DIY: OMBRE CUTOFF SHORTS

Here’s what you’ll need:
Bleach
Chalk
Gloves
Ruler
Tweezers
Sand paper
Fabric scissors
Laundry detergent
Large bowl or bucket
X-acto precision knife
Old denim jeans (avoid using spandex or stretchy jeans)
And a buffing nail block (suggested to help the fraying process)

Now we’re ready to recycle those old jeans into some awesome trendy shorts!

Directions:

1. First things first, let’s figure out the length of your new shorts. Draw a line across your jeans with chalk, this will be where you’ll begin to cut. A good rule of thumb to follow is to cut a little longer than you think and trim later, also use a ruler and measure the length starting from the center/tipped crotch area – measure down: 1 inch = very short shorts, 4 inches is about upper thigh and 6 inches tends to be longer shorts. You can also try on the jeans and mark your desired length. (I personally  didn’t want them super short, so I measured 4 inches from the center crotch area and drew my straight line. As opposed to a rounded circled cut – shorter on the sides.)
2. Now you’re ready to cut along your line with fabric scissors. If you have good enough scissors you may cut both legs at the same time. If in doubt, cut one leg at a time, then place the cut leg on top of the uncut one and use it as a guide.
3. Fill bowl with bleach.
   
   The amount of bleach depends on the size of the container you use. After the bowl or bucket is filled with bleach, submerge your shorts in the bleach for about 20-30 minutes. Add more bleach as needed.
   
   (Obviously, the section you decide to dip will be the area that will lighten. Play with it and feel free to get creative!)

   Please note: Some shorts may need to remain dipped in bleach for either a shorter or longer period of time. The thickness and color of the denim is an important factor in this process. Be sure to stand by and watch the color change. This will allow you to decide when the shorts have reached your desired color. If you dipped the bottom part of the shorts and you’d like to achieve an ombre effect (graduated decrease in tone or color), dip the opposite portion of the shorts for half of the time. The longer you leave them submerged, the lighter they’ll be. (I dipped one entire side, because I wanted the entire shorts to have a washed out lighter tone.)

4. Remove shorts from bowl/bucket. Run water through the shorts trying to remove as much of the bleach as possible. Do this for at least 5-10 minutes to prevent further change in color.
5. After you’ve completely rinsed the bleach, place shorts in the washing machine. Add some laundry detergent and run a short cycle. Once the cycle is finished, proceed to place the shorts in the dryer.
6. Remove the shorts from the dryer, and now we’re ready to begin the fraying process.

Fraying and distressing shorts:

1. Wrap the rough finished sandpaper around a nail buffing block.
   
2. Place the edges of the shorts on either a box or a rough surface. I used the edge of my outdoor stairs. Begin sanding the shorts until you reach your desired frayed look.
3. Using the tweezers begin to pick the white threads and pulling them toward you. Do this in each leg and all the way around.
4. To give the shorts a more rugged look, decide where you’d like to add a hole and cut the line using your X-acto.
   
   Flip the shorts inside out, so that you can see the white threads easier. Begin pulling the threads toward the center of the hole. Be sure to not rip these threads to create the following look.
   And you’re done. Viola! The more you wash them, the better they’ll look.
   
   I got a little more creative and added studs to my shorts. :) There you have it, my first DIY (do it yourself) blog post. Enjoy!