Replies

1. 
   alotofstitches | May 09, 2010 05:27pm | #1

   worn look denim

   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".

2. 
   krichmond | May 17, 2010 04:09am | #2

   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

3. 
   HelgaPataki | Oct 24, 2010 09:55pm | #3

   weathering your denim

   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.

4. 
   Stitcher75 | Nov 29, 2011 11:05pm | #4

   The teens know how

   1. Wash and dry WITH FABRIC SOFTENER.

   2. Sew the project.

   3. Now the hard part: get the garment wet, take it outside and scrub with lye and a rock on the sidewalk.  A wire brush works well, too.

   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

1. 
   HelgaPataki | Apr 23, 2012 04:02pm | #5

   oil or moisturizer

   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. 

1. 
   HelgaPataki | Apr 26, 2012 12:11pm | #6

   add oil and water to spray

   spray on the usually worn parts and let it sit and soften.