I found this really cute video on YouTube of a do it yourself hair accessory featuring denim. If you have an old pair of jeans that you no longer want, or even just some scraps of denim lying around, then you can turn them into sweet bows to wear in your hair. I’m sure this is a younger readers DIY as the bows do look quite cute and girly. They seem really easy to make, all you need is denim, a needle and thread, some scissors and a bobby pin. You can watch the video above to see how they are made with a step by step guide, but in short terms, this is what you do:

You cut a rectangle of denim fabric and over stitch each side so it doesn’t fray. You then fold it in half so both ends meet in the middle and run a stitch down the middle to keep the two ends secure. You then put a forward stitch down the middle as well and pull on the thread so it makes the denim ruched together. Then you take a thin strip of denim to wrap around the middle to hide the stitching and ruched area and secure it with a stitch on the back. The last part is the easiest, you just slide the bobby pin through the back and you are good to go! What do you think of these little hair bows? I think they could be quite fun to make, especially around the holidays in spare time!

I thought it would be great to put together a post which has quite a few ways to distress your jeans. Instead of creating my own long video with many ways, which would be quite time consuming, I have been scouring YouTube for a while to find informative videos which will help you in your DIY distressing. I’ve found many different ways, some including even running over your jeans with a car, however I haven’t included extravagant tutorials like that, I have included simple and easy to do videos below. You can also see my video round up of general denim DIY here.

This video I found the most interesting. I have seen it before and I think I made a post on it a long time ago, however the post wasn’t for this purpose. These jeans are raw and it reminds me a lot of the process I went through with my customizing challenge. Sandpapering the creases are a very good way of making natural and authentic looking fades, as that’s where the jeans naturally fall. Then sanding lightly over the entire jean adds that worn in look and if you sand the belt loops, pockets and zipper fly that also creates a worn in feel. I am not fond of the circle or the bleach spots he created in this video, but the sanding is one of the easiest and cheapest methods you can do to really make your jeans look worn in and distressed. He didn’t create any distressed holes in this video, however you can easily do so by watching some of the others below.

I know these jeans are created into a pair of shorts, however the concept is equally the same. She used sandpaper on the tougher edges to roughen them up a bit and the best way for making actual small distressed holes is by making slits where you want them and then putting them in the washing machine and dryer. Washing the jeans loosens up the fabric threads so they begin to fall out a little bit and then the chucking around inside the dryer pulls the threads out so they end up looking frayed. This is the easiest way to do it if you just want minimally frayed edges of the slits you created. It works well for shorts as the hemline which you chopped becomes really frayed as well. It’s not the most ideal way though if you want a big destructed hole, this method is better for minimal wear and tear.

Now this video above is very useful if all you have lying around is a razor blade or scalpel. This method works really well for getting that look of vintage holes in your jeans with the white threads still showing through, so it’s not a complete hole. I love this type of distressing the most as it doesn’t show so much skin and it makes the jeans look roughed up and really worn in. To create this look, the razor blade isn’t the only option, I will show you other ways in a minute, but it’s definitely an easy way. You can see that she creates white thread holes really fast just by slicing the fabric and then scratching away at the dark blue threads. I know this method will sometimes actually cut some of the white threads and not leave them very neat, it also wont leave the overall hole shape tidy either, but it’s good for getting the more vintage and carefree look.

This video is fairly short and it shows you just purely how to create the holes with the white thread still showing. Instead of using a razor blade like the above video, she used a pair of tweezers, scissors and a needle. However from experience you don’t always need the needle, depending on the denim you have. After you make your slits in the denim, if you just tug at them a little bit to separate the blue and white threads, you can then start wiggling the blue threads loose as you pull them out with the tweezers. By doing this all the way along the 2 slits, it takes out every blue thread and just leaves the white ones. It’s a long and monotonous process, but this is usually the result you get on your shop bought distressed jeans and it’s actually very easy to do.

Now this video above is another way to create the white thread holes, however it’s different to all the other methods I have seen before. Instead of creating slits and working within them, she cuts a hole and starts pulling the white threads loose instead of the blue and then chopping away the blue fray afterwards. I think this way creates more natural looking holes as it’s not working within pre cut slits, it’s going with the natural lines of the denim, however it’s a much longer and time consuming process it seems. I haven’t personally tried it myself, but I think I will. I do quite like the shape of the holes when they are done, rather than them just being squares.

So anyway, these are 5 of the best videos that I come across on YouTube when I was searching for over an hour and I think they highlight all of the different ways you can distress your denim. From minimal fraying to distressed holes and even fading, I think there are plenty of tips and ideas you can take away from this post for your own distressed denim DIY! I know it gave me new inspirations for my DIY that I like to do on my jeans! How many of you actually DIY your own jeans?

I have been wanting to do an ombre/dip dye denim DIY for quite some time now. I bought the fabric dye a couple of weeks ago and finally had some time to do it on Sunday. It took much longer than I expected, mainly due to the waiting times, but I didn’t even notice the time going by I was having that much fun.

I put a video together (which you can see above) of the entire process I went through and you can see the finished result below. I’m actually really happy with how these shorts came out. This was my first time actually doing the ombre technique and it went much better than I expected. I had been going through the process in my head for a while and thinking about what exactly I needed to do, and I don’t think it could have gone any better. I also show a sweater/jumper in the video which I did in the process and I love how that turned out too!

It does say to use gloves while handling the dye, but I don’t like how rubber gloves feel on my skin, so I never used them. I would recommend that you do though because the tips of my fingers are still partially stained blue right now and I can’t get it off, ha ha. I would also recommend wearing an apron or really old clothing in case you spill some dye on yourself. Luckily I didn’t get any on my clothes as I was really careful.

The dye packet also recommends that you wash the items after you have finished dying them, but I haven’t done that to mine yet. I think I am going to give them a much bigger rinse under water to be absolutely sure that there is no dye leaking before washing them. Otherwise it’s likely it will fade up into the white areas and I don’t want that to happen. So what do you think of my finished DIY ombre dip dye shorts? Have you done it yet?

Denim DIY is a great way to save loads of money on the latest denim trends as well as making your pieces completely unique and personal. I try to do DIY as much as I can, when I have the time, because I always have creative ideas and designs that I would love to implement on my denim.

I thought it might be fun to put together my top 5 YouTube videos for denim DIY! These are all top rated and highly viewed videos that I found when scanning YouTube today for DIY ideas to share with you all. There are 6 different types of DIY here, bleaching/ombre, making denim shorts, studding, lace inserts, aztec inserts and waxing. There are lots of videos all over YouTube showcasing these styles in many ways, but I thought it made more sense to include different videos rather than a few of the same. So click this post to watch some tutorials and get creative!
 

DIY Bleached Distressed Denim Shorts

You might want to skip this video to about a minute in as it’s quite long and the tutorial doesn’t start until about 2 minutes, but it’s a really great video. It shows you how to make denim shorts, fray the hems, make distressed holes and bleach/dye your shorts as well. It’s really helpful and full of great advice! I loved this video once the DIY started!

DIY Shoulder Studded Denim Jacket

This is a quicker and much simpler/easier denim DIY that anyone can do. It shows you how to stud your denim jacket with spikes. I have done this before on my denim shirts and it’s really easy! It’s probably a great one to start with as all you need is a denim jacket and the studs which you can buy online or at a craft store.
 

DIY Denim Lace Inset Shorts

I thought this video was so creative! It’s a way that you can really make your denim shorts more feminine and pretty. Adding something simple like lace at the outerseams makes them so unique. It seems really easy to do, but does involve quite a lot of sewing. It’s definitely something I want to try out though!
 

DIY Aztec Print Denim Shorts

I loved these finished shorts when I saw them! The aztex fabric they used is beautiful! It’s so bright and bold that it really does jazz up your shorts. You only need a few basic things, plus a glue gun, and then you can get started. Again I think it’s an easier one that can be done by anyone, so you might want to try this out!
 

DIY How To Wax Your Jeans

This video was something different to most, it shows you how to wax your jeans. It’s one of the easiest things you can do, all you need is a bar of wax and a pair of dark washed jeans. You can save loads of money by doing this DIY and not have to shell out for a pair of leather looking jeans or pre-waxed jeans that you have had your eye on. I definitely want to try this too!

A cute little shop almost hidden in the busy streets of Downtown Los Angeles, resides Den.m Bar. A custom denim shop where you can get fitted and customize your own pair of jeans made to order right in the heart of Los Angeles. The space is simplistic with white walls, sewing machines and seamstresses right in the store, fabric rolls of quality denim, hanging patterns, and accessories for you to pick from to make your jeans truly unique. An overall pleasant place to be.  I was invited to come check it out and get fitted for my own pair of denim (which I could not be more excited about) and I couldn’t wait to share my experience with all you denim fanatics.

I walked in and was greeted by Steven, one of the founders and we got started right away. We went step by step around the store, each time I was able to pick what I wanted for my new pair of jeans. We started off with shape…for women you have a choice of skinny or skinny straight and for men you have a choice of skinny or slim tapered. I of course chose skinny because I have yet to find a pair of skinny jeans to fit my short legs and small rise. Next was denim choice, they offer everything from super strong (and a bit rough) Cone denim, made in North Carolina, to soft and stretchy denim from Kurabo, Japan (for all the types of denim they use go here). I chose the Nisshinbo Fabric which is from Japan which has a weight of 13.5 oz, so that I can dress it up or dress it down, a great pair for any occasion.

Stitching, buttons and pocket fabric was next on the agenda. You can choose from yellow, navy blue, black, white, red, green, blue, maroon, and purple and if a customer prefers another color Den.m Bar is happy to scout it out. I initially went for white just to make mine a little different but I chickened out and went for the standard orange stitching. I realized that I wanted my custom pair to be a standard pair that would last me for a long time…nothing crazy. For the buttons they had choices of pictures, plain and smooth, or a Den.m Bar logo on the buttons…I went for the smooth and plain for a sleek look. As for the pocket fabric I went for the houndstooth because I love me some houndstooth. I think the pocket lining is a fun touch that’s almost a secret that only you know…or whoever see’s your jeans on the floor.

For the grand finale…THE MEASURING! As much as I love customizing my own things, I think the measuring was my favorite part because as they measure you, you can fantasize about how well these jeans are going to fit you and almost feel it. After reviewing my order and giving some last minute information, the customizing process was done! Next up is a fitting and then taking your brand new babies home, which will be part two of this post. One of the things I respect about Den.M bar (besides bringing something truly extraordinary and unique to Los Angeles) is their core values: Originality, Quality, Craftsmanship, and Customers. They exert this in their practices and you feel it in your experience. Until part two…

(Photo via Nasty Gal)

Do you have those pair of denim shorts/pants lying around that you don’t wear anymore or are out of style? Well here’s a little DIY for you to get those jeans back in the “obsessed” pile. Ripped jean shorts are all the rage and you shouldn’t have to spend the big bucks to get them, they’re a piece of cake to do yourself at home for free. So grab those old pair of lame jeans and follow along with me on these few easy steps to transform them into something awesome.

*I started out with a pair of jean shorts I picked up from Goodwill that have barely been worn, so I had to work at them a little to get the “broken in” look. If your jeans are already broken in, work at them accordingly.

What you need:

-A nice pair of scissors, ideally fabric scissors.

-Exacto knife (scissors will be fine if you do no have one of these).

-Sand paper, cheese grater, file etc. (I used the sand paper and file myself).

-An old pair of jeans or a pair you don’t mind cutting up.

Step one: Cut them

If you have denim pants you are using for this DIY, cut them to the length that you want (try the jeans on and measure the length you want for the best results). If you are using shorts do the same thing and if they are already at a good length, trim the hem so you can get the “worn” look.

Step 2: Make Tears

I prefer using an exacto knife because its easier to manage and makes small slits, but feel free to use a scissors for this. I referenced a pair of jean shorts with holes that I bought a while ago so I could see where to put my slits. You can reference photos online if you don’t have any pairs at home.

Step 3: Wear it down

For this step, the sand paper and file worked the best for me, but feel free to use anything that’s rough and will wear the denim down. I’ve heard of people using cheese graters so you can try that out as well. I went around to all the edges of the jeans (pockets, waist band, belt loops, yoke, zipper cover etc) and sanded them down so they looked worn in.

I also took the exacto knife and cut into some of the edges to further the effect. You can also sand the front of the jeans where there aren’t any edges or holes so that they are more soft and broken in. After you sand all the edges, start sanding all the slits you made and also the hem line. You can take apart some of the weave with your hands to make it fray more.

Step 4: Wash them

Washing the jeans creates more fray at the edges and breaks them in a little bit. Whether your jeans are already worn in or not, I would still throw them in the washer.

…and that’s it! You’ve got a great pair of ripped jean shorts for the summer. Feel free to add on some more DIY’s like studs and fabric. Enjoy!

I found this video on Donna Ida’s blog from when she went to LA to visit Paige. This video shows the process of what Paige jeans go through while being made in the Los Angeles factory. You can see them making the lap creases, sanding and stone washing etc. It’s a great video! I love seeing clips like these because it really gives you an insight into what goes into making a premium denim brand! You can see the original video post here.

Flares:

• Hippie: Wear flares with a tie-dye shirt and platforms, add accessories such as glasses or a headband, don’t forget your peace sign.
• Rosie The Riveter: Pair your flares with a chambray shirt and add a headscarf.
• Sailor: Add a striped tee and sailor hat to your flares.

Leather Pants:

• Cat Woman: Wear leather pants and a slim fitting black top, leather boots and black cat ears.
• Biker: Leather pants paired with motorcycle jacket and black boots.
• Sandra Dee: Wear your leather pants, leather jacket and heels. Curl your hair in and add some lipstick.

Cargo Pants:

• Indiana Jones/Explorer: Wear your cargo pants with a white shirt, khaki vest, add a hat and binoculars.
• Army: Cargos paired with a camouflage or khaki top, boots and dog tags.
• Construction Worker: Cargos paired with white tee shirt, hard hat and tool kit or belt.

Colored/Printed Denim:

Colored Denim makes a great staple for building a costume.

• Angel: Wear white jeans, a white top, wings and a halo.
• Bee: Wear yellow or black jeans with a yellow or black shirt, add some wings.
• Lady Bug: Red Jeans and red top (you can cut out some black felt dots) and add some wings.
• iPod Commercial: Wear black jeans and black top, add an iPod and dance the night away.
• Leopard or Snake: Wear your (leopard or snakeskin) printed pants with a matching/neutral top, add whiskers if necessary.

Overalls:

• Farmer: Add a plaid shirt and some hay (and stuffed farm animals)
• Miner: Wear a Henley shirt, boots and add a headlamp and some tools.
• Scarecrow: Wear a plaid shirt, and hat, add stuff your sleeves with hay.

Shorts:

• Daisy Duke: Shorts, plaid shirt or crop top and heels.
• Britney Spears: Shorts, white tank top, over-sized sunglasses and Uggs or other boots.

Basic Blue Jeans:

• Where’s Waldo: Add a red striped top, stocking cap and glasses.
• Cowboy: Add a denim shirt or plaid shirt, vest, boots and hat.
• Nerd: Add rolled/cuffed jeans, tee shirt, glasses and carry around book and apple (you could also wear overalls).
• Bella Swan: Wear skinny jeans and Chuck Taylors, tee shirt and hoodie. Wear no makeup to keep your face pale.

What are you going to be for Halloween? Will you be wearing any denim trends with your costume?

D.I.Y. Distressing Denim from AzaleaTV on Vimeo.

Here is a video that Azalea created to show how to DIY a pair of raw jeans. Being a raw denim fan, I guess I was on the fence about this one like most people would be, is it cheating? A lot of people say that using sand paper and bleach etc to fade and make your raw jeans look worn is definitely cheating, you are supposed to wear them for a long time until they mold and form to your body shape which will then create all the fades and rips. I know first hand that this takes a really long time and a lot of perseverance so it’s not for everyone.

I came to the conclusion that I actually think this video is good, purely because he’s not distressing and fading them to look like he wore them out, he’s created bleach splashes as well as an overall fade and even put circles on them. Plus, he waxed them. You can’t get that appearance on raw denim just by wearing them so I think he did a great job. I thought the video shows you how easy it is to create your own wash on your own jeans. Every time I see someone doing denim DIY it makes me want to do more myself! I love making denim my own! What do you think of the video? Also, if you like the video on FaceBook you could win the pair of jeans featured in the video!

Customizing my jeans have always been something that I like to do. Whether it be adding some rips and tears, slitting the hem, adding stains, zippers or just doing something random to them. I don’t think I have a pair of jeans that are exactly the way I have got them, but that is what I love. They are my own and no one else’s. Here is a post of a pair of jeans that I did a few more customizations on than my others.

I recently received a pair of the J Brand Agnes Jeans in Black. I always wanted to try this style out. Being that they didn’t have pockets, I would always second guess purchasing these jeans. I finally decided to get the style because they are one of the amazing pairs out.

My first thought to do was to just add some pockets. Then I thought, “Hmmm…What else can I do to these to make them even more my own?” I then came to the conclusion to do a bit more than what I intended.

First thing I did was detach the third bottom portion off the jeans. This part was actually a lot easier than what I actually anticipated. I then switched the legs so that the zippers are placed at the inseam instead of at the outside of the jeans. I stitched the portion back to the rest of the jeans the way it was stitched before taking it apart so that it still had the same hold and motorcycle style.

After I finished sewing the legs back together, I slit the pocket panels under the hip zippers so there would be access to the pockets when it is unzipped. Then I got some pocket sacks and sewed them to the panels so there would be a place to hold my items. The only thing that I have wished I had done before hand was to dye the pockets black before I had attached them, but I can always detach and reattach them back on.

Now that I have finished making these jeans my own, they have become one of my favorites. I love that I can now put my personal belongings into the front pockets of the jeans and zip them up for safety. Now if only I can figure out how to wax these to give them a leather look? You can check out the photos below of the finished product.