52 Week Challenge: #21 DIY Cut-off Shorts

This week's diy is more of a makeover if anything. I just wanted to share with you a couple of distressed, high waisted cut-offs I made, using some thrifted mom jeans. 

I don't have a step-by-step tutorial, but I do have a few tips on how I made mine:

>>>When you cut the legs off, leave them longer than you intend, because you can always cut them shorter if you want to. But you can't add length after they're cut. I've definitely made this mistake before.

>>>Look for Levi's 501's, personally I think they make the best cutoffs.

>>>Take into account the front pockets, if your cutting your shorts really short, decide whether or not you want them to hang out. If you do, make sure to pull them inside out while cutting, so you don't cut the pocket off like I did one time.

>>> I wanted to splash some bleach on mine. I experimented with different strengths of bleach (above), I ended up using a %100 bleach, because I liked the "galaxy" look. Either way, I think it's a good practice to test the bleach on some left over scraps to make sure you love it.

>>> Luckily, I didn't have to go far for studs. Chris had an old studded belt, so I scrapped it for parts using screwdriver and pliers to pry them off. 

>>> I attached them to the back pockets and the front of the pockets, in a scattered pattern.

Then, I remade these Levi's, but I just ripped them up, with some some light distressing. I used sand paper to wear down the denim, and then I used the razor blade to shave off the fabric and expose the threads. Like this. I figured I'd start with small holes, give them a wash, and then decide if I wanted to destroy them more.

You'll end up with a bunch of cotton puffs like this.

Here's how these ones came out!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for a $75 to Shabby Apple until June 22nd! Have a wonderful weekend!