DIY Vintage Jeans... Coffee Style

by threadbanger

77K12665

Intro: DIY Vintage Jeans... Coffee Style

It's amazing the things you can find in the dumpster. We found some expired coffee grounds that were thrown out and decided to use them to make an old pair of worn out jeans vintage and hip.

STEP 1: Making the "coffee" Dye.

First off, to make the dye, you will need 2 bags of coffee grounds (About 10 oz each), preferably espresso.

STEP 2: Getting Your Dye Bucket

Then, get a 3-5 gallon bucket. We got ours for free at a local ice cream shop, but any kind of bucket should work.

STEP 3: Making the Filter.

Next, you will have to make a filter. We used some old stockings that we cut the tops off and filled with the coffee grounds. Then make sure you tie the tops tightly.

STEP 4: Brewing Your Dye!

Put the coffee - grounds filled stockings into the bucket and fill it about 3/4 to the top with hot water. Make sure there's enough room for the jeans without the water spilling over.

STEP 5: Gettin' the Right Shade of Dye Color.

Let the coffee brew for about 15 to 20 min. Note: The darker the brew, the darker the stain.

STEP 6: Let the Brewing Begin

Then drop in your jeans and let them sit overnight.

STEP 7: Wash 'N Dry!

The next morning, take out your jeans and throw them in the washer and dryer.

STEP 8: Your New Dyed Jeans -- Coffee Style!

Congratulations! You're all done!! Now you've got a nice, light brown tint to your jeans.

STEP 9: Now, to Distress the Jeans....

Grab some sandpaper and a couple random objects with a hard surface such as coins, cell phones, mint tins... etc. Put these in the pockets and sand around the edges!

STEP 10: Feelin' Cheesy?

A cheese grater makes a great addition to the smaller abraisions and gives it lots of texture.

STEP 11: Some Car Destruction.

Or, you could even run them over with your car!

STEP 12: You're All Done Now!

Now you've got yourself a one of a kind rad pair of jeans for little or no cost!

STEP 13: Watch the Video!

Still can't get enough? Watch the video!


And for more ThreadHeads episodes and How To's, check out our website!

65 Comments

dhechu 8 years ago

Very interesting .... coffee style jeans.

DivyankaP 8 years ago

It's nice to show the steps for a Coffee jeans and that too with distressing method. But when we can get these new why to take all the effort out and get low results, unless this really works that's good. Buying men's distressed jeans online is a better option i think, Nice post.

Crash2108 16 years ago

Old jeans look new? Do not you mean the other way around? Anyway, if you want old shitty jeans, just go to a pawn shop or garage sale.

adapt 16 years ago

how many people buy jeans at pawn shops?

skylane 13 years ago

LOL... apparently plenty... I've never seen jeans in a pawn shop.. always sold out!!

Brom4 14 years ago

I also tried this and found no results. Granted I did use a new pair of jeans but even after a day in the coffee( two 10oz bags) and a day to let the jeans dry and the stain set. The stain still washed out after the first wash in cold water. Not even the pockets remained coffee stained. I believe in theory this is a great idea but not so much in practice. Maybe I'll try again with a lighter more worn pair but not any time soon. On a more positive note the tips for distressing the jeans worked excellently. I highly recommend doing those instead of buying a pair of pre-distressed jeans. Unless you want to wear the jeans to a pulp because that works too.

J@50n 14 years ago

 was it espresso? espresso is STRONGER!

thartaros 14 years ago

could you use black tea as a dye instead of coffee?

peskypesky 14 years ago

ok...i tried it and had no success. the jeans looked almost exactly the same as before. granted, i only used one bag of espresso coffee, but i though i would see at least some stainage after an entire night of soaking. i'll guess i'll try it again with tweo bags and see if i have more luck. will let y'all know.

jonbee 15 years ago

I know this thread is outdated, but I just I would throw in my 2 cents worth, such as it is. This was already covered in part, but yes, you should dry the jeans after soaking them in your steeped solution, This will heat set the stain, obviously. In addition, when you wash them for the first time, wash them on cold, with no detergent. Simply pour in 2 teaspoons... or tablespoons... pick the bigger of the two, i can't remember which is which. for whatever reason, I'm not a chemist, the vinegar causes the color to bind to the fabric better than heat treating alone.

sayako 15 years ago

Hey, but who tell you, that it must be new jeans? I will do it at my old jeans.

sayako 15 years ago

Omg! I just have a jeans what i just love, they suits me perfectly, and i have a hole in the back O.o Now i do THIS to they, this will be awesome.. *__* BIG thanks, guys! You save my jeans xD

urbanhg 16 years ago

so i didnt read all of the comments but maybe you can try just putting them in the dryer on a high setting that should help set in the stain. i imagine by washing them you take out most of the the fresh wet coffee... also if you do think you should wash them try not using any detergent just run it with water.... and maybe before you put it in the dryer run it in the spin cycle of the washer to get out a bit of extra moisture

schimmi 16 years ago

i wanna do this with a shirt

QUICKDOG 16 years ago

Where can I buy that Yellow submarine? It's really cool.
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