How to Make a Jean Skirt from Your Old Jeans

Everyone has an old pair of jeans that are living past jeans' normal lifespan, but just can't be thrown out. They're your favorite pair; they're the only comfortable pair of jeans you've found in 10 years; they're the only dark jeans you have; you stole then from your BFF who lives across the country - we all have them!

If your jeans are developing a history similar to that of the Velveteen Rabbit, tossing them in the trash is not your only option. Inseam rips, worn cuffs, torn pantlegs - none of these matter when you re-create jeans into a skirt. 

(This can work for boys in converting jeans into jean shorts, although you'll obviously skip most of the steps below. Pretty much, cut the legs off and hem them. Or don't. Ok, this doesn't apply to guys at all.)

Gretchen, my own BFF requested this post several weeks ago. So here you go my dear, I'll see you at the Solstice!

Ok, ladies (and gentlemen who are secure in their masculinity) - get out your sewing machine and steal your mom's sewing accessories - it's time to take our wardrobe into our own hands!

Step 1: Put the jeans on and choose how long you want the skirt (or shorts) to be. You'll need to decide now whether you want the bottoms to be hemmed, or whether you prefer the "fringe" look. I've fringed all of mine before, and they turn out very nice -a la bohemian; I simply put a small seam about 1/4 inch above the bottom to keep it from fraying too much. We'll do a hemmed version here just so you can see the extra step.

Once you've decided how long you want your skirt/shorts, put them on and measure 1 1/2 inches below and mark with a marker, pen or chalk. Like this:

Take them off and lay them flat - make sure your dotted line is nice and straight. You don't need to mark all the way around the pantlegs, just lay them flat and cut both layers. Now you have this:

Now for the tricky part. Cut along the inside seam, on the side closest to the back of the jeans. Cut up along the inside seam to open the pants.

When you're done, keeping laid flat, fold the front flaps over one another, letting the pantlet seams make an upside-down V. The crotch material will bulge out; fold it over to the right, then cut up the seam in the middle just until the seams join, cutting along the right side of the single seam. Cut up far enough that the left side folds over at least an inch of material on the right and the front side lays flat. Now cut off some excess material so the top flap has a straight edge. Finished looks like this:

Here's the inside flap:

Now we'll do the back.

If you want an open, roomier skirt, cut and lay the back seam like you did the front. I want a tighter , A-line skirt (for the night club I never go to), so I'm not going to use any extra material. 

Pull the fabric in, laying the left side over the right, until the bottom cuffs join and form a straight edge. Cut up the middle seam on the right side no further than the bottoms of the pockets. If you don't have an ass, you can cut up further. If you're like Gretchen and me, leave that area nice and loose if you want to move in the skirt.

You might want to try it on to see how far you should cut it up and pin it so it lays. Mine looks like this:

notice the bulge of extra material above the pockets - that's Christmas, still hanging on

Ok, now front again. Make sure the front is pinned the way you want it, then turn skirt inside out. Using extra material from the pantlegs, cut a triangle big enough to cover the open upside-down V, with an inch overlapping on each side. 

Pin this from the inside, then turn it inside out again and see how it looks! Then, try it on - carefully! Adjust, if necessary.

Now we can sew.

I'm no expert on sewing (really), so if you're new to sewing or have an ancient sewing machine, Godspeed (no, seriously, I fought with my sewing machine through 2 Netflix and went through two spools of thread).

Do make sure you cover all upper seams (where the crotch used to be) well, especially if this area has been well worn. If the fabric is thin and you can't pull it over anymore, use extra fabric from the pantlegs and sew it over top the seams from behind. Sew over these seams at least twice (or with a heavy stitch), or you'll be fixing them again in a week.

Try it on, make sure it's sexy.

Hemming is easy - simply fold up the fabric (this works best while wearing it, to make sure you can wear this skirt in front of your parents) and put a few pins in it while it's on, front and back and sides.

Give this a nice, double row of seams. Trim, snip and wear it. Tear out all your stitches and start again if you sized it wrong. If it fits perfect, then congratulations!

Thanks for stopping by. By the way, readers, this little experiment of mine is going well. Half thanks to mom for inviting all her friends over, and half thanks to everyone for curious. Now, tell your friends. And use your friendly neighborhood Google Reader to subscribe to my RSS feed.