Dip Dyed Jeans

So I wanted to mix it up and make some fun new jeans. I had a vision to bleach the bottom of a pair of jeans and then dye them another fun color... maybe red or pink? This is what I came up with! I'm so excited about it.

I'm WAY too attached to my jeans to risk messing them up, so I set out on a quest to find a pair that fit me well. I went to my local thrift store and tried on a couple of pairs and found the perfect ones! They are Levi's so I know they're good quality. This is what they looked like before I started altering them. They were slightly big in the legs and I wanted them to be skinnier at the bottom.

The first step is to alter your jeans so they fit you perfectly! To do this I picked my favorite pair of jeans and laid them on top of my jeans I wanted to alter.

Tip: Make sure the jeans are turned inside out so when you're marking your new seam you  already have the line to sew down. Here's a picture of mine, I pinned from the hips down.

Tip: It's really helps to line the jeans up at the crotch just like this!

I also marked it with pink chalk so I would have a guide when I took my pins out while sewing. And then I just sewed down the line!

The next thing to do is try on your new jeans (inside out) and make sure they fit! Then you can trim down the excess fabric!

Perfect! Now you have a new pair of perfectly fitting jeans!!! :)

I wanted to take it a step further. The next step is the bleaching process. I used a large pot and filled it with one part water one part bleach.

Then dip the jeans into the bleach mixture and monitor the process. Some denim will bleach faster than other. Be sure to watch if the bleach is climbing the denim as well. 

Then take a break and play with your furry friend. My dog's name is Angel. She's a Christmas baby.

Ok enough play time. Check your progress on those jeans!

First check!

Second check!

Third check!

Fourth check! Looking good!

After this one I decided I wanted a little more white so I pushed it further down into the bleach mix.

 

  Almost there....

PERFECT! 

After you get to your desired shade (I wanted mine almost white) rinse out the bleach and throw them in the wash.

 I let mine hang dry over night and got to dying them the next day. Here's how they look all nice and clean ready to be dyed!

To dye them I used RIT dye in scarlet.

 I filled the pot up with about 2-3 inches of water and slowly started adding dye and stirring the combination testing it on the bottom of the jeans until it was dark enough.

The first test was a little too light.

But the second try was spot on!

After I found the perfect shade I dipped it a few times and then hung them up to dry and let the color set. 

Tip: If you let the color set it will remain true to how it looked freshly dipped.

Once the color has set rinse the excess dye out and throw you masterpiece in the wash. Once they dry wear them and show off your cute new jeans to all your friends!

I personally like them cuffed! Try them out and see your favorite way to style them.

Comment and let me know what you think and how yours turn out!

Have a nice day! x