How to Bell the Bottoms of Narrow-Leg Jeans

Bell-bottom jeans are back in style, and that's good news for those of us who are tired of narrow-leg jeans. If you have a closet full of skinny leg jeans, you can use basic sewing skills to add fabric and style as you widen the bottom of the jeans.

Things You'll Need

• Fabric for insert
• Matching thread
• Sewing machine

Instructions

1. Measure how wide you want the bottom of the legs to be, and where you want the bell to begin. Don't start the bell any higher than about an inch beneath the knee.

2. Start at the bottom of the leg, using a seam ripper to carefully open the seam, stopping when you reach the mark. Measure the length of the opening and cut the length of the insert material accordingly.

3. Layer two pieces of the insert material and fold it in half, wrong sides up. Using your measurements for the opening and a straight-edge, mark a diagonal cutting line on the fabric with the fabric marker. Remember that because the fabric is folded, you will need twice the width. For example, if you measure 4 inches on the folded fabric, it will open to eight inches.

4. Turn the jeans inside out and pin the insert fabric to the opened edges of the jeans, with right sides together.

5. Stitch the edges, using the same seam allowance that was used in the jeans. Backstitch at the top of the insert several times. Press the seam towards the jeans and away from the insert.

6. Turn the jeans inside out and top-stitch about ¼ inch from the insert seam. Re-sew the hem at the insert, press, and trim any loose threads.