How to Tailor Jeans

Finding the perfect pair of jeans is like the quest for the Holy Grail--nearly impossible. Tailor an existing pair of jeans to fit like a glove. Embellish an old pair of jeans with a little swift tailoring for fashionable style. Unleash the inner sewing diva and turn so-so jeans into va-va-voom jeans.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

1. Purchase or use an old pair of jeans for practice. Sketch a finished picture of the jeans you want to tailor. Measure the areas of the jeans to be taken in or shortened.
2. Use a flexible tape measure to measure the lengths and sizes of a pair of jeans, shorts or trousers that fits well. Put the measuring tape taut and measure the jeans when they are laying flat on a table. Jot down the measurements for the waistband, widest area of the hips, inseam and front rise (crotch to waistband).
3. Make the necessary cuts. To shorten jeans cut off the cuff so that it remains intact. Remove the extra length and then sew the cuff back on. Keep the seam very close to the edge of the cuff so you can't tell they were altered.
4. Use a seam ripper to take apart the sides of the jeans to take the legs in. Sew them back up with a wider seam allowance. Cut the waistband at the side and re-stitch to the desired fit.
5. Sew on fringe, trim or patches. Add grommets, studs or crystals if you want to embellish your jeans. Stitch the inside pockets down along the pocket opening if the pockets poke out.

Tips & Warnings

• Look at pictures of jeans in magazines to get an idea of what is stylish. Add your own twist on a popular trend.