The topic of remaking old jeans is quite relevant. On the Internet you can see many options for the rebirth of good old denim trousers. I propose to talk about one of them today. Namely, we will look at how to make a skirt from jeans.
There can be many reasons for such a transformation:
- hole in the knee
- fraying at the bottom (if the jeans were too long and reached the ground),
- become small, in which case they can be turned into a skirt for your daughter.
Or maybe your trousers are simply out of fashion, but still retain a decent appearance, why not make a skirt out of them for yourself or your child. I like the version with the alteration for the baby the most; as the action progresses, you will understand why.
Why you shouldn't throw away your old jeans
The household is constantly in need of something: kitchen towels, some rugs, bedspreads, all kinds of covers - the list can be endless. Therefore, old trousers or a jacket can become a source of material for such things. Thanks to their properties, old jeans may well find a second life in the form of a kitchen oven mitt or an “indestructible” apron for dirty work.
Even without special sewing and needlework skills, you can repeat similar ideas!
A rug for the hallway, a stylish wallet, a pincushion - is it really necessary to buy all this? A simple example: every home needs an item such as a bag - after all, everyone goes to stores. Why not make one from old pants or transform jeans into a skirt with your own hands. In most cases, this is not as difficult as it seems. Moreover, the scope for imagination is unlimited here, if only you have the time and desire.
The practicality of denim fabric is so great that pants can serve not only for their intended purpose, but also in the form of other clothing attributes and accessories.
What you need to cut and sew a skirt
In addition to the fabric, you will need additional tools:
- sharpened scissors;
- threads that match the texture and color of the material;
- chalk or bar of soap for marking;
- a large plastic pattern or a long ruler for cutting;
- measuring tape;
- tailor's pins;
- sewing machine.
Professionals recommend that beginning seamstresses make a pattern on paper and then transfer it to fabric. This will make it easier to correct minor errors and shortcomings.
Denim: features
Having appeared at the end of the 19th century, denim quickly gained worldwide popularity due to its durability and unpretentiousness. This state of affairs continues to this day!
Denim is a very fertile fabric to reuse.
It is most valued because of its advantages:
- Natural origin - made mainly from cotton.
- Wear resistance.
- Retains heat well.
- Allows the body to “breathe”.
- Perfectly processed.
- It wrinkles slightly.
- Not electrified.
Everyone can come up with their own cool idea to give old jeans a new life.
Known disadvantages:
- Sheds a lot when washed.
- Has a high degree of shrinkage.
- May become deformed (loses shape) over time.
A backpack made of jeans is original.
What fabric is suitable for sewing a pencil skirt?
A pencil skirt should emphasize all the advantages of a woman’s hips and hide problem areas. Therefore, the selection of material for sewing such a thing depends on the type of figure, style and time of year in which you plan to wear the skirt.
It is important that the fabric holds its shape well and is elastic, then the skirt will not restrict movement. On products made from coarser materials, it is necessary to make a cut at the back or slots. Experienced seamstresses advise beginners to avoid loose and too thin fabrics.
These materials are not suitable for sewing this model, as they wrinkle heavily, quickly lose their shape and become unusable. If a puff accidentally forms on a product made of chiffon or georgette, then it will no longer be possible to hide this minor flaw. You'll have to completely remake the skirt.
The pencil model can be winter or summer. To wear during the cold season, you should purchase dense material that retains heat well and allows little air to pass through. For summer skirts, on the contrary, you need light and breathable fabrics.
The table below lists materials suitable for different seasons:
| Season | Fabric name |
| Summer | Linen, silk, cotton, knitwear |
| Autumn | Jeans, eco-leather, suit fabric |
| Winter | Tweed, velvet, corduroy |
| Spring | Coton, satin, gabardine |
Depending on the style and purpose of the skirt, you need to choose the right fabric color. The classic pencil model is suitable for everyday office looks. Most often, companies introduce a certain dress code, so the color of the skirt should be monochromatic and not too bright.
Variegated patterns and large designs are suitable for summer and spring models. Skirts with yokes - can be plain or with a small print. For festive options, an eye-catching, bright color, such as orange, is suitable.
DIY skirt made from old jeans
In most cases, such a modification is not anything too complicated. Basic skills with a needle and scissors are enough. It all depends only on the idea and intention to complete the job. Unfortunately, perseverance and patience will be necessary here. However, even if it doesn’t turn out exactly the way you wanted, it can always be attributed to an artistic idea.
We suggest you sew a stylish denim skirt from your unwanted pants.
Additional Information! Today, even well-known companies are not afraid to experiment and produce their products in the style of “I’m my mother’s craftswoman” - so you shouldn’t worry too much about the fact that the clothes were sewn somehow “wrong”.
Classic version
It is assumed that this will be a fairly short skirt (straight style), at least revealing the knees.
The simplest option, which even an inexperienced seamstress can easily handle, is a miniskirt.
In general, you can convert jeans into a skirt with your own hands using the following procedure:
- Decide on the length. It should be remembered that you will need to add another two or three centimeters to the measured allowance.
- Unravel the inner seam.
- Near the zipper, open the central seam.
- Connect both parts. Turn the fabric right side inward, fold the edges and pin.
- Sew side seams. It is better to use a sewing machine here.
- Finish the center seam. To do this, the parts of the pants need to be overlapped and sharpened.
- Form the bottom. Cut off the excess, tuck the rest a little and finish the edge. You can make an additional edging from the remnants of the fabric - it will look like a collar.
By carefully studying the instructions and preparing the necessary tools, you can easily add a new stylish item to your wardrobe.
Model with wedge and seam
This option is good when a DIY skirt from old jeans needs to be made quickly and without any special tricks. The general principles of preparing pants are similar to those described earlier. The only difference is that the opposite ends are not deeply overlapped, but are fastened along the seam.
It doesn’t matter whether the trousers are torn, out of fashion or just tired, there is a use for every pair.
The resulting opening in the form of a triangle can be closed with part of the leftovers: cut a piece of fabric so that it covers the slot, protruding slightly beyond the edges, and stitch or stitch this area. The excess will be cut off when processing the bottom. In principle, this gap is allowed and not closed, here everyone decides for himself.
Sewing a skirt from jeans is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance.
Flared skirt
In this case, the top (waist part with a snake) will not be needed, since it is quite possible to make a flared skirt from jeans using just the legs. The only difficulty is the pattern, which needs to be made in the form of a trapezoid. To build it, measurements of the waist (top), hips (bottom) and the desired length are used. In this case, everything except the length must be divided by 4.
From jeans with wide trousers such as “tubes” or “flares”, you can make a flared skirt of medium length.
Then everything is not so difficult: rip and iron the jeans, arrange the pattern so that you can cut along it four times, then cut everything off, combine the parts and baste. For the belt, you can take an elastic band, which also needs to be covered with jeans. Try it on, fix it, try it on again and sew it on the machine.
The bottom edge is processed as usual.
How to convert jeans into a mini skirt with your own hands
This option is not much different from the classic one or with a triangle. The only difference is the level of courage, which will ultimately determine the length.
With the right combination of textures and colors, using different fabrics to create, you get an option that deserves attention.
Boho style
This style is good because it allows you to “legally” combine incompatible things. You can make the same miniskirt and sew the hem of a robe to it. Or attach a light bottom to a dark top.
One of the most popular styles of recent fashion seasons is boho.
Among the most common ideas is a “cross” of jeans and a sundress, a cotton dress or even a wedding dress. In principle, it is possible to combine different fabrics. The main thing is not to go too far beyond the limits.
Things in the boho style are multi-layered skirts, colorful sundresses, vintage jewelry.
How to make a patchwork skirt from jeans
An excellent solution if none of the pants are suitable for sewing entirely. In this case, it is enough to simply connect parts from different trousers. You can go even further and cut neat flaps, from which you can then “assemble” the skirt.
If earlier household items were created using the patchwork technique - rugs, bedspreads, etc., today patchwork clothing and accessories are popular.
A “striped” version would also be a good idea - you need to cut off parts of the legs from different jeans and connect them in series, gaining the desired length. Again, it all depends on imagination and possibilities.
Our thrifty ancestors have long been engaged in sewing from scraps of fabric - for them it was important to find a use for every piece of fabric.
Classic denim skirt
There are quite a few ways to turn worn jeans into a stylish skirt. First of all, you need to decide on the design of the finished product. If you don’t want to make inserts and ruffles, you should pay attention to the classic method. It is one of the simplest, allowing you to get a fashionable item in a minimum amount of time.
Note!
The bottom of the skirt can be hemmed or left unfinished. In any case, it will be an interesting model.
Materials:
- pins;
- scissors;
- ripper;
- threads;
- jeans;
- sewing machine.
Execution sequence:
- We decide on the length of the product. Add about 3 cm, cut off the pant legs.
- Steam the seams on the sides, front, back.
- Lay one pant leg over the other, trying to get a flat fabric.
- Sew the front and back seams.
- From the cut off trouser legs we cut out the parts for the wedges; you will need 2 of them.
- We apply the workpiece from the wrong side and pin it with pins. In the photo you can see how to do it correctly.
- Sew the piece on the front and back along the stitch lines.
- From the wrong side we cut off all excess.
- Trim the bottom of the skirt. We process it if desired.
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The item is ready, you can try it on. Surely such an outfit will attract attention. Every fashionista will be able to demonstrate her impeccable taste to everyone around her.
What are old jeans good for?
With the right approach, you can make more than just a rug or a napkin from old pants. How about upholstery for a chair or cat bed? The top of trousers or the bottom of a jacket with pockets will make an excellent organizer for small items or a stylish children's backpack.
An ottoman of their denim scraps will save you from a whole stack of old jeans and will decorate your country house or cottage.
Since today not everyone is interested in making a denim skirt from old jeans, many housewives prefer to expand the field of experimentation by making:
- Serving accessories.
- Baskets for remote controls for household appliances.
- Pillows.
- Blankets.
- Unusual jewelry.
- Gift wrapping.
- Kids toys.
- Stylish covers for books and albums.
It turns out that worn-out items can be put into use. Of course, knowing how to make a denim skirt with your own hands will not save you from buying new things - it will not replace an exclusive from a newfangled boutique. But it will be a thing made with love. Let it be for some small things, even for wearing around the house - it’s not so important. The main thing is to be able to feel like a Creator, and this is worth a lot!
If desired, the product can be decorated with buttons, ribbons, lace and other decorative elements.
Decorating the bottom of the skirt
Next we think about what we will do with the bottom of the skirt. It can be left untreated, but rather made into a fringe. How is fringe made? Yes, very simple. At the hem of the skirt, using a seam ripper or a thick needle, pull out the transverse threads.
The fringe design may vary. For a more interesting look, you can use scissors to make zigzag cuts in one or two places, and also add fringe in these places. This look will give the skirt a casual look that is in fashion right now.
If you do not want fringe, then you can use the resulting product in the form of a yoke. And already sew on it the hem from another unnecessary skirt. By combining two outdated items, you will get one new one that suits your taste.
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If you decide to leave the skirt as it originally turned out, then you should process the bottom, again using a sewing machine.
How to do it? If the fabric of the jeans is not quite thick, then you can make a hem with a closed cut, that is, first bend it by 0.5 cm, then by 1 cm and sew it on a machine along the entire length of the bottom. If the fabric is very dense, then you can first process the bottom with an overlocker, and then bend it 1 cm. The overlocker can be replaced with a zigzag stitch.
We figured out how to make a skirt from jeans. Now you can think about how to decorate it.
Photo of 50 options for original skirts made from old jeans
Step-by-step instructions for making a pencil skirt pattern for beginners
A pencil skirt, which is easy to sew with your own hands, should fit well to the body, so it is important to construct the pattern correctly. For the drawing you will need a ruler, pencil and scissors to cut out the resulting shape and transfer the markings to the fabric.
DIY pencil skirt - 1 option
This model is based on the basic straight skirt pattern. The main feature is the narrowing downwards. The intensity of the narrowing is determined individually, depending on the body type. Girls with curvy ankles and hips should make the bottom of the skirt a little wider than those with delicate figures.
To make a sewn skirt look elegant and emphasize the roundness of the hips and the beauty of the legs, it is necessary to make several darts. With their help, the product masks minor imperfections well.
Side line
First you need to draw a rectangle, the width of which will be equal to the half-circumference of the hips with an increase of 2 cm. The length of the rectangle is equal to the length of the finished product. The resulting figure must be divided into 2 parts. 1 of them should be narrower than the other by 2 cm. The narrow part is the back of the skirt, and the wide part is the front. The drawn line is called the side seam line.
Hip line
To mark this line, you need:
- Mark the top and bottom on the drawing.
DIY pencil skirt - option 2
- You need to step back 18 cm from the top. This value is considered standard and fits all sizes. In rare cases, you will need to set aside not 18 cm, but 23 cm. To make an individual calculation, you need to measure 1/2 the length of the back to the waist.
- Below you need to put a dot and draw a horizontal line.
This line shows where the highest points of the hips are located.
Calculation of dart sizes
There are also standards for undercuts, which change only in some cases:
- To mark the darts along the side seam, you need to set aside 3 - 3.5 cm from this line in both directions and mark it with dots. Then draw a semicircular line that does not reach the hip line by 3-4 cm.
DIY pencil skirt - option 3
- To design the front darts, you will need to step back from the middle of the front to the side seam about 12 cm and make a dot. It will be located in the center of the front recess, the width of which is 3 cm and the depth of 10 cm. All that remains is to draw a triangle according to the given values.
- Back darts are determined similarly. From the middle of the back fabric you need to step back 10 cm towards the side seam and put a dot indicating the middle of the dart. Its solution is 5 cm and its depth is 13 cm.
To select the size of the darts individually, you need to transfer the pattern to the fabric, cut and sew the side seams (not all the way in the upper part). Then, using pins, mark the convenient location of the recesses and their depth and solution.
Belt pattern
The standard width of the belt is 3.5 cm. When unfolded, the width of the belt will be 7 cm. You need to draw a rectangle with a height of 7 cm and a length equal to the waist circumference.
You need to add 6 cm to the length for the fastener, and 1 cm for a loose fit. To give the belt rigidity, non-woven fabric should be glued to the back side of the fabric. You can add several belt loops.
How to buy a master class
The master class on sewing this skirt model contains 150 photos with detailed comments. Price 300 rubles. You will receive the master class by email in PDF format after payment.
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Notify us by email about your decision to buy a master class on sewing a denim skirt. Enter the email address to which you want to send the master class. We will send you (at your choice) payment details: Sberbank card number or Yandex Money payment system wallet number.
How to sew a skirt without a pattern
The fastest and easiest option for sewing a pencil skirt of all those listed above. This style, like the elasticated skirt, can be classified as a sporty style. This model will not look as elegant as more complex options, but is suitable for a summer look.
Step by step:
- You will need elastic fabric of the same width and length as the size of the skirt.
- You need to cut out 2 identical parts from it and sew them together, making a smell.
- The edges must be finished using an overlocker.
It is better to use a button and loop instead of a zipper as a fastener.
It’s easy to sew a pencil skirt with your own hands. The main thing is to take your measurements correctly and buy the right material.
By following step-by-step instructions and recommendations from experienced seamstresses, you can easily and quickly update your wardrobe by sewing several skirts of different styles and colors.
Processing denim pockets
The pockets of jeans and a denim skirt must be lined and have a special shape.
A valance is attached to one part of the pocket lining. Its size should be such that when finished the lining does not “peek out” from the pocket.
Method number 5 - patchwork (difficulty 5 out of 5)
The ancient technique of patchwork needlework, using various cuts of fabric, allows a denim skirt to become the best part of your wardrobe. The difficulty lies in the amount of material required.
The more jeans in different shades, the better. However, having only two pairs of pants in your arsenal, you will get an interesting result if you complement the main color of the front side with a shade of the back side.
- First, you need to decide on the style. The option is not limited to the silhouettes suggested above. It all depends on the amount of fabric used.
- A pattern is created according to the selected style.
- Various rectangles and squares are cut out of old pants.
- The “mosaic” is assembled according to the pattern and held together with pins.
- Attach the result for trying on.
- The skirt is sewn using basting seams.
Recommendation
If you don’t have any special skills in cutting and sewing, you should choose patchwork to create a skirt, like the methods described above, when you have a base of denim pants, and not just denim flaps.
There are quite a few ways to remodel, and each has its own characteristics and uniqueness. You just need to follow your wishes and some advice. If you use men's pants, there are more opportunities to create new models. However, if you need a tight-fitting style, you should choose jeans from your own wardrobe, provided that they are of the skinny or pipe type. It is important to pay attention to the final decoration of the model. Scuffs and small tears look impressive, which perfectly masks some errors.
Method number 4 - flared skirt (difficulty 4 out of 5)
Having bell bottoms in your wardrobe, you can independently sew a flared skirt from denim trousers. The option is convenient in that only the lower part of the pants is used, while the top can be changed into mini or stylish shorts.
On a note
To work, you need to make a pattern in the form of a trapezoid, taking measurements of the waist (top of the picture), hips (bottom of the picture) and length. All measurements are divisible by 4, except length! It is more convenient if you draw an axis from which you plot half the value (girth divided by 4) in both directions. So, the result will be smoother. Do not forget about overlaps, add 1.5-2 cm on each side.
- Jeans are ripped and carefully ironed.
- The pattern is applied (4 times!) and outlined with chalk or soap.
- Carefully distribute the space so that there is enough for all 4 pieces.
- Cut along the contour.
- An elastic belt disguised with denim is prepared.
- All details are swept away and tried on.
- After fitting, the skirt is sewn on a machine.
It is more convenient when a zipper is sewn into the product.
