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make denim look worn and used
I sew a lot of denim jackets and my own jeans, I would like to rough up the seams and make them look worn, I have heard there is a way to do this but I need some advise,
Just from reading comments and the different forms ,there are a lot of good sewers out there
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worn look denim (post #32926, reply #1 of 7)
Have you heard that denim needs to be washed/dried three times to reach its maximum shrinkage? While doing the prewashing for shrinkage, you can add some heavy articles to the dryer to beat it up some. After sewing the garment, I've heard to use a fine grit sandpaper on the seams for "aging".
An emery board also (post #32926, reply #2 of 7)
An emery board also works. Bend seam and sand 'ridge' carefully (watch topstitiching!) Also, a q-tip dipped in DILUTED bleach and dabbed very discriminately on sanded areas where you want it whiter (follow up with neutralizing agent - can't remember if it's baking soda or vinegar and my chemist-minded hubby is asleep) OR work very quickly and wash garment following bleaching). I have used this method to age jean hems and it works very well although it takes some time. I would be a little leery using bleach method on construction seams as it just so easy to make a mistake and spill or splotch or drip
weathering your denim (post #32926, reply #3 of 7)
maybe you can try scouring the seams with a fingernail brush when your denim is wet. I think you can get better results if you scour your wet seams with a wiry brush but it might be too drastic and with softer brush you have more control and know when you want to stop.
The teens know how (post #32926, reply #4 of 7)
remember, it's important that the garment looks WORN, not just old. Be sure you age the garment in the key places like knees, seat, cuffs and hems. seams, collars, elbows, pockets are also potential places of 'natural' wear
Be sure you age the clothing (post #32926, reply #5 of 7)
Be sure you age the clothing in the key locations like legs, chair, cuffs and border.
http://www.oilpainting-shop.com
oil or moisturizer (post #32926, reply #6 of 7)
if you dont want to hangaround aging your denim, another way is to make it a bit greasy. grease breaks down fibers. must admit, once during spring unpacking, i realized i previously packed my jeans and it had been worn but not washed prior to storing and the denim softened and some fibers were worn and frayed from it. theres still the wipping and the filing, but if you dont wannt hang around, theres oil and moisturzer.
add oil and water to spray (post #32926, reply #7 of 7)
spray on the usually worn parts and let it sit and soften.