How to Make Denim Jeans

Whether you are frugal, crafty or just interested in trying your hand at making your own clothing, making your own denim jeans is a great starting point. Denim jeans have fairly simple construction. Completing a pair of jeans is a project large enough to give you a great feeling of accomplishment, and simple enough for even a novice to attempt.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Denim
• Thread
• Needle
• Sewing machine (optional)
• Embellishments (ie. zipper or buttons for fly, decorations)
• Pattern
• Pins
• Scissors

Make Denim Jeans

1. Cut out your pattern. Depending on your level of sewing ability or your personal preference, choose a pattern for pants or jeans. Patterns specifically for novices will have the words "easy" or "beginner" on the front of the pattern. Take your pattern home and cut apart the pieces. Patterns are printed on one sheet and folded, so you will have to cut the pieces apart in order to use them. Be careful to follow the lines, or you could make the pattern unusable.

2. Prepare your fabric and pattern pieces. Begin by laying out your denim and folding it in half so that you can use as much of the crease as possible. Pin the pattern according to the instructions. For the legs of the jeans, try to use the crease of the fabric. This will mean fewer seams to sew later on.

3. Cut out your jeans. Using a pair of very sharp scissors, cut the jeans along the lines of the pattern. If your scissors are too dull, they will twist on the thickness of the denim and possibly fray the material. Cut out each piece of the pattern, but leave the pattern pinned to the denim. This way you can tell which piece is which in the event you have to leave the project for a period of time.

4. Pin together the jeans. Work according to the instructions on your pattern. Typically this means beginning by sewing the two halves of the jeans together at the crotch. As you piece the jeans together remember to sew them right-sides together, otherwise your stitching will appear on the outside of your jeans.

5. Hem the jeans. Following the directions on your pattern, sew the inseams of the jeans, hem the bottom edges and fold over and stitch the waist. If you are uncertain that your hemming for the cuffs and waist are even, you can use a hemming tool, ruler or tape measure to measure the width.

6. Add embellishments. Following your pattern, attach the zipper or buttons to the fly and add any decorations or pockets to the jeans. Trim any excess threads, and try on your new jeans.

Tips & Warnings

• Following the directions of your pattern will save you time. Don't try to skip steps, this could cost you in the end.