How to make ripped shorts

Jeans have long become a very popular wardrobe item and never go out of style. In the summer, when you can’t go outside because of the heat, shorts become popular. You can go to a store or market and buy them, but there is also a better option - use old jeans. In recent years, it has become fashionable to make shorts as if artificially aged - torn, with holes, with fabric fluffed out on the sides. On the one hand, this is a fashion trend, and on the other hand, it provides additional ventilation for clothes in hot weather.

Preparing for work

What jeans are suitable for making ripped shorts?

It would seem that there is nothing complicated here - just cut off any jeans, but it’s not so simple. Shorts should not look like a saddle on a cow. Not every style is suitable for work—jeans with the wrong cut may not even begin to cut. Tapered, tight-fitting, skinny knee-length jeans with flare at the bottom and tapered jeans are not suitable for turning into shorts. The best option is pants with the same leg width along the entire length.

What materials and tools will be needed to complete the work?

To work you will need:

• jeans or shorts from which the product will be made;
• tape measure with soft and flexible tape;
• chalk or bar of soap;
• tweezers;
• tailor's scissors;
• blade, small scissors or a utility knife to imitate the torn texture of the fabric.

How to make ripped shorts from old jeans

How to choose the length of shorts and cut jeans

To determine the length of your shorts, you need to put on jeans and use chalk to mark the desired cut level. Very short shorts are more of a beach option, and just above the knee are a casual option. The cut is made as follows: first, for more convenient work, the jeans are cut to the knee, then the required length of the legs is measured using a tape measure.

Do not forget that the length of the back panel of the shorts should be 10–15 millimeters longer than the front panel. In addition to the fact that the length of the trouser legs was measured with a tape measure, it is recommended that after cutting the first trouser leg, attach it to the one that has not yet been cut off and make sure that the markings are correct. After cutting, if necessary, align the resulting edges with the smaller leg.

If you plan to trim the hem, then you need to add 2 cm to the desired length of the legs; if there is a double hem, then 4 cm.

How to finish the bottom edges of shorts

The easiest and fastest option is processing using an overlocker. You can also turn the shorts fabric up half a centimeter and sew it with a zigzag seam. Or fold the edges of the shorts in a double layer, iron and then overcast.

To get a fringed hem, you need to use tweezers and a sewing needle to remove several rows of horizontal threads at the bottom edge of the pant leg. The length of the fringe directly depends on the number of threads removed. Don’t get too carried away and make fringes longer than 3 cm.You can fluff it up with a toothbrush, and bend the edges of the fringe up.

To create torn edges, you can use a blade or a utility knife to make several horizontal cuts near the bottom edge of the legs. Using sandpaper or by hand, the cuts are frayed, and you get the effect of jeans worn to holes.

How and with what to make slits on shorts

It is very convenient to use a sharp stationery knife to create an aging effect. The main rule when working is that you cannot remove horizontally located transverse threads of the fabric, otherwise the shorts may simply fall apart. The longitudinal threads are removed, and a crochet hook or gypsy needle will simplify the work.

Instead of a utility knife, you can use a safety razor blade or straight razor. It is recommended that after removing the longitudinal threads, fluff the hole with a toothbrush and remove the pellets of fabric with your fingers.

If you plan to make a large hole, with the removal of transverse threads, you need to burn the place where they are cut with a lighter, and for reliability, go over the perimeter of the hole with an overlocker. The longitudinal threads are then removed like a fringe using a crochet hook or a gypsy needle.

If you have a piece of pumice, you can age the material with its help - forcefully move the pumice stone over the fabric until the threads begin to thin and tear.

How and what to decorate torn shorts

For decoration, you can use an applique in the form of flowers, starfish, children's themes on the pockets or on the bottom of the legs. Rhinestones, sequins, spikes and rivets are excellent for the same purposes. Rhinestones are sewn on the side parallel to the seams, on the belt or on pockets. Sequin ribbons are sewn on with a sewing machine, single ones are sewn on by hand.

Lace looks original combined with rough denim material.To sew it in, pieces of triangular-shaped fabric are cut off from the sides of the trouser legs, and lace is sewn on instead. You can also trim the pockets or sew lace along the bottom of the legs.

The final result depends on imagination and ingenuity even more than on the skills of the seamstress. The process is rather creative, not requiring professionalism, and can bring no less pleasure than the final result. No special material costs are required, because available materials and means are used.