How to Fray Denim

Fraying denim won't take much of your time.

Frayed denim clothes have a trendy look that many people find appealing and even sexy. Typically clothing companies sell denim skirts, pants and jackets already shredded, torn or otherwise distressed. However, you can fray denim yourself. This may save you some money, as frayed jeans can be more expensive than ordinary ones, and will make you feel proud of yourself for producing customized clothes no one else wears a copy of.

Things You'll Need

• Tailor's chalk
• Scissors
• Sewing needle
• Sandpaper

Instructions

1. Wash your denim clothes in the washing machine. Frayed and dirty denim is not the same thing and before you start the fraying process, ensure that the clothes are clean.

2. Iron the denim clothes and put them on, marking the areas you want to fray with tailor's chalk. If you can, you can use your friend as a model, putting the clothes on him. Seeing how denim clothes look on a person can give you a better idea which areas to fray. Consider fraying the knees, pockets and the hem.

3. Lay the denim clothes on a table.

4. Cut the hem off with a pair of scissors. Also, use the scissors to make cuts on the denim in the areas you marked in Step 2.

5. Pull the strands with a sewing needle near the cuts you made in the previous step. This will give the denim a worn look.

6. Apply sandpaper to the areas you marked in Step 2. Rub the denim with the sandpaper till you achieve the desired level of fraying.

7. Wash the denim clothes once again. When dry, inspect the clothes. If you need some more fraying, repeat Steps 2 through 6.

References

• Telegraph Fashion: Trend: Frayed Denim
• Made Man: How to Fray Jeans