Question about distressing jeans

Marlene

One of the items on my fall wish list is a pair of distressed jeans. I'm having a terrible time finding distressed jeans this year. Actually, I am finding it hard to find jeans that are distressed AND fit me. So I'm thinking about distressing some jeans I already have. Has anyone had any success doing this? I've been surfing around but before I start sanding my pants, I was looking for helpful hints.

12 years ago

General

9 replies

Latest reply was from Marlene

Joan Joplin

Active Member

I bleached a few pairs of mine and it worked well. They didn't get ruined or burned up or whatever. I put them in a clear bucket with a mixture if water and Clorox. One third Clorox to two thirds water, roughly, but I started with less bleach and increased slowly. You can also sand parts of them first, so they'll absorb the bleach better and be rougher. Or you could lay them out on the lawn and apply the bleach in patches. (Note: do any bleaching of jeans outside, lest your home smell like Eau de Clorox for a month.)

12 years ago

Jjsloane

Veteran

I think I've seen people use all sorts of tools and sandpaper, even drag them behind cars (we used to do this with our bikes). I think the trick to authenticity is to focus on areas that would wear naturally (stress points like knees, near pockets and belt loops, seat) Maybe pop them on and rub those bits against the concrete (or sandpaper). Otherwise send them to me and I'll have my 8 year old son wear them around to split the knees for you! He's very good at it.

12 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

I just tried some yesterday.... all i have to say is dont try to use RIT color remover! I thought it would be gentler than bleach and I didnt want to mess with anti-clor to stop the blach action when it was light enough. But all the RIT color remover did was lift the indigo and make it into a lovely dye bath so the previously distressed parts of my jeans (cuffs, sanding in the legs) are now all a *nice* uniform medium blue. And it seems to be very well bonded now.... I think I am going to pass on ruining anymore pairs in DIY projects.

YES, for cheese grater, fine sanding, blade to selectively destroy areas but if you want any color change just say no. Start with jeans the color/fade you want... then add distressed details.

12 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I tried the cheese grater on an older pair of Levi's last year, to little effect. Luckily, I spied a perfect pair of distressed jeans on a bar customer and she told me they were Vigoss, available at Nordie's. Affordable, too. Saved me!

12 years ago

amiable

Veteran

Heh Sara A. I had the same experience last year.

12 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

Oh Ami! How I wish I would have know TWO days ago... Did you keep yours? I am wondering if I keep and wear for yard work if eventually washing them enough will help them for become more of what I want.... Although the chemistry of it doesnt make me think there is much hope.

12 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Cut them off into shorts, maybe, Sarah?

12 years ago

Sarah A

Veteran

yes that Suz,, or I am considering doing a dip bleach where I make a good bit leg white (using actual bleach, but I worried this could disolve some of the distressed point into nothing), or maybe black for an ombre look (perhaps safer for the fabric integrity).

I could of course cut them off after that attempt if it fails...

sorry for the thread jack

12 years ago

Marlene

Veteran

I've read on several DIY sites that you should start with the color you WANT since it is so hard to fade things down to the desired level. I guess that some of you have confirmed this

I have put this project on hold for the time being until I find the right jeans to distress. Although I think I may hit up value village to pick up some pairs that I can practice on

12 years ago

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