How to Distress Jeans with a Razor

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Distressed jeans can be pricey, but with just a little effort, you can make a pair yourself. All you need is a razor and a sketch of what you want your jeans to look like. By making a few cuts along the knee and upper thigh of a plain pair of jeans, you can add a stylish pair of distressed jeans to your wardrobe.

Part 1
Part 1 of 2:

Mapping out Where to Cut

PDF download Download Article
  1. Marking where you want to distress your jeans will be easier when you're wearing them. You can also get a feel of where the jeans would wear down naturally, like around your knees. [1]
    • Any pair of denim jeans will work, as long as you don't mind altering them!
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Distress Jeans with a Razor
    Draw lines to mark where you want the top and bottom of the holes you want to make. Focus on areas that would wear down naturally, like the knees, over the front and back pockets, and the upper thigh. [2]
    • The size of the holes you make is completely up to you.
    Advertisement
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Distress Jeans with a Razor
    This will be your workstation. You can use any kind of sturdy surface, like a shoebox, a small footstool, or a table. [3]
    • Don't try to distress your jeans while wearing them or you could hurt yourself with the razor.
    4. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 2:

Cutting Your Denim

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Distress Jeans with a Razor
    A thick magazine will help prevent you from accidentally cutting other areas of your jeans where you don’t want slits or holes. The magazine will also help keep the denim taut, making it easier for you to cut. [4]
    • If you don’t have a magazine lying around, a thick notebook or a piece of cardboard should also do the trick.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Distress Jeans with a Razor
    Add the first slit where you want the bottom of your hole to be. Then add horizontal slits at 0.5 in (1.3 cm) increments until you reach the top of where you want the hole to be. Make the slits as long as you want the holes to be. Do this for every area you want to distress. [5]
    • Be very careful when using a razor blade so you don't cut yourself. You might want to wear a pair of thick gloves for extra protection.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Distress Jeans with a Razor
    Once you’ve made slits with your razor blade, use some tweezers or a bobby pin to open the slits wider. Use your fingers to pull apart threads that become exposed. Keep pulling the threads apart until you get holes that are the size and shape you want. [6]
  4. Watermark wikiHow to Distress Jeans with a Razor
    Move the disposable razor back and forth to scrape the area you want to distress. Keep scraping until you get the look you want. A disposable razor works great on the zipper area, waistband, pockets, and the hemline. [7]
    • Use caution when using a disposable razor.
  5. Washing your jeans will help clear out any loose threads hanging around. Washing and drying them twice will also help make the new holes look more worn. After this step, your new, stylish distressed jeans will be ready to wear! [8]
    7. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    How do I make a high-low crop top?
    Community Answer
    Take a shirt that is a little too big and put it on. Mark with a pen where you want to start cutting (say, just above the navel), making sure you allow an inch for stitching the hem. On the back, make a mark where you want the shirt's lowest point to be. Take the shirt off, use the pen to sketch the rest of the hem to make sure you cut the fabric evenly, and cut along your lines. You can also simply cut a line between the two marks you made, but you will likely have an uneven hem.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 9
  • Question
    What can I make using jeans?
    Siluni
    Community Answer
    You can cut the jeans into any size you want, and make stylish shorts by adding some accessories to them. You can also make purses or wallets out of old jeans.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 7
  • Question
    My new jeans have a big hole in them. What should I do?
    Community Answer
    First of all, when buying distressed jeans or any denim, don't go for the cheaper stuff. Buy high quality; if you don't, it will get ruined and look tacky after a few washes. To fill the hole, you could try adding a creative patch underneath. Simply pick out a patterned fabric (should be a more heavy-weight fabric for best results) and then sew it underneath the hole. This will give your jeans a creative, chic look. Don't be afraid to experiment, as this could be a fun experience and could turn out great!
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 12
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      Warnings

      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Jeans
      • Razor blade
      • Disposable razor
      • Thick Magazine

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make Distressed Jeans
      How to
      Bleach Jeans
      How to
      Rip Your Own Jeans
      How to
      Acid Wash Jeans
      How to
      Make 90s Grunge Inspired Knee Ripped Jeans
      How to
      Cut Knee Holes in Jeans
      Advertisement

      Expert Interview

      Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about sewing, check out our in-depth interview with Shaelynn Haning .

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy4WnVa2dzQ
      2. ↑ https://fashionista.com/2016/07/distress-jeans-how-to
      3. ↑ https://fashionista.com/2016/07/distress-jeans-how-to
      4. ↑ https://fashionista.com/2016/07/distress-jeans-how-to
      5. ↑ https://fashionista.com/2016/07/distress-jeans-how-to
      6. ↑ https://fashionista.com/2016/07/distress-jeans-how-to
      7. ↑ https://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/fashion/a58592/5-easy-tricks-for-distressing-your-jeans/
      8. ↑ https://fashionista.com/2016/07/distress-jeans-how-to

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Distressed jeans can be pricey, but with a little effort, you can make your own pair at home. Start by putting on your jeans and using a washable marker to mark where you want to distress them. Then, take them off and place a thick magazine or piece of cardboard inside the jeans where you’ll be distressing, which will prevent you from damaging your table or floor. Use a razor blade to make horizontal slits. Then, use tweezers to gently pull at the threads to make it look more natural. You can also run a disposable razor back and forth over areas to give them a worn look. To make the distressing look more natural wash and dry your jeans twice before wearing them. To learn how to decide where to distress your jeans, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 286,572 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement