How to Make a Blue Jean Broom Skirt
Recycle your old denim jeans into an easy and attractive broom skirt. You can also pick up old jeans for a small price at yard sales and thrift stores. Ideally, you want to choose ones that have a similar gauge and weight, but do not worry about trying to match the color, since a variation in shades actually adds to the charm of the skirt. You can also bypass cutting up old jeans and purchase new fabric to sew this skirt.
Instructions
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Determine the desired length for your finished skirt. You can customize the length by adding or subtracting from the number of tiers. A mid-calf length for an average height woman requires five or six pairs of jeans.
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Choose one pair of jeans for the upper section of the skirt. Cut off the bottom of this pair by measuring an inch below the bottom of the zipper placket in the front. This should be just above the crotch seam and at least 1/2 inch below the back pockets. Cut evenly because you will be using this edge to attach your first strip.
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Cut the rest of the jeans into 5-inch-wide strips by laying the jeans flat and measuring a strip 5 inches wide, starting at the ankle and running all the way up leg. Cut through both layers. The actual length of the strips will vary depending on the inseam of each pair of jeans. An average length is 30 inches.
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Lay out your strips, end to end, varying the pieces to balance the different shades. Starting with the first two strips, sew the narrow edges with right sides together. Unfold and attach another strip in the same manner. Continue until all strips have been attached, forming one very long strip.
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Measure your hips at the widest point. Add 6 inches to this measurement to determine the length of strip that will form the first tier. Cut this measurement from your long, pieced strip. Fold together to make a loop, right sides together, and stitch together the narrow edges, creating a seam 1/4 inch from the edge. Then machine slip-stitch 1/4 inch along the edge of the loop. Gather evenly to the same width as the bottom of your original jean section that has the zipper. Pin the right sides together and stitch 1/3 inch from the edge.
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Complete the remaining tiers by making each strip 6 inches longer than the last strip, gathering and attaching as you go, until you reach your desired length. Hemstitch the bottom tier to complete the skirt.
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Create the broom skirt crinkle by washing the garment, then while still damp, evenly gathering the skirt along its length into a thick rope. Using rubber bands, secure the gathers every 2 inches. Stop when you reach the top zippered section. Dry on a low-temperature setting until thoroughly dried, then remove the rubber bands and shake loose.
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Tips & Warnings
Embellish your skirt with buttons, ribbons, rhinestones and lace.
Wash and dry the jeans before measuring and cutting.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo, courtesy of sxc.hu/
