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My bleached jeans project

MsMary

Veteran

I was quite taken with the runway shot of the bleached-on-the-bottom jeans when I saw it a while back, and I was REALLY REALLY taken with our own nicoleb's interpretation of it! So I decided to do it myself!

Although Nicole said it took her only a few minutes in the bleach to get the desired shade, I have been messing around with a sink full of bleach for the past TWO DAYS! As you can see from photo 5, there are still a few darker spots on the jeans, but all in all I am SUPER happy with how it turned out! Especially the rear view!

I loved how Nicole paired her bleached shorts with the orange-and-black top, so I dug around and found the orange (even though it looks red in the photos, it's orange) Forever 21 sweatshirt I wore for my tap dance performance last Thanksgiving. I actually think it's perfect because Lord knows, this is a verra verra casual look! (And I'd consider it a personal favor if none of you reported me to the Age Appropriateness Police. kthxbai)

(The sweet kitty in photos 6 and 7 is Galadriel, who was very interested in the whole process!)

Any other styling ideas? Especially since I'm not sure I'd wear this particular getup out of the house! LOL

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33 replies

Latest reply was from nicoleb

MNsara

Veteran

Yes, yes that rear view is killer!! They turned out so cool, MaryK Love them with the orange top too.

What a way to give a new life to old jeans. I bet those assorted remaining spots were some sort of stains that you didn't see in the blue?

I'm amazed at how much the legs look like regular white jeans. Does the fabric still seem sturdy enough?

MsMary

Veteran

Yeah, the fabric seems to have suffered no ill effects from 36 hours or so in bleach! LOL

Good point about the spots being maybe stains. I'm not going to sweat it. They're kind of faded blue so I think it's okay for this (one more time) verra verra VERRA casual look.

MNsara

Veteran

Question: seeing your pic, is that how far you dunked them over the two days and the bleach crept up to the butt, or did you dunk them further, or . . . ??

I really want to try this and I know now not to use the kitchen sink if it may take two *days*. . .

Patty

Veteran

THAT ROCKS MK!!
How's the thread colour--looks still yellow ----I have chosen the jeans I want to do (since they already have a bleach stain and wondered about the thread colour --but I like how your's came out! High pitch witchy cackle from me !!!!
So did the bleach creep from where we see the pants in the tub all the way to the crotchal area or did you reorient until you got it to where you want it?
Bet your house smelled like the "Y" all day!?

MsMary

Veteran

Sara, that's why it took two days -- I kinda had to do it twice. I originally dunked them as you see in photo 4, and wasn't happy with the result after the overnight it took to get all the color out, because (a) it wasn't even because of the folding -- it came up higher in the crotchal area than on the thighs, and (b) it didn't come up far enough overall.

So I ended unfolding them and arranging them in the sink so the waistband and the part that is still blue was standing up out of the bleach solution. Does that make sense? When you dunk 'em, don't fold 'em -- arrange them as straight as you can in the solution. Ideally you'd hang them over the bathtub or a bucket or something so that just the right amount is submerged.

So it took two overnights but I think the do-over was worth it -- I really like the bleach coming halfway up the rear pockets.

And yes, the thread is still beautifully yellow!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

WHOO! That looks really awesome! How did you wash all the bleach out of the jeans afterwards without the bleach running up to the blue part?

MsMary

Veteran

Nicole said vinegar would stop the bleaching process, so I moved them into the other side of the sink in a vinegar/water solution before I put 'em in the washing machine.

Also, something about the dye on these particular jeans was not all that susceptible to the bleach so I had a lot of margin for error. You know how some jeans can be ruinied with just one errant drop of bleach? Not these -- as I said, it took probably 12 hours to get them bleached white. In fact, at first I thought it wasn't going to work at all because the dye came out verrrrrrry sloooooooowly.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

Hmm; I have some old jeans. I just need to get some bleach

Patty

Veteran

And now for a word on safety: DO NOT MIX BLEACH AND VINEGAR TOGETHER!
******For domestic use the dangers are too great. When acids are mixed with bleach chlorine gas is given off. This is quite toxic and can be a considerable health risk.

One lady who tried this as a child spent days coughing and choking afterwards and felt lucky to have fully recovered from the effects after a few weeks.
( http://www.greenfootsteps.com/.....leach.html)**********
Thank you!
You may now return to your regularly scheduled program>>>>>>>>>>

rae

(website)

Veteran

Huh. I like these even better than the shorts. It combines the benefits of white jeans with the benefits of a darker colored jean backside *and* makes the whole look edgier/less preppy. Dang. Now I'll have to find some jeans to attack.

MsMary

Veteran

Wow! I knew about not mixing bleach and ammonia, but I had no idea about bleach and vinegar! Thanks, Patty!

MNsara

Veteran

Thanks, Patty! I had forgotten all about that - so make sure things are well ventilated because the jeans will still be damp from the bleach water.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You just won the next YLF award for being daringly crafty and for introducing us to kitty.

Patty

Veteran

Your welcome--safety first coz only you can prevent forest fires. (Sorry-I'm having a real dumb day today)
I seem to remember an episode of the old paramedic series "Emergency" or maybe it was "CHiPs" that had to do with bleach and cola that didn't end well either.

I can't wait to do mine-----and I get a clean tub too!!!

RandomThoughts (Andrea)

Veteran

Wow, MK, very cool! I think I will have to try this!

Louise

Veteran

This is soooo cool x

ETA- I just spotted pretty kitty cat in the corner, I was so overwhelmed by your fabness I missed the cat on the first look!!!! x

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

MaryK, I saw the real ones in person at the NYC bloomie's. I must say, I prefer your pair! Great bleach job!

Queen Mum

Veteran

wow!

just wow!

off to see if I have any jeans that are in need of an overhaul.

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

Nice job!

Jonesy

Veteran

Dries van Noten in the house! I love these, MaryK. They look very coooool. As I mentioned on Nicole's thread, I have seen a few bloggers bleach the sleeves of their denim jackets (up to the bottom of the elbow), then scrunch up the sleeves. It's a very cool look. You could have a whole bleached denim suit :)!

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Now I HAVE to try this. Ack!

Marley

Veteran

Headed up to my closet to see if I have a pair of jeans that I am willing to "sacrifice" for the cause - because I know that it will take me a couple of tries (pairs of jeans) to get it right! LOVE it - and you look very age appropriat to me.

Heather

Veteran

Brilliant. You may make me a pair, too. HA.

p.s. I thought the same as Patty about your house smelling like the "Y" then I also freaked out about mixing all those liquids together (thanks Patty)....I am not allowed to use chemicals...I can't be trusted.

sarah

Veteran

You definitely win the "having fun with fashion" award, Mary - what a hoot! I think they're very cool.

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

(I am not commenting on this thread too 'coz you'll think I'm stalking you.)

Queen Mum

Veteran

hmm, how do you all think a denim skirt would look trying this?

Diana

Veteran

Sooo cool! I am really tempted to try this too although I'm not sure I need a line going right across my widest part (hips and thighs).... I do have some pairs of old jeans and cutoffs I could play with though... and I suppose if I don't like the look I could always bleach the rest of them to get white jeans (since I never did find any that passed the see-through test).

Queen Mum, I love the idea of a bleached denim skirt! I think that would probably be more flattering on me... unfortunately I don't think I have one lying around that I'm willing to sacrifice.

Aida

Veteran

Neato! Styling ideas: crisp shirt+blazer+heels; striped tee+floppy hat+sandals; tank+vest+sandals; bright button-up+heels; fitted sweater+cropped jacket+heels.

Girl X

(website)

Veteran

I did this with a jean jacket once (back in the day!) and to neutralise the bleach I just poured hydrogen peroxide directly on it - about a half bottle, then tossed it in the laundry with my whites and it was fine.

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