Knee-cut jeans are a combination of minimalistic art and edginess. They’re simple and understated yet they bring a hint of rebel to an outfit. A simple slit in the knee area and bam – you’re fashionable!
Though simple in appearance we should never underestimate the techniques involved in the creation of the cut-out knee jeans.
Are you into DIY projects? How about DIY ripped knee jeans? It’s not as simple as it looks. Gather around so that we can get into all things knee ripped jeans and more.
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Types of Ripped Jeans
Ripped Jeans which are also known as distressed jeans or torn jeans have been a fashion statement for more than three decades. They feature frayed slits, rips, and cuts for an overall tattered and worn look.
You can find the rips on the thighs, at the knees, or on the calves. The skinny jeans, flare jeans, bootcut jeans, baggy boyfriend, slim fit jeans, mom jeans, and all other types of jeans also come in ripped forms.
Distressed jeans are created by using any of the following:
#1. Holes
Your jeans can feature holes that cover more surface area than a simple rip, and will expose more skin. To achieve this, you have to do a lot more than sanding. The distressing must pass completely through the fabric.
To maintain the integrity of your jeans, you’ll want to keep holes strictly to one side of the material – for instance, right above, around, or directly below the knee – to avoid having them pass to the opposite side.
#2. Shreds
This takes edginess and style to another level. You can challenge your skills by creating “ladders” (shreds done horizontally).
You’ll need to be patient and skilled enough to create sheds that tear the fabric but not all the way through. By doing this technique, you’ll leave bits of thread holding it together and partially covering the hole. You can do it if you put your mind to it.
#3. Scrapes or Scratches
This technique will also awaken your inner artist or fashion designer. It’s also known as an abrasion or whiskering in some contexts because it involves taking an abrasive material – usually sandpaper – and wearing part of the fabric’s top layer away, so that it looks thinner, faded, and more textured compared to the rest of the denim.
If you’re fearless enough to wear ripped jeans, then you’ll not be intimidated to use this technique.
5 Things to Think About Before Ripping Your Jeans’ Knees
We know you’re eager to get cracking but we did tell you that creating the perfect knee ripped jeans is more than just cutting holes in jeans knees. You must consider the following before you get scissor happy:
1. Use the Right Tools
A bad workman blames his tools. Luckily, that will not apply to you because you have a “can-do” attitude to match the tools needed for the job.
When ripping or distressing your jeans, make sure that you have a good pair of scissors or craft knives, chalk or pen, a razor, a pair of tweezers, sandpaper, and a piece of cardboard.
You’ll need the cardboard between the front and back of the jeans you’re distressing so that you don’t cut right through to the other side of the jeans.
2. Don’t use new jeans
You don’t want to buy a pair of jeans just so you can rip them. Instead, wear them a few times just so you see and feel how the material fits you. You’ll then be better able to identify the best spots for ripping and distressing.
3. Consider the composition of the material
Ideally, you want to start with jeans that are 100% cotton. However, it’s difficult to find this composition these days so your best bet is jeans that are mostly composed of cotton.
These jeans will give a more seamless and effortless shred compared to jeans that have a high amount of elastic fibres that hold the fabric together.
Additionally, get jeans that are a good mixture of blue and white on the inside. Avoid them if they’re mainly white, because your rips may look stringy instead of the desired frayed look.
4. Wash Them a Few Times
Washing your jeans will loosen up the material and make them more pliable to work with. Also, you’ll achieve that worn look that pairs nicely with the rips.
5. Practice Makes Perfect
A pair of old jeans are perfect for practicing. Start with cutting slits in the knees then work your way from there.
How to rip jeans and leave the white thread
So, after you’ve identified the spots for ripping you can follow these steps to achieve this look:
- Mark the sections with your pen or chalk then take the jeans off and lay them on your craft table or bed.
- Make 3 cuts 1/2 inch apart parallel to each other on the spot you marked.
- Now remove two or three horizontal threads from the cuts with your tweezer.
- Gently pull the vertical threads (blue ones) from these areas. Be mindful that the white threads are more fragile than the blue.
- Tada! Now you have a customized pair of ripped jeans!
How to Cut Knee Holes in Jeans
If this is the look you desire, then let’s grant you your wish. Follow these simple steps:
- Draw a box with chalk at the knees while wearing the jeans.
- Draw around the lines again once you’ve taken the jeans off.
- Measure off any cuts that may be too close to the seams and adjust where necessary.
- Place your piece of cardboard inside the pant leg where you plan to cut.
- Gently and carefully cut with scissors.
- Try on the jeans to check if you are going in the right direction.
- Take off and get to ripping or wash it to see how the rips take shape.
- Use the razor and scrape back and forth along the rim of the cut when the jeans are dry.
- Now enjoy!
Final Verdict
The “jeans cut at the knees” look is a challenge embraced by amateur and experienced DIYers alike.
A slow and steady hand and an appreciation for customized looks are all you need to be among the trendy and fashionable people. Get craftsy!
