The One With My Summer Remakes Part 1: Denim

This summer I was really wanted something like this but didn't want to pay that price (or any price for that matter). So, I fished around my closet for something I could turn into that.

I had these capris that were a dark and heavy denim (and kind of hot for the summer). I didn't get a pre-picture. I had already done a layer of distressing to these.

I started off by sanding these over and over again. I used a small electric detail sander. It was taking too long to shed the dark color. So, I went to a heavier duty circular sander. A belt sander would have been great, but I didn't want to look for it. Like sanding wood, where you are taking off layers of wood, sanding denim took off layers of denim leaving it softer and lighter in color and weight.

Using a utility knife I started slicing small incisions into the jeans where I wanted the holes. The best way I found was to cut small horizontal holes, close together, one under the next. Then you can begin to pull out the blue fabric by hand, leaving the white behind. But do it carefully as you don't want to pull or break the white. Then wash. The result is a long, white, distressed hole.

After putting these on I figured out I needed to add a denim patch underneath so my unders wouldn't show through. It also helps the hole to not get bigger with wear.

The pocket hole is bigger than I wanted but I had a sharp knife and the fabric was really soft. These were my first try at "boyfriend jeans" so it was a little experimental. But now I know what to do and not to do the next time around. (The lighting in this picture is a little off. They aren't quite this light compared to the before shot.)