August 21, 2012

DIY Bleach Dipped Scalloped Shorts

I'm finally back from my long relaxing vacation, and rest assured that I haven't returned empty handed! I bring to you, a Do It Yourself "Bleach Dipped Scalloped Shorts" tutorial. With the end of summer looming upon us, my vacation brought me right back to the reality that it ain't over yet! There's still plenty of time left to rock an awesome pair of shorts that you've made yourself. 


You'll need:

An unwanted pair of jeans / paper / pencil / crayon / small round object for tracing /
scissors / bucket / bleach / water / vinegar / gloves / yard stick (or something similar)

Start by making the scallop design on a piece of paper. Repeatedly trace a small round object across the length of a piece of paper and then cut it out to create your stencil.

OR  DOWNLOAD PRINTABLE TEMPLATE HERE


Turn your jeans inside out and then use a crayon to trace your stencil at whatever length you'll want to cut your shorts. Make sure both sides of your shorts are symmetrical then cut.


Create a bleach solution using 2 parts water to 1 parts bleach. Pour this solution into a large bucket, then with the aid of your yard stick (or s'mores sticks...whatever), dip the shorts into the solution while the sticks rest on the rim of the bucket. IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that the level of the bleach solution will rise higher on your shorts than the level it sits at in the bucket. Therefore, you should fill the bucket to a few inches less than the desired height you would like the bleach to be on your shorts.


Let your shorts soak in the solution for 30 minutes maximum. During that time you can prepare a vinegar solution which will be needed to stop the bleaching process. This solution will be 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar.


Using gloves, remove your shorts from the bleach solution and leave them to soak in the vinegar solution for 10 minutes. Ring out the vinegar solution from the shorts then wash and dry them regularly by themselves.


And just like that, I've found a way to cling to summer for a little bit longer. Check these babies out!


P.S. photo shoot photos are courtesy of my BFF, and Honorary Creative Soul, Joanne!



 

16 comments:

  1. That really sharpened up the whole look huh? Who woulda thought? Fun DIY Amy, now I just need to find a good pair of jean shorts.

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    1. Thanks Smita! I want to see you rockin' some DIY shorts around town soon! ;)

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  2. Wow, this is such a clever DIY! I can't wait to try this out myself! Great blog too, just followed through GFC. :)

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    1. Aww thanks! If you give it a try, let me know how they turn out! Thanks for following and welcome aboard!!

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  3. Um, adorable. So good to meet you tonight, hope our paths cross again soon!

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  4. Thank you Kate!! I agree, it was so great to meet you and I hope yo see you again soon!

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  5. Ohhh totally want to do this. How clever!

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  6. Thanks Katie!! They're so easy to make, you should definitely try it!

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  7. Mine did not bleach after a half hour.. Wonder what I did wrong??

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    1. Hmm have you washed and dried them yet? Mine didn't look completely white until after I did that. If that doesn't work you could try bleaching them a little longer.

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  8. How do you keep the ends from fraying?

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    1. I actually didn't do anything to keep the ends from fraying because I liked the look.

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