Have you ever had a pair of jeans that you loved but couldn’t wear anymore because they were too worn out? Or maybe you have a pair of jeans that you don’t like the fit of anymore. If so, don’t despair! You can easily upcycle your old jeans into a stylish and trendy jean skirt. Jean skirts are a great way to add a touch of personality to your wardrobe, and they can be dressed up or down to suit any occasion. Plus, they’re super comfortable to wear!
If you are new to sewing, this project is a great way to start. It is a good way to practice basic sewing techniques and you just need a few simple materials to get started, such as a pair of jeans, a sewing machine, and a few basic sewing supplies. Once you have gathered your materials, you can follow these simple steps to make your own jean skirt.
First, you will need to cut the legs off of your jeans. You can do this by measuring and marking the length you want your skirt to be, then cutting around the mark. Once you have cut the legs off, you will need to finish the edges of the fabric to prevent fraying. You can do this by using a serger, pinking shears, or a simple zigzag stitch on your sewing machine. Once the edges are finished, you can sew the side seams of the skirt together, and then hem the bottom edge.
Cutting the Legs to Create the Skirt Length
Determining the desired skirt length is the first step in cutting the jeans legs. Mark the intended length with a fabric marker or tailor’s chalk on the inside of the jeans leg. Ensure that both legs are marked evenly.
Lay the jeans flat on a stable surface, aligning the legs evenly. Secure the fabric with pins or weights to prevent shifting during cutting.
Using sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter and mat, carefully cut along the marked lines to remove the excess fabric. Avoid cutting too close to the stitching to prevent unraveling.
Once the legs are cut to the desired length, check for any uneven edges and trim them as necessary. Turn the jeans inside out to finish the raw edges.
To achieve a clean finish, consider hemming the skirt. A simple hem can be created by folding the raw edge up twice and stitching it securely. Alternatively, a more decorative hem can be created using a sewing machine or hand stitching techniques.
| Hemming Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Straight Hem | A simple fold-over hem with a straight stitch |
| Rolled Hem | A rolled edge secured with a zigzag stitch |
| Blind Hem | A concealed hem stitched from the wrong side |
Creating the Waistband
For the waistband, take the two rectangular pieces and sew them together along one long edge, right sides facing. Press the seam allowance flat.
Next, fold the waistband in half lengthwise, wrong sides together. Press the crease. Unfold the waistband and fold the long edges over to meet the center crease. Press these new creases. By folding the edges over twice and pressing, you are creating a clean, professional-looking finish. Fold the waistband in half again, right sides together, and sew the short edges together, catching the folded edges in the seam. Press the seam allowance flat. Turn the waistband right side out and press.
To attach the waistband to the skirt, align the raw edge of the waistband with the raw edge of the skirt top, right sides together. Pin the waistband in place, matching the center of the waistband with the center of the skirt. Sew the waistband to the skirt, using a seam allowance of 1 cm. Press the seam allowance towards the skirt. Fold the waistband over to the inside of the skirt and topstitch in place, close to the edge.
| Step | Details |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sew the two rectangular pieces together along one long edge. |
| 2 | Fold the waistband in half lengthwise, wrong sides together, and press. |
| 3 | Fold the long edges over to meet the center crease and press. |
| 4 | Fold the waistband in half again, right sides together, and sew the short edges together. |
| 5 | Turn the waistband right side out and press. |
| 6 | Align the raw edge of the waistband with the raw edge of the skirt top, right sides together. |
| 7 | Pin the waistband in place, matching the center of the waistband with the center of the skirt. |
| 8 | Sew the waistband to the skirt, using a seam allowance of 1 cm. |
| 9 | Press the seam allowance towards the skirt. |
| 10 | Fold the waistband over to the inside of the skirt and topstitch in place, close to the edge. |
How to Make a Jean Skirt Out of Jeans
Upcycling old jeans into a stylish jean skirt is a fun and sustainable way to refresh your wardrobe. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you transform your old denim into a unique and versatile piece:
- Old jeans
- Scissors
- Sewing machine or needle and thread
- Measuring tape or ruler
- Fabric marker or chalk
- Lay the jeans flat and cut off the legs, leaving about 4-6 inches of fabric above the desired skirt length.
- Fold the cut edge up twice by 1/2 inch and press it down to create a hem.
- Cut a strip of fabric from the remaining denim that is about 2 inches wide.
- Wrap the waistband around the top edge of the skirt, overlapping the ends by 1 inch.
- Sew the waistband in place, ensuring it is secure.
- Fold the waistband down by 1 inch and press it to finish the waistband.
- Create a pocket from a small piece of denim and sew it onto the front or back of the skirt.
- Embellish the skirt with studs, patches, or embroidery to add personal style.
- Try on the skirt and make any necessary adjustments to the length or waistband.
- Press the entire skirt to remove wrinkles and set the seams.
Gather Your Materials:
Preparing the Jeans:
Creating the Waistband:
Adding Details:
Finishing Touches:
People Also Ask About How to Make a Jean Skirt Out of Jeans
How do I determine the length of the skirt?
Measure from your natural waist down to where you want the hem of the skirt to fall. Add 2 inches to this measurement for the hem and waistband.
What kind of sewing machine do I need?
A basic sewing machine will suffice for this project. If you do not have a sewing machine, you can hand-sew the skirt using a needle and thread.
What other materials can I use?
You can use other denim fabrics, such as vintage denim or stretch denim, to create your skirt. You can also use different materials for the pocket and embellishments.
