DIY: Dyed and Studded shorts

So I kept seeing all these amazing DIYstuded/dyed shorts (like the pic below) and I really wanted to do it myself. So it's pretty easy it just takes time. 

Items you'll need: Cotton denim shorts (Levi's work fine), a dye color, 1/2 a yard of glue on studs, fabric glue, good scissors, 1/3 cup of salt and clear nail polish.

So soak your shorts in regular water while you get the dye ready. Make sure to use really hot water before you add the dye mix in. Stir well. Then put your shorts in the dye. Completely submerge them and stir. After a few minutes, stir in the 1/3 cup of salt and make sure the salt is completely dissolved. Leave the shorts in for 30 minutes stirring at least every five minutes. Take the shorts out, wring them dry and wash them in a steel washing machine. Make sure nothing else is in there. Then dry them and your dyed shorts should be good!

Decide where you want the studs. I chose two spots: the front inside pocket and the back pocket where I  ripped the pocket off. The first is easier than the latter. 

Glue on your studs with strips at a time. Otherwise you end up with glue everywhere and white popping out. (Please excuse my polish fading nails). I strongly recommend finding glue on studs. If you use regular studs, you will easily tire out your hands. If you live in LA, you can find them for $7/yard at Michael Levines in Downtown LA. Google it.

Your finished product should look like this.

Now for the back pocket, use the tip of your scissors (or a seam ripper works really well) and CAREFULLY cut out the thread seams. Pull on it a little, just don't pull it too hard or you'll end up with a hole in your ass.

Continue this until you're about 1/3 of the way down one side of the pocket.

Use the clear nail polish to seal the end so it won't unravel when you wash your shorts. This is a great little trick if you have something that's unraveled or come undone. Clear nail polish prevents anything from fraying.

Glue on the studs the same way. One strip at a time as to prevent ugly white marks from going all over the place. You can see in the photo below where I kind of messed up and there's white on the shorts.

Your finished product should look like this!

And there you have it! Look at the first photo to get some inspiration. I wanted a pair like the bottom left, and I have them! It all cost under $10 too (minus the Levis that I had lying around).

Song of the Day: "Blue Jeans" by Lana Del Rey