How to Make 90s Grunge Inspired Knee Ripped Jeans

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Find an old pair of jeans that you're happy to distress.

   The jeans should be 100% cotton, as other fabrics won't work the same.
   
   They should be baggy, straight, or boot-cut in order to make a true 90's look, but they can be any color.
   
   Prepare your tools at the same time.
   
   These can be found below, under the Things You'll Need.
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   Step 2: Decide what shape you want the rip to be.

   The most common shapes used to make slits are diamonds, circles, or rectangles.
   
   If you're not sure, start with a diamond shape, which tends to turn out well. , Then use a ruler, and mark out two slits in the middle of the leg, going crossways across the knee area.
   
   To look like true-90's style ripped knees, the slits should go across the knee, stopping 2 centimeter (0.79 in) from the seam on both sides; if you want the rip to be smaller, then mark it 4 centimeter (1.6 in) from the seam. , These slits should be about 2 centimeter (0.8 in) shorter than the first.
   
   Then again, make two more slits each a ruler-width each from the top and bottom, again making them about 2 centimeter (0.8 in) shorter than the previous ones.
   
   Repeat until your last slits are only 1 centimeter (0.39 in) or so long. , Poke into the center of the markings of the slit, so the scissors will get into it with greater ease. , Do the same on all the other slits. , This will prevent any damage to the backs of the knees as you distress the jeans. , Using your hands is possible too but takes much longer.
   
   If the tweezers cannot pull white threads out after more than five to seven white threads on each side (2cm away from the slits), turn the jeans right side out and use a razor to distress the edges until you see white threads.
   
   If you get two to four threads left after pulling without using a razor, if the slits are small as 1 centimeter (0.39 in), you can pull the blue threads using your hands. , If you cannot get them out, pull the white threads to get the blue threads out, since the blue threads may be stuck inside the white threads.
   
   Then you can pull the blue threads out very easily on the top of those edges. ,,,, Cut very gently, to make it appear more worn. , Use tweezers, and distress the blue ends from the white threads where it looks square, to lessen the square effect. , If you have done everything correctly, then congratulations, you can wear your new ripped jeans outside! Wash then dry the jeans before wearing, to make those white threads to look fluffier.
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   Step 3: Turn your pants inside out.

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   Step 4: Mark two more

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   Step 5: slightly shorter slits a ruler-width (or so) from each of the first slits

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   Step 6: moving away from the center of the knee.

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   Step 7: Take a knife

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   Step 8: or a needle.

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   Step 9: Cut with a pair of scissors along the lines.

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    Step 10: Slide the cardboard under the cut slits.

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    Step 11: Use the tweezers to pull white threads out.

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    Step 12: Pull the blue threads out.

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    Step 13: Pull the blue threads until you hit the dead end where the cut of the slit ends.

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    Step 14: Repeat the distressing process on the other slits.

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    Step 15: Use scissors to cut the middle of the slits

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    Step 16: where the white threads are

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    Step 17: so it will be separated.

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    Step 18: To look even grungier

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    Step 19: take a razor and scratch the cut the ends of the white threads.

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    Step 20: Distress the square edges from the white threads

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    Step 21: where the slits get smaller.

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    Step 22: Wash and wear!

Detailed Guide

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