Things You'll Need:
- Pair of pants Fabric marking pen or chalk Ruler or measuring tape Scissors Rotary fabric cutter and mat, if desired Seam ripper Straight pins Thread to match pants Sewing machine or needle Denim needle for sewing machine, if using
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Step 1
Try on the pants. If the waistband and hips fit comfortably, you're ready to transform the pants into a skirt. Adjustments in these areas are more difficult, so try this project the first time using pants that work for you without other alterations.
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Step 2
Mark the desired length of the skirt on the pant legs, adding about three-quarters of an inch for a hem allowance. Use a ruler or measuring tape to indicate the mark evenly all the way across the pant legs.
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Step 3
Cut the pant legs on the mark, keeping the cut-off legs to use later. Use the seam ripper to remove the seams on the inside of the legs on the portion that now looks like a pair of shorts. Remove the seams all the way around inside the crotch and inside both legs. Leave at least an inch or two of seam below the zipper on the front; try not to disturb the stitching around the zipper at all.
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Step 4
Lay the former pants on a flat surface. You now have what looks like a skirt missing triangular portions of fabric on its front and back. Cut one of the reserved pant legs open from Step 3 using your scissors. Lay the piece of fabric that results under the triangular gap in the front of the skirt-in-progress. Use the fabric marker or chalk to trace the triangle shape of the opening onto the pant leg fabric. Cut out this triangle, adding three-quarters of an inch all the way around for a seam allowance. Repeat this process for the back triangle of the skirt.
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Step 5
Pin the triangles into place on the front and back of the skirt. You will have to make a slight fold at the bottom of the zipper and at the end of the seam on the rear of the pants, but the fold won't show when the skirt is worn. Sew the triangle pieces to the skirt by hand or using a sewing machine. Cut off any excess fabric on the inside of the skirt around the triangles.
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Step 6
Examine the bottom edge of the skirt you have created. This process will give you a somewhat curved hemline if you sew it as is; you can also cut it again straight across to get a completely straight hemline. Either way, make a hem by first folding the bottom edge of the fabric in about 3/8 of an inch, and then folding it over again another 3/8 of an inch. Pin the fabric in place. You may wish to iron the pinned fabric prior to sewing. (It's also a good idea to try on the skirt at this point to be sure you're happy with the planned length; just watch out for those pins.) Sew the hem. Your skirt is now complete.
