{DIY} Distressed Boyfriend Jeans

April 24, 2014
diy distressed boyfriend jeans
Distressed or not, boyfriend jeans are definitely in style right now! But why spend a ton of money on them when you can make a pair yourself? note: if boyfriend jeans aren’t your style, use this tutorial to distress any pair that is!

This tutorial is super easy, I promise.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • A pair of jeans- these can be your “fat pants,” an old pair you’ve been meaning to get rid of, a thrifted pair, or whatever!
  • A razor or box knife
  • Cardboard
  • Sandpaper
  • Tweezers {optional}
I thrifted a few pairs of jeans on a sale day at Goodwill for this project. I chose a bootcut style in a size larger than I would usually wear. (I suggest trying this tutorial on a pair of jeans you aren’t in love with… unless you’re totally confident in your DIY skills!)

Step 1: Fit your cardboard into the leg of your jeans {so you don’t cut through both sides, or cut your surface!}

how to distress jeans with a razor
Easy enough, right?

Step 2: Score fabric horizontally where your distressing is intended {do this in patches in as many or as few as you would like}

Here’s a tip- start small! You can always add more later, but you can’t take back any cuts once they’re made. Unless of course you are going for a really intense distressed look… then by all means slice away!

Step 3: Sand your scored patches to loosen the fibers of the fabric {horizontal strokes are most effective} 

You want to roughen up the fibers, the more loose they are the easier step 4 will be.

Step 4: Remove blue fibers to reveal white, stringy, distressed patches. {This is where the tweezers could come in handy} 

I didn’t use tweezers personally, I was able to pull the blue fibers out in chunks thanks to my heavy sanding in step 4.

Step 5: Wash your jeans to loosen up the distressed patches and to remove any excess loose blue fibers.

This step will really loosen the fibers some more, and from here I find it easier to decide if I need to roughen the up a little more.

Then you are done! I told you it was easy, just style as desired!
Let me know how it worked out for you!
Rachael

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  • Amber April 25, 2014 at 12:09 pm

    What a super great idea!!! Love this tutorial!!

    Amber
    Fashion, Floss and Lip Gloss

  • Unknown April 26, 2014 at 9:17 am

    This post couldn't have come at the perfect time! I found the perfect boyfriend fit at old navy but they weren't distressed at all so I put them back….guess I know what I'll be doing this weekend 😉 Great Tip!
    ~Jamie

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