How to Use a Pattern to Make a Denim Skirt From Jeans

Make a denim skirt from an old pair of jean by using a pattern.

Take that old pair of ratty jeans in the back of your closet, and reuse them to make a gorgeous denim skirt. This will not only save you money, but it will result in a one-of-a-kind piece that is personalized to fit your unique style. Making a denim skirt from old jeans is possible without a pattern. However, using a pattern creates a guide that makes sewing easier. Sewing patterns are found in most craft stores, but a pattern is easy to make yourself with just a few basic sewing tools.

Things You'll Need

• Jeans
• Chalk
• Tape measure
• Sewing ruler
• Scissors
• Seam ripper
• Pins
• Wrapping paper
• Pencil
• Sewing machine
• Thread
• Sewing needle

Instructions

Preparation

1. Find a pair of jeans that still fit at the waist. The jeans can have holes or be out of style. Put the jeans on, and then drop your hands by your sides. Mark the area where your index fingers hit. This is one of the most flattering lengths for a skirt; however, you can make the skirt as long as you like.

2. Lay the jeans on a flat surface, and measure up from the bottom of the hem to the chalk mark. Mark a straight line across both legs of the jeans. Use the sewing ruler to make the lines straight.

3. Cut off both legs of the jeans at the chalk lines. Set the pieces aside.

4. Turn the jeans inside out, and cut along the inside seams on both legs. Then, insert the seam ripper hook under the thread of the seam at the crotch. Rip the seam from the crotch to the zipper with the seam ripper. This creates two small flaps.

5. Place one flap under the other to flatten the area under the zipper. Pin the fabric flaps down.

Making a Pattern

1. Insert a piece of wrapping paper in between the front and back of the jeans. The wrapping paper piece should fill the triangular opening created by the legs of the jeans.

2. Beginning at the inside bottom of one leg, use a pencil to trace along the edges of the legs onto the wrapping paper until you get to the inside bottom of the other leg. Then close the triangle with a slightly curved line that connects the ends of the pant legs. Remove the wrapping paper. You should have a triangular-shaped drawing.

3. Retrace over the sides of the triangle with the ruler to ensure the lines are straight. Then draw a 1/2-inch seam allowance around the outside of the triangle lines. Cut the pattern out around the seam allowance lines, and label the pattern "Front."

4. Repeat Steps 1 through 3 of this section for the back panel of the jeans, and label it "Back."

Sewing

1. Take one of the leg pieces set aside earlier and turn it inside out. Cut along the inside seam on the side of the leg piece, and lay the piece flat.

2. Pin the triangular pattern to the leg piece so that the point of the pattern is at the top of the fabric seam. Pin along the edges of the pattern so that the pins are parallel to the edges. Cut the denim around the edges of the pattern. Repeat the process for the back panel pattern.

3. Remove the pins and the pattern from the front fabric panel, and slide the panel under the front layer of the jeans.

4. Pin the panel to the jeans with the pins placed about an inch apart. Do not pin parallel along the edges; rather, pin perpendicularly so that you can sew directly over the pins.

5. Sew over the pins by positioning the needle over the beginning of the crotch seam and pressing the foot pedal. Stop right before the curved end of the skirt, and manually sew the last few stitches. Sew the flaps at the top of the skirt. Then sew down the other side of the panel.

6. Repeat Steps 1 through 5 of this section for the back panel. Turn the skirt right side out. Let the edges of the skirt fray naturally.

References

• Jane's Sew and So: Jean Skirt Instruction Sheet