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How to… Make a Skirt from a Pair of Jeans

April 20, 2012

upcycled jeans Welcome to this week’s How to, where I am making a skirt out of an old pair of jeans!! To date, I have been saving all old jeans for crafting with the kids, using a small piece for a teddy bear’s leg here and another for some baby shoes there. Then the gorgeous Liz from Me and My Shadowsent me a 99 Ways to Cut, Sew & Deck Out Your Denim and I was inspired to think bigger – that is – upcycle my old pair of jeans into a skirt for me! Could I do it? Well why not…

I adapted the pattern slightly from the book (I think I simplified it) and there are one or two parts I could improve on next time, but overall I am pretty chuffed with the result!

The instructions are quite “rough and ready”.. but to be honest, I don’t think it is a problem – as you will have jeans of all shapes and sizes at home and I noticed that as I went a long, things were pretty flexible.

Materials: one pair of old jeans, scissors, pins, sewing machine, thread and needle 

upcycled jeans project

1) Take one pair of old jeans. If like mine, they have a hole in it, then the position of the hole will determine the length of your skirt! The bottom half or you leg will become a panel in the front and back of the skirt. So you have to cut the leg so there is enough length from the crotch of the skirt to the hem.

upcycled jeans project

upcycled jeans project   upcycled jeans project

2) Cut the legs off your jeans. Then cut out the crotch on both sides.

upcycled jeans project

3) Take the bottom part of the leg and cut out a triangle – see images – cut off the hem of the trousers too.

upcycled jeans project

4) Repeat with other leg and you will have two pieces as above – note that the triangle is not pointy at the top, but flat.

jeans to skirt

5) Place the panel underneath the front. Align the bottom of the panel with the bottom of the “main skirt”. Fold the top piece to create a hem and pin in place. You basically sewing the “main skirt” on top of the panel. I sewed the red lines with the machine TWICE. And then the yellow parts by hand. The yellow line (i.e. the crotch) is by far the hardest bit of this skirt and very fiddly. I actually have a small piece of the crotch seam sticking out, as it was difficult to bend it over. I just blanket stitched around it to stop it fraying.  Repeat at back.

6) Try the skirt for length. If need be shorten or tidy the hem length a little. Then hem the skirt.

jeans to skirt  

Done. What do you think? I think it is  pretty cool way to upcycle one pair of jeans and I know what I will be wearing this summer! The skirt is pretty comfy too – as the waist band of my old jeans in nicely worn in and a perfect fit! I even have pockets.

Have you made anything from old jeans before? What is it? Do share in the comments!

Here are some of my other favourite “upcycled crafts“:

upcycled crafts   upcycled crafts   upcycled crafts

Cutlery Windchimes

Old Shirt Juggling Chooks

Jeans to Micro Fibre iPod/ iPhone case

upcycled crafts   upcycled crafts   upcycled crafts

Upcycled Frame to Notice Board

Onesie to Rag Doll

Shirt/ Suit to Shopping Bag

Would to hear all about your favourite upcycled crafts too!

 

 

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Filed Under: How To's, Recycling, Sewing 41 Comments

Comments

  1. Chandi Holliman says

    April 20, 2012 at 5:16 am

    What a flashback from my high school days in the 70’s.
    These are so fun.
    Thanks for sharing

    Reply
  2. Zoe @ecothrifty says

    April 20, 2012 at 6:38 am

    What a great idea! I love upcycling and this is a great way to make use of some old jeans!

    Reply
  3. Cerys @ rainy day mum says

    April 20, 2012 at 7:36 am

    I have never done that it looks really good. It’s a shame my jeans are miles to big otherwise I would have a go

    Reply
  4. MotherWifeMe says

    April 20, 2012 at 7:57 am

    OMG, this take me back to my student days! Jeans to jeans shorts, jeans shorts to jeans skirt!! Hurray for up-cycling!!

    Reply
  5. Red Ted Art says

    April 20, 2012 at 8:00 am

    I wonder how fiddly it would be to do this with Red Ted’s jeans (with holes) and convert them got Pip Squeak??? What you guys reckon?

    Reply
  6. wholesale art says

    April 20, 2012 at 9:27 am

    That is very cool! I am rubbish at this kind of thing though, can hardly sew a button onto a shirt! Gonna try and learn though so thanks for this!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      April 20, 2012 at 9:44 am

      Aaah what a shame.. I would LOVE to convert you! I used to hate machine sewing but have made peace with the sewing machine!?

      Reply
  7. Salma says

    April 20, 2012 at 9:55 am

    Oh Maggie, this is genious! Putting my sowing machine on right now! Love it!

    Reply
  8. Red Ted Art says

    April 20, 2012 at 10:02 am

    Hooray Salma! I didn’t know you had a sewing machine! Yay yay yay!

    Reply
  9. Liz Burton says

    April 20, 2012 at 1:37 pm

    Fabulous! It looks amazing, I bet you’ll get loads more wear out of it now.

    Thanks for the mention x

    Reply
  10. Red Ted Art says

    April 20, 2012 at 1:39 pm

    Thanks for the book! And yes, I am loving wearing it!! Should I wear it to blog camp tomorrow?!

    Reply
  11. Keiiy Simble says

    April 20, 2012 at 9:50 pm

    Oh so clever and friendly enough 4 an all thumbs sewer like me. I was not needing another pair of cutoffs shorts but can love having lots of skirts. thank Thank Thank u!

    Reply
  12. Keiiy Simble says

    April 20, 2012 at 9:52 pm

    Oh this is embrassing, i m on my hushand PC and his keyboard is nice however. Mine seems 2 keep me more alert as 2 what Im typing. My name is KELLY not Keiiy, my way bad :/

    Reply
  13. mum of all trades says

    April 20, 2012 at 11:34 pm

    This is such a blast from the past! I remember making one of these as a teenager. Yours looks much more professional than mine did though! I love the way the panel is the slightly darker shade of denim, it really adds to it.

    Reply
  14. Christine says

    April 22, 2012 at 3:23 pm

    Cute! Funny, I cannot stand wearing jeans so I don’t know if I would do this for myself….
    I’ll bet your skirt would look darling with some lace sewn onto the hem!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      April 22, 2012 at 3:35 pm

      Oooh GREAT idea! I may just do that!

      Reply
  15. Mummy..Mummy..MUM!! says

    April 22, 2012 at 9:13 pm

    Very very cool Maggy! i might have to try this . x

    Reply
  16. Ruth says

    April 23, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm you always do the lovliest of projects! I’m pinning this to try when I finally get out of maternity clothes!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      April 23, 2012 at 6:48 pm

      Thank you 🙂 much appreciate your kind words!!!!

      Reply
  17. Isil says

    April 23, 2012 at 8:01 pm

    Hey,this is very creative and looks great! Wish I could sew!

    Reply
  18. Judy says

    April 23, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    Cute. I made a jean pencil skirt and loved it, except for how limiting it was. Something like this would be much more ideal.

    Reply
  19. Au Pair says

    April 24, 2012 at 1:21 pm

    Awesome! This is such a clever idea. 🙂

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      April 24, 2012 at 1:54 pm

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
  20. Dottie says

    April 24, 2012 at 6:26 pm

    What a great idea! Love it!

    Reply
  21. suzyhomemaker says

    April 25, 2012 at 12:22 pm

    I love this idea. I have a ton of jeans that I keep hoping to fit into again, but after a baby, things just are in different places no matter how much I weigh. 🙂

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      April 25, 2012 at 12:29 pm

      Tell me about it! Nature does crazy things with our bodies during pregnancy! Sigh!

      Reply
  22. Anu@MyDreamCanvas says

    April 30, 2012 at 6:25 pm

    Wow, great idea. This looks amazing! I look forward to seeing you at My Dream Canvas!

    Reply
  23. Angelique Felix says

    May 6, 2012 at 12:52 pm

    Great Creation dearest Friend!

    Thank you for linking up to Made With Love,
    Angelique

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      May 6, 2012 at 4:22 pm

      🙂

      Reply
  24. Patricia Torres says

    May 8, 2012 at 4:26 pm

    Oh my gosh.. thats a gorgeous revamp!! Loved it!!

    Reply
  25. Helen Neale says

    May 15, 2012 at 10:24 am

    Brilliant, as always. I am rubbish at all things craft, so always bow down to your imagination and skill. We are currently watching cress egg things grow in our house. And they will look nothing like they are meant to in the book, but thankfully, my kids don’t really care!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      May 15, 2012 at 11:21 am

      Aaaah but “the book” is just for inspiration – and things never look the way they do in books – that’s what makes what you do with your kids so special! Hooray for Cress Eggs!

      Reply
  26. Mealy says

    October 25, 2012 at 6:27 pm

    Love it. I have been looking for a denim skirt but actually have a pair of jeans with a hole in that I couldn’t bear to throw away. Looks like the cobwebs need to be blown off my sewing machine. My sister’s son made her a handbag from her old jeans at school! Cut off the legs, sew along the bottom and use some of the leg material to make a strap. Decorate with beads, glitter, buttons, sequins… You name it whatever takes your fancy. Look great!

    Reply
  27. Elisa says

    December 27, 2012 at 4:04 am

    LOVE this! is it possible to place a pattern fabric that isn’t of jean material on the front and back middles?

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      December 27, 2012 at 9:28 am

      Yes, that would look lovely!

      Reply
  28. Monica says

    April 10, 2015 at 10:51 am

    What a lovely piece! I made a yoga bag out of a jean pant leg. I incorporated both pockets into the bag. The side pocket became a water bottle holder, and seat pocket held my wallet/keys. I left the top open and attached a macramé belt to the top an bottom for a one armed sling. Minimal design effort, maximum use of outdated items : )

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      April 10, 2015 at 6:58 pm

      Oooh that sounds FAB!!

      Reply
  29. Joan Petrucci says

    June 19, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    Is there a brand or stye of jeans that work best? I tried with Lucky Brand straight leg & the back was bunchy between the pockets even though I cut pretty high up to alleviate the pucker! The V cut out out in back was also a little wide!!!

    Reply
    • Red Ted Art says

      June 20, 2018 at 8:31 am

      I am really not sure!! 🙁

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Its carnival time! says:
    May 15, 2012 at 8:41 am

    […] RedTedArt Jeans to Skirt! […]

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  2. The MADs Blog Awards Me-Time Carnival | Bizzy Mum -An Honest Mums Blog says:
    August 30, 2012 at 11:07 pm

    […] a loss as to how to spend it, why not modify a pair of old jeans? Maggy from RedTedArt shows you How to Make a Skirt from a Pair of Jeans, and with the simple step-by-step instructions and photos, even the least experienced […]

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