How to turn an old pair of jeans into a cute pair of capris

With an old pair of jeans you can make just about anything fashionable. In this case, you will be making a pair of capris. Using one pair of jeans, you can create one of three very chic capri styles. Read on to learn how to turn an old pair of jeans into a cute pair of capris.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Old jeans
• Scissors
• Sewing needle and thread or hemming tape
• Iron (if using hemming tape)
• Fabric (optional)
• Bleach (optional)
• Paintbrush (optional)
• Stencil (optional)
• Permanent marker or fabric paint (optional)

The Basic Capri

1. Cut your jeans just below the desired length that you would like to have them. Capris can be anywhere from just below the knee to mid-shin. This is your design and your choice for length.
2. For cuffed capris, roll the pant leg up 2 inches and then again 2 inches.
3. Tack the sides of the pant legs with thread and needle or hemming tape to maintain the cuff.

A Bit of Flare

4. To make the capris a bit more trendy and unique, take the fabric that you have and cut a piece that wraps around about a 1/2-inch longer the entire width of the pant leg and is approximately 4 1/2 inches long.
5. Fold the fabric once in half so that the wrong side is up. When you fold the fabric, it should be folded that from top to bottom is 4 1/2 inches long.
6. Where the ends of your fabric meet (opposite the fold line), sew or hem the fabric 1/2 inch from the edge. This will create a "sleeve-like" piece.
7. Turn your uncuffed capris inside out and turn your fabric right-side out. Slide the sleeve over the pant leg so that the bottom of the sleeve is even with the bottom of your pant leg.
8. Sew or use hemming tape to attach the top and bottom of the fabric sleeve to the jeans. If you sew the fabric, be sure to sew to the top of the fabric a 1/2-inch from the top of the fabric so that when you cuff the capris, you don't have a seam above the cuff.
9. Repeat Step 1 through Step 5 for other pant leg.
10. Turn capris right-side out and cuff bottom of pant legs according to Step 2 of Section 1. Roll the pant leg up 2 inches and then again 2 inches. Tack the sides of the pant legs with thread and needle or hemming tape to maintain the cuff.

Taking It One Step Closer to Diva

11. In a well ventilated area, pour a small amount of bleach into a bleach safe container. Cover surface that you will work on with a plastic garbage bag.
12. Place a plastic grocery bag, old towel or white cloth in the pant leg of your capris.
13. Using a cotton ball or paint brush, paint circles, squares, various shapes......whatever you want in random spots on the front and back of both pant legs.
14. Once bleach spots dry, take your stencil and place in middle of of bleach spot. It may be easier to tape stencil to capris while completing design.
15. Using a permanent marker or fabric paint and a paint brush, fill in your stencil. Repeat for all bleach spots.
16. Let marker or paint dry for 24 hours before wearing your latest fashion creation.

Tips & Warnings

• Use rubber gloves if using a cotton ball to apply bleach to capris.
• Do not do bleach or painting portion of this creation outside on a windy day. More than just your capris will be affected.