Sometimes, you might want to add your own touch to jeans, which are a perfect wardrobe staple.If you love the look of cropped jeans, you can trim the hem of your pants to create a distressed look.If you want to make your jeans cutoffs, you can cut them into shorts.You can try distressing your jeans to give them a lived-in look if you want to leave the length the same.
Step 1: If you want to mark the length of the jeans, try on them.
Put on your jeans and look in the mirror to see where you want them to stop.If you want the hem of your jeans to stop, you need to make a mark with a piece of chalk or fabric marker.If you want a modern look, try hemming them so they hit your ankle bone.You can cut them to any length you want, from mid-calf capris to barely grazed the floor.If you don't hem them, your jeans will start to fray after you cut them.You will need to cut about 2 in (1.3 cm) below the mark if you want to let them flourish.If you are going to hem the jeans, you should leave an extra 1 in for the seam.
Step 2: Take the jeans off and draw a line below the mark.
To draw a straight line just below the mark you made for the hem, lay the jeans flat in front of you, then use your chalk or fabric marker.The jeans will still be the length you want after they start to degrade.
Step 3: Cut along the chalk line with sharp scissors.
Slowly cut one of the chalk lines with a pair of fabric scissors.Attempting to cut through both legs at the same time will make it harder to get a straight line.Do not use dull scissors to cut denim.You will end up with a messy hem.If you want to make sure both legs are the same length, you can use the strip you removed after cutting the first leg.Line it up perfectly with the hem of the opposite leg, then cut along the top edge.It is possible to pin it into place before you cut it.
Step 4: If you want your jeans to be a little shorter in the front, create a step-up hem.
If you want to make your own step-up hem, lay the jeans flat after cutting them.Only the front side of each leg has a line drawn above it.Carefully cut along the new line you marked after cutting 1 in up each side seam.There is a flattering long line in the back of the look.
Step 5: Hem your jeans.
To hem your jeans, roll up the ends about 2 in (1.3 cm) 1-2 times, then sew the hem in place with a straight or zig-zag stitch.All the way around both legs.The hem should be folded twice to give you a neater edge.If your sewing machine isn't made for heavy fabrics, fold the hem up once.You can use thread that blends into the jeans or use a contrasting color.
Step 6: If you need to adjust the length, try your pants on.
You can measure the length of your jeans by looking in the mirror.It's great if they look how you want them to.Continue the process until you are happy with the new style.If you don't like how your jeans look, make a pair of cutoffs instead.
Step 7: Put your jeans in the washer.
If you want your pants to have a nicer edge, run them through the washing machine and hang them to dry.Finish jeans in the dryer.If you don't want your jeans to get damaged, hang them to dry.As the white threads are unraveling, use scissors to trim them.
Step 8: Pick jeans that are baggy in your legs.
If you cut your jeans into shorts, they will squeeze your legs awkwardly.A pair of jeans that fit you well at the waist and butt, then becomes more relaxed through the thighs is what you should look for.Straight-leg jeans, boyfriend cuts, and high-waisted styles work well for this.If you are unsure, choose a pair of jeans that are larger than you normally wear.After you cut them, they'll be more durable.
Step 9: You should have long shorts if you cut off the legs of your jeans.
The legs of the pants should be cut with a pair of scissors.Since you will be measuring the length later, the cuts don't have to be perfect.It will make the whole process a little easier by giving you less material to work with.
Step 10: Take your jeans off and mark where you want the shorts to stop.
Stand in front of a mirror and determine where you want the long jean shorts to stop.Use a piece of chalk or a fabric marker to mark the length near the outside seam.If you want to cuff your jeans, leave an extra 2 in at the ends.It's best to leave an extra 2 in on the length since the shorts will break.It is always better to leave them longer than to cut them too short, since you can always cut more later.
Step 11: The inseam is longer if you draw a new line.
Take the jeans off and lay them flat.Imagine a straight line starting from the mark you made on the outside seam and going all the way across the jeans to the inseam.Make a small mark by measuring 1.5 in down from the end of the line.Then, draw a diagonal line from the new mark to the original mark.If you cut straight across your jeans, you will end up exposing a lot more skin than you intended to.
Step 12: Take off the jeans and cut one of the lines.
Carefully cut along the diagonal line with a pair of scissors.Keep your line straight.Using sharp scissors will help keep you from having to stop and restart, which can result in jagged cuts.
Step 13: If you want to match the other leg, cut the jeans in half.
The jeans should be folded vertically along the crotch after you cut the first side.Carefully cut along the bottom edge of the shorter side, then smooth the denim out as much as you can.This will make sure that your pant's legs are the same length.
Step 14: If the shorts are tight on your thighs, cut a small slit in the leg.
If the pants you chose weren't baggy enough, you might notice that your shorts are tight in your thighs.Make a slit along the outside seam of each leg if that happens.This will help create a relaxed look.
Step 15: If you want the jeans to have a cuff, fold them up and iron them.
If you don't want the edge on your pants to show, turn up the hem twice.To hold the cuff in place, press the shorts with an iron.If you want extra security, sew a single stitch through the outside edge of the cuff.
Step 16: Dry and wash to make a hem.
Throw your new jean shorts into the washing machine and put them in the dryer if you want a distressed, aged look.They should be washed and dried one more time.The best way to get that look is to wear shorts.
Step 17: You can mark the areas you want to distress by putting on your jeans and using chalk.
If you look at your jeans while you are wearing them, you can see where your distressing should fall.That way, you can see where your knees hit, or the perfect spot for a big hole, so you don't accidentally show more skin than you intended.The knees, thighs, and back pockets of jeans are popular distressing spots.
Step 18: Take off the jeans and put something in the legs.
Placing a thick piece of cardboard inside the legs of your jeans will keep you from cutting all the way through to the other side when distressing them.You could use a rolled-up newspaper if you don't have any cardboard.
Step 19: You can cut horizontal strips with a box cutter.
Many jeans have a square hole with white threads stretched across it.To make this, use a craft knife and cut two strips, one on top of the other, about 2 in long and 1.3 in wide.The blue threads run vertically along the strip that is left in the middle between the slit.You will be left with white threads.If you want to make a bigger hole, add more strips.If you want the hole to look like a diamond, make the strips wider in the middle and shorter at the top and bottom.
Step 20: To get a soft, worn look, Rub sandpaper along the denim.
Sandpaper is a great way to make your jeans look older.Rub vigorously over the area you want to distress with a coarse sandpaper.If you want it to look even more realistic, try using sandpaper around the edges of some of your other distressing.
Step 21: A disposable razor can be used to distress thicker areas.
If you want to make your jeans look worse, take a regular safety razor, like the kind you use for shaving.If you want to get a distressed look, you have to use the razor back and forth over the denim.Don't try to use it for shaving after you're done, it will dull the razor blade.
Step 22: A safety pin is needed to make a small hole.
If you want to add a distressed touch to your jeans, you can use a safety pin.Pick them up with the tip of the pin.Adding a subtle detail near a pocket is a great way to do this.