Ripped, shredded and distressed denim and jeans are red-hot, but there's no need to pay a fortune for designer versions! Here are some tips from the experts at Cotton Incorporated on how to transform your old jeans into new, torn-up masterpieces.

Difficulty: Average

Time Required: Less Than Two Hours

Here's How:

1. Be sure to ask your parent or guardian's permission before beginning any project.
2. You can distress the knees and the bottom hems of your jeans with a handheld cheese grater. Start with a light pressure and slow movements until you see the depth of the distressing. When you achieve the desired look, stop.

1. Using a pair of fabric scissors, cut a slit or small triangle into the bottom of your denim jeans. You can do it on the inside of the leg, the outside or both. This is a good way to convert a pair of jeans into a boot-cut in seconds flat.
2. For a deconstructed, old-timey looking pair of jeans, remove the waistband. The best approach is to use a seam ripper. Seam-rip the belt loops first, then remove the waistband.

What You Need:

• A pair of jeans
• Handheld cheese grater
• Fabric scissors
• Seam ripper
• Clean workspace