How to Fray a Denim Skirt

Denim is one of the most fashionable fabrics and there is hardly any person who does not own a pair of denim jeans in his/her closet. Denims are low maintenance and are very comfortable to wear. This is what contributed to their popularity. Denim shorts and skirts are also quite popular among women and they are available in a wide variety of cuts and designs.

From studded skirts to skirts with fringes and lace, there is a wide variety of designs to choose from. Fashion designers also come up with new designs and styles each season. A popular rage is distressed denim with lots of frayed edges for a 'rock chic' look. If you are reluctant to invest in an expensive skirt, then you can easily fray a plain old skirt yourself.

First, you need to consider how much of the skirt you want to fray. If it's a long skirt (hemline going below the knee), then it might be a good idea to shorten its length to above the knees. Mini skirts with frays are the most fashionable. Just make sure that you do not cut it too short, as the fabric could unravel too much, leaving you with a very short skirt.

• A pair of scissors
• Small nail scissor
• Denim skirt
• Fine grit sandpaper (optional)
• Embroidery thread
• Needle

First wear the skirt and mark the length at which you want the fraying to start. Place the skirt on a table and cut off the hem with a pair of scissors. Make sure that you cut the hemline uniformly. Now, make a jagged cut with nail scissors where you had marked the start point of the fraying. With the pointed end of the scissors, start pulling out the fibers of the denim.

You can also use a fine grit sandpaper to create a more distressed look. Unravel the horizontal fibers of the fabric from the base and discard them. Keep unraveling the fibers until you reach the point you had marked. Sew the edge of the skirt with a needle and thread, so that the fibers do not unravel any more than the marked length.

If you have a sewing machine, you can sew the skirt with the machine. This will save you time and effort. Finally, you have to wash the skirt. This gives the fraying a softer and organic look. Your frayed skirt is ready, and you can wear it with a T-shirt.

Fraying and distressing denim this way gives it a whole new look. Add some embellishments in the form of studs and sequins and you will have your own unique piece of clothing.