Sometimes an old pair of jeans won't fit the way they used to. Fortunately for you, you don't have to throw away these jeans. Instead, you can turn them into something new--such as a midi skirt. But how do you do this? We have researched the steps to transform a pair of jeans into a brand new mini skirt. In this post, we will walk you through them.
Here are the steps to make a midi skirt out of a pair of jeans:
- Measure the jeans
- Rip the seams
- Sew the seams back down
- Cut the pants
- Fold the pants
- Add the extra fabric
- Sew the pieces together
- Try on the skirt
You may be surprised to find that turning jeans into a midi skirt is relatively simple. You don't need many tools, and it can all be done within 30 minutes to an hour. Continue reading to learn more about the steps to do it.
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Steps To Make A Midi Skirt Out Of Jeans
Denim is a sturdy cotton textile used to make several types of apparel, including jackets, pants, skirts, and caps. When this material fits appropriately, it can be very fashionable and comfortable. However, if it begins to stretch or shrink from everyday wear and tear, you may find yourself trying to find a new way to repurpose it-such as turning it into a lovely skirt.
Things you'll need:
- Jeans
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Sewing pins
- Tape measure
- Chalk
- Seam ripper
1. Measure the jeans
Decide how long you want the mini skirt to be. Be sure to measure the length and then add an inch or two for the hem. Mark the areas of the pants you will want the hymns to be.
Check out this measuring tape on Amazon.
2. Rip the seams
Use a seam ripper to unpick the inner seams from the jeans, making sure to work your way around both legs of the pant. Keep in mind that it's best to hold the seam ripper with a full grip and pull it up and away from the jeans to avoid puncturing them when performing this step. Be sure to remove the stitching in the crotch area as well.
Find this seam ripper on Amazon.
3. Sew the seams back down
Next, sew the seams for the front and back of the skirt. Keep in mind that the edges should overlap one another until they lay smoothly. It's best to use topstitching when performing this step and use a thread that is the same color as the original stitching. Use your scissors to trim off any excess fabric on the top of the front flap.
4. Cut the pants
Take your scissors and cut the bottom of the pants where you placed the mark earlier for the hem. Be sure to cut them evenly across and make sure that both legs are the same length. Keep in mind that it's always better to be conservative with your initial cut instead of cutting off too much and having to add fabric and extra seams to the skirt later.
5. Fold the pants
Grab one of the pants legs and then fold it up 1 to 2 inches above the crotch, then do the same for the other pants leg. Take your measuring tape and measure both pants' lengths from the waist to the fold to ensure they are the same length. Then, cut the pants leg with your scissors right at the fold.
Next, flip the jeans onto their front so that the backside is exposed. Then, take your seam ripper and remove the seams on the backside of the jeans. This also includes the seams on the crotch area and the outer sides if you haven't removed those already. This step will make the material easier to fold and ensure that it won't lump over once the skirt is complete.
6. Add the extra fabric
Now it's time to head in the extra fabric to piece the midi skirt together. Start by placing the excess fabric from the pants leg that you cut off between the areas from which they were cut. Be sure to flatten them entirely, so they lay right on top of the main piece. This step will require great attention to detail, so it's best to take your time to measure the pieces correctly.
As you place the fabric on top of the skirt, use pins to hold it in place. Do this for the front and back sides of the skirt. Afterward, take a look at it to ensure that both sides do not have any gaps and have enough fabric to sew the hems.
7. Sew the pieces together
Next, place the skirt under the sewing machine and add a single or double-stitch to the front and back sides where you inserted the fabric. Then, go over the outer legs of the fabric to stitch those pieces together as well. Next, use your scissors to remove any excess material and then trim away any hanging threads.
Check out these sewing scissors on Amazon.
8. Try on the skirt
Now it's time to try on the skirt and check the fit. If you need to make any alterations, remove the seams with your seam ripper and then re-measure the skirt as needed. You'll also want to keep the extra pieces of fabric lying around if you need to make other adjustments.
How do you make a jean skirt out of jeans without a sewing machine?
Making a jean skirt out of jeans can be done by simply removing the stitching from the pants legs of the jeans. You'll then want to go back and remove the stitching from the entire crotch area. After you cut the bottom of the pants legs according to your desired length for the skirt, you can thread your needle and then create the hemline an inch or two above the cut area.
Check out this needle and thread kit on Amazon.
How do you stretch a denim skirt?
Denim fabric can be a bit fickle when it comes to various garments such as jeans, shirts, or skirts. The best method to use may depend on the specific type of denim, the kind of apparel, and the size of the garment. Let's discuss a few proven methods that will work for most garments.
Soak them in warm water
Soaking or washing the jeans and warm water can help them stretch out if they are too tight around the hips or waist. You can place the jeans on a regular wash cycle and add a small amount of detergent, though it's not necessary. You don't want to toss the jeans in the dryer, but instead, hang them dry either on a clothesline or on a flat surface. It also helps to physically stretch the garment after taking it out of the washer.
Wear them while stretching
Stretching your jeans by wearing them is one of the easiest ways to loosen them up. Over time, you'll notice that the jeans may become tighter with each wash. To prevent this, you can perform leg stretches while wearing jeans. You don't need to become a gymnast but stretch far enough for the jeans to loosen up around the hems.
It's also helpful to wear the jeans a few times before washing them. And when you do wash them, be sure to hang dry them instead of placing them in the dryer.
Pull the jeans
If you are looking to stretch the jeans to become longer, consider wetting the jeans from the knee down and then physically stretching the pants by holding the middle of the pants leg with one hand and tugging at it with your other hand. Do this for about 3 minutes on each pants leg.
How do you shrink a denim skirt without sewing?
Sometimes you may buy a skirt only to shed a few pounds how weeks are months after the purchase. Typically, you can shrink a skirt about a size or half a size down, depending on the type of denim it's made of.
The quickest and least involved way to shrink your denim skirt is to wash it and dry it. To wash it, be sure to place it on the hottest wash cycle with a minimal amount of detergent. Next, toss it in the dryer with a couple of dryer balls or golf balls so that it will dry evenly. When removing it from the dryer, it should feel a bit tighter. Repeat this as needed to shrink it further.
Wrapping Things Up
Denim is one of the most versatile fabrics that you can purchase for your wardrobe. Whether you are looking to transform a skirt into a pair of jeans into a skirt, shrink a pair of pants, shrink a skirt, or lengthen a pair of pants, you'll find that with the proper method, you can make significant alternate alterations to your denim garments.
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