How to Make a Ruffled Jean Skirt
Making your own clothes can be a rewarding way to spruce up your wardrobe. Many times, we simply cannot find that skirt we want in our local retail outlets. Being able to make it yourself can save you time and money, plus, you can be assured that no one else will be wearing your outfit.
Things You'll Need
- Scissors
- Material
- Pair of jeans
- Heavy duty sewing thread
- Medium width lace
- Sewing pins
- Sewing needle or sewing machine
- Fabric glue
Instructions
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1
Choose a pair of jeans that fit well in the waist, but not tight in the hip area. Cut the jeans straight across the front and back below the pockets but above the crotch removing the legs and crotch seam. Even out the bottom of your cut area to match front to back.
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2
Measure around the bottom of your cut jeans. Multiply your number by three. This will be the length measurement for your ruffle material. You will need 32 inches of width for the pattern described here. The measurement will be larger than most commercially made fabric. Consult a professional at your fabric store for assistance in buying the appropriate amount of material.
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3
Cut a four inch wide strip the full length of your selected material. Then cut a six, eight,10 and 12-inch width strip. Using fabric glue, make a very small seam on the length edges of each of your strips.
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4
Sew two parrellel lines of heavy duty thread loosely along one length edge of each of your strips. Keep the lines close together and close to the edge, not on the glued seam. Leave approximately two inches of thread hanging out each end. Gently push your material, or gather, along the thread until the strip fits around the bottom of your denim piece. Even out the gathers and then tie the loose threads from each end togther tightly. You will want your strips to slightly overlap themselves when wrapped around the denin piece. You have now created your ruffles.
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5
Place your four-inch ruffle around your denim piece approximately two inches above the bottom. Use your measuring tape to place the ruffle evenly around. Pin into place and sew or glue the material into place. Place your six inch ruffle immediately below the sewn or glued seam, under your four inch ruffle. Sew or glue into place. Repeat this process for your eight, 10 and 12-inch pieces.
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6
Place a medium width lace strip over the top of the seam of your top ruffle. Sew in place. This will hide the outward seams from view.
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Tips & Warnings
For a longer skirt, add additional ruffles or lengthen width of each. You may choose to use two or even three different colors of material for your ruffles to make your creation more colorful. Consult your craft expert for material measurements if you choose this option.
Do not machine wash your skirt. The fabric glue may not hold up to the harsh washing cycle. Hand wash your item and hang dry.
