later? If you cut it hastily, you risk getting jeans that look untidy and even vulgar. Therefore, stock up on time and patience. It is better to start with a small incision, enlarging it if necessary.
If you decide to rip your jeans for the first time, it's a good idea to master the technique of separating the fibers from a piece of old denim.
So how do you rip jeans?
1. After we have marked where we will make the holes, we spread the jeans on a flat surface. We place a board under the cut site or insert a bottle into the pant leg (so as not to cut through the back) and use a utility knife (you can use a blade, but be careful) to make a neat cut. We cut strictly horizontally (take a closer look at the structure of the denim and move the knife along the transverse threads). A cut at an angle will damage the light threads, which as a result should cover our hole.
2. If you need a small hole-slit, carefully use tweezers so as not to tear it, release the light threads (this is where a needle comes in handy), tousle the blue ones with an old toothbrush; if they are too long, cut them.
3. If you want to make a bigger hole in your jeans, make a horizontal cut of the required length and parallel to it (a couple of centimeters higher or lower) another one. Place your fingers under the resulting loop and use tweezers to pull out the blue threads. In this way, you can make holes of different sizes on jeans, gradually increasing them, but do not overdo it.
Try on your jeans regularly to make sure everything goes according to plan. You can add shabbyness and grunge using a brush (walk along the contour of the cut) and bleach (apply along the contour and leave for half an hour), if everything suits you, put the jeans in the washing machine, it will give your ripped jeans a finished look.
If you decide to make a figured hole on your jeans, do not forget to secure the edges with non-woven fabric (from the inside) or sew along the contour, otherwise the figure will spread out during the first wash.
How to tear the knees of jeans
Noodle jeans (jeans with many parallel slits) have already become boring to me personally (excuse me, “noodle” fans!), but jeans with even slits at the knees are now at the peak of popularity.
If you want a large hole at the knees with white cross threads, use the method described above.
For example, I’m not ready to focus attention on my knees (and in the case of jeans that are severely torn at the knees, this will be the case), so I was more attracted to straight holes and slits.
Making them couldn’t be easier: put on jeans, draw a straight line on your knees with soap, take off the jeans and make a cut.
Here you can no longer monitor the smooth movements of the knife and, on the contrary, cut in jerks. Personally, I especially like black jeans with ripped knees, what about you?
By the way, the other day I met a guy on the street whose jeans had holes... on the inside of his knees! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to take a photo... ;)
How to make distressed jeans
Jeans are probably the only thing in a modern girl’s wardrobe that is deliberately given a “killed” look. Scuffs and slight fraying on the jeans will be a great addition to the holes that we have already made earlier. By the way, the idea of artificially aging jeans is not new; back in the 80s, our parents experimented with their jeans: they rubbed them with a grater, sand and bricks, hit them with stones, washed them in salt water and tea (for a rusty tint). I recommend using pumice or sandpaper.
How to make scuffs on jeans yourself
Yes, yes, pumice and sandpaper! And judging by the price tags for distressed jeans in stores, you can’t say that everything is so simple, right?
So, we proceed according to the already familiar scheme: we mark the areas where we will make abrasions, only we take not a knife, but a pumice stone, and begin to rub. If you want to make minor scuffs, you can even use a rough nail file.
To further lighten worn areas on jeans, use bleach (wet the desired areas and leave for 20 minutes).
If you want full grunge – both holes and scuffs, then it’s better to rub your jeans first and then tear them.
Don’t overdo it: if the fabric under the pumice gets too thin and tears, there won’t be a nice hole left, you’ll have to make a patch... We’ll talk about how to creatively patch jeans below.
Jeans are frayed: we save them beautifully
If your jeans fray when worn (along the crotch seam, on the inside of the thighs; for example, my jeans always rub in the folds under the knee), you can try returning them to your wardrobe!
There are several options for how to revive worn jeans: make a patch, appliqué, stitch thickly, or, if the place is suitable, make the wear stylish, a la “as intended.”
It is better to work with slightly damp jeans: textile dust will spread much less.
How to alter jeans
Ripping jeans and making scuffs are the simplest options for upgrading tired jeans. I’m sure that as soon as you see how your jeans will be transformed by these simple alterations, your hands will be itching to add something else.
Be careful, you may end up with a real designer piece using the following ideas! ;)
How to repurpose old jeans
If you are still ready to serve, but are already bored with your jeans, alteration is inevitable!
I suggest playing with different variations of patches and linings: denim in a contrasting color, coarse cotton with an interesting print, leather, lace.
All the techniques are ideal for remaking jeans with defects: you can “hide” both a stain and a hole!
I would especially like to note the “hole+colored patch+elements of simple embroidery” technique. By the way, you can save holey jeans! This alteration of old jeans will take you no more than half an hour.
Worn jeans never go out of style, and their prices are always quite high. How to make distressed jeans at home? This requires a little patience and the simplest tools.
How to make distressed jeans at home
Ways to transform jeans
There are three ways to achieve the desired result:
- mechanical - involves exposing the fabric to abrasive means: friction with sandpaper, pumice, or a piece of red brick;
- chemical - based on bleaching fabric with products containing chlorine;
- thermal - is a long-term boiling of trousers with bleaching agents.
All methods require a little special preparation. You will need:
- abrasives of your choice (it is better to combine several);
- a board whose width should correspond to the width of the trouser leg;
- any product containing chlorine is better in gel form;
- old toothbrush;
- piece of chalk;
- water;
- large capacity for digestion;
- bleach that is suitable for boiling.
Place all these devices on the table so that they are at hand at all times.
How to make jeans distressed: technological process
Before you start, decide where you need to lighten the color of the fabric. To do this, put on your trousers and use chalk to mark the areas of future abrasions. Please note that vertical spots visually narrow the leg, while horizontal spots widen it.
- Take off your trousers and insert a board inside the trouser leg. Wet areas of future abrasions. Sand them with fine sandpaper. Try to operate along the entire perimeter of the intended area. You can first treat the area with pumice and then correct it with sandpaper. Very impressive abrasions can be achieved using a piece of red brick. This technique looks very natural.
- When choosing a chemical method, dilute bleach with water in a 1:1 ratio in a small container. Then apply the solution to the fabric using a toothbrush. Don't forget to put a board under the fabric so as not to lighten other areas of the trousers. Processing time depends on the speed of onset of the effect. The lightening reaction occurs before the eyes.
- If you want to get the “boiled” effect, you can tie the legs with strong knots and pull the fabric with threads, creating a cobweb. After this, the trousers are boiled in a container with bleach for several hours. This method is suitable for a global transformation of trousers.
Be sure to wear gloves to protect your hands from injury or burns.
Jeans are the most popular thing in the world. They wear them to work, on a date, for a walk, to the country house... In general, their functional component and importance in a modern wardrobe is great. And, of course, it’s already very difficult to get by with just one pair. I recommend that young girls and ardent fashionistas always have distressed jeans in reserve; they fit perfectly into everyday style. If you don’t already have these in your wardrobe, you can make them from an old pair. It is in this article that I will tell you how to make frays on jeans. Enjoy watching!
How to create rips on jeans
Let's look at two of the easiest ways to create frayed jeans.
Method 1. Before starting the procedure, place plywood between the back and front of the jeans under the future abrasion areas. Select a fine-grit sandpaper, wet the area of the jeans where the scuff marks are expected, and then use the sandpaper to rub it down. Be careful not to apply too much force and also not to catch the seam. The full result can be assessed on dry jeans. 
Method 2. More accurate abrasions can be made using pumice for the feet. In areas of future abrasions, rub vigorously with a pumice stone; the same sandpaper will help to consolidate the result, but be careful, because the tissue after pumice will become thinner and more sensitive. 
To enhance the effect of scuffs, use white, apply it to the necessary places and use according to the instructions. By the way, white may be the most inexpensive, it doesn’t matter. 
Distressed jeans will add some flair to them, so feel free to do them either way. The video below shows instructions on how to make rips on jeans.