How To Make A Denim Skirt

It’s back! Remember the days when you stitched your old jeans into a fashionable jean skirt? Now you can create your own unique jeans skirt using Simplicity´s easy-to-follow instructions below:

Materials Needed:

• Old pair of jeans
• Matching or contrasting thread
• Seam ripper
• Pins
• Scissors

Instructions

Step 1: Using a seam ripper, open inner leg seams from lower edge to center (crotch) seam. Open center front seam to lower end of fly. Open center back seam to lower end of yoke or to within 5″(12.5cm) of waistband.

Step 2: Working on a flat surface, lap one front over the other so that lower end of fly lies flat without a lump. Pin center seam in place. Lap back sections in same manner. Notice the jeans have formed an A-line shape. Do not try to force the inner leg edges to meet.

Step 3: Try on garment. Now is the time to decide how flared you want your skirt to be, as well as the finished length. Adjust pins at center seams if necessary. Mark length. Remove garment. Machine-stitch center seams in place 5/8″ (1.5cm) from raw edge, starting at upper end of openings and ending 5/8″(1.5cm) from inner leg edges, as shown. Be careful not to catch opposite side of garment into stitching. Back-stitch to reinforce stitching. Stitch again 1/4″ (6mm) from first stitching.

Step 4: Cut off lower ends of legs at marking. Insert jeans leg under lapped front sections, as shown. Make sure raw edges of skirt lap at least 5/8″ (1.5cm) over leg. Stitch each inner leg edge in place 5/8″ (1.5cm) from raw edge, connecting to stitching at center seam. Stitch again 1/4″(6mm) from first stitching. Back-stitch to reinforce stitching. On inside, trim away excess fabric from seams to within 5/8″(1.5cm) of stitching. Apply remaining jeans leg to skirt back in same manner.

Step 5: Trim lower edge of skirt evenly. If you prefer, machine-stitch 1″ (2.5cm) from lower edge of skirt. This stitching will prevent the edge from continuing to frey during future washings.

Additional Tips:

• If you prefer your skirt to have a finished look, remember to press under edges of inner legs before stitching them to insert and allow for a 1″ hem at lower edge.
• A purchased contrast fabric can be used for front and back insert sections.
• Embellish your skirt using lace, ribbon or braid along lower edge and seams.