Upcycle Your Denim: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making a Stylish Skirt from Old Jeans

Are your favorite jeans starting to look a little worn, or maybe they just don’t fit quite right anymore? Instead of tossing them out, why not give them a new life as a trendy and unique denim skirt? This project is not only a fantastic way to reduce textile waste but also a fun and rewarding craft that allows you to express your personal style. This guide will walk you through the process of transforming your old jeans into a stylish denim skirt, providing detailed steps and instructions for sewers of all skill levels. Get ready to unleash your creativity and give your old jeans a fresh, fashionable makeover!

Why Upcycle Your Denim?

Before we dive into the tutorial, let’s talk about why upcycling denim is such a great idea:

• Sustainability: The fashion industry is a major contributor to environmental waste. Upcycling gives old clothes a new purpose, reducing the amount of textile waste that ends up in landfills.
• Uniqueness: By creating your own skirt, you are guaranteed to have a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects your personal style.
• Cost-Effective: Rather than purchasing new clothing, you are reusing materials you already have, saving money and reducing consumption.
• Creative Outlet: This project provides a chance to unleash your creativity, experiment with design, and learn new sewing skills.
• Personal Satisfaction: There’s a special sense of pride that comes from creating something beautiful and useful from something old and discarded.

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather the following materials and tools:

• Old Jeans: Choose a pair of jeans that are the correct size around your hips/waist or slightly larger, as you will be altering them into a skirt. Consider the style you want. For example, flared jeans can easily make an A-line skirt, while straight leg or skinny jeans might lend themselves better to a pencil skirt.
• Measuring Tape: Essential for taking accurate measurements to ensure a good fit.
• Fabric Scissors or Rotary Cutter: Sharp scissors are crucial for clean cuts through the denim fabric. A rotary cutter and cutting mat are helpful if you prefer, particularly for long, straight cuts.
• Seam Ripper: For removing belt loops, side seams, and inseams. A good quality seam ripper is essential.
• Straight Pins: Used to hold fabric pieces together securely before sewing.
• Sewing Machine: A sewing machine is highly recommended, but hand-stitching is possible, although much more time-consuming.
• Matching Thread: Choose a thread color that matches your jeans.
• Optional: Fabric chalk or marker, iron, ironing board, ruler or quilting ruler, patches, decorative trim, buttons, or other embellishments for customization.

Step-by-Step Guide: Making Your Denim Skirt

Now that you have your supplies ready, let’s get started!

Step 1: Preparing Your Jeans

1. Wash Your Jeans: Make sure your jeans are freshly washed and dry before beginning. This will prevent any shrinking or unwanted residue later in the process.
2. Try Them On: Put on the jeans and determine where you want the skirt to sit on your waist or hips. Use a fabric marker or chalk to mark the desired length. Remember to add a few extra inches for the hem allowance, as you will likely hem the skirt. It is always better to cut a little less and try again than too much.
3. Remove the Belt Loops: Use your seam ripper to carefully remove all the belt loops. Do this slowly to avoid damaging the denim. Store them away safely as they may be useful later if you want to add some detail to your skirt.
4. Cut the Legs Off: Lay your jeans flat on your workspace. Following the marked line, cut the legs off. Be sure to cut straight across, avoiding any angles. You can use a ruler and fabric chalk to create a line if you are using scissors or just align your ruler with the desired cut line if you are using a rotary cutter.
5. Rip the Inseam: Using your seam ripper, rip open the inseam (the inner leg seam) on both legs. Start at the bottom cut edge of each leg and continue ripping all the way up to the crotch point. Repeat this on both sides of the jeans. Be careful not to accidentally rip the back seam of the jeans or other areas where you don’t want to create openings.
6. Rip the Front Seam: Rip open the front seam. Start from the very bottom edge of your skirt and carefully rip all the way up to the crotch point. Again be careful not to rip the back seam of the jeans. You should now have the front of your jeans completely open. The back of your jeans are now the back of your skirt, and you have two front sides of your jeans that will be used to create the front of your skirt.
7. Clean Up Loose Threads: Remove all the loose threads from the ripped seams and the cut hem.

Step 2: Creating the Skirt Front

1. Overlap the Front Panels: Lay your jeans flat with the front section facing up. Overlap the two front panels, with one overlapping the other in a way that creates a smooth, even front panel for your skirt. Make sure the overlapped area is an equal amount on both sides, so the final front panel is centered. You want the fabric overlap to extend down the center of the skirt (the area that you ripped open).
2. Pin the Overlap: Pin the overlapped area securely. Start by pinning the top edge and work your way down to the cut bottom. Make sure the raw edges are aligned to create a seamless finish. Pin at regular intervals, about every 2 to 3 inches, ensuring the denim lays flat with no puckering or gaps. This will help the skirt have a nice, smooth, even look.
3. Sew the Overlap: Using your sewing machine, sew the overlapped edges together, using a straight stitch. Start at the top edge and sew all the way down to the bottom. Maintain a straight stitch and sew relatively close to the original seams for a clean look. Carefully remove the pins as you sew, to prevent needle breakage. Backstitch at the beginning and end of the seam to secure it.
4. Iron the Seam: After sewing, use an iron to press the newly sewn seam flat. This will help the skirt lay smoothly. Press on the back of the fabric to avoid any damage and ensure that the edges of the overlap sit nicely.
5. Try On the Skirt: Carefully try on the skirt, being mindful of the newly sewn seam and any pins that may remain. Check the fit around your waist/hips. If the fit feels too tight, you might need to add additional fabric inserts (see instructions in Step 3 below). If it is too large, you can take it in with additional sewing, but be sure to check it again before making additional alterations.

Step 3: Dealing with Gaps and Adjusting Fit

Depending on the size and cut of your jeans, you may have gaps at the front of the skirt. These gaps are caused by the curve of the legs. Here’s how to address them:

If You Have Small Gaps:

• Take it in: If the gaps are small (less than 1 inch), simply overlap the edges at the top to reduce the gap and pin it. Sew these edges together as you did in Step 2. Make sure you create a nice curve so it does not look uneven.

If You Have Larger Gaps:

• Fabric Inserts: You’ll need to use the extra denim from your cut-off legs to create inserts. Cut pieces of denim that are approximately the shape of the gaps, but a little larger. These pieces should be triangular or trapezoidal in shape, to fit the curve of the skirt. Place these pieces under the gaps, allowing some overlap, pin, and sew in place. Trim the excess fabric and press. Be sure to mirror this procedure on the opposite side of the front to ensure the skirt is symmetrical.
• Creating a more flowing a-line skirt: If you want a skirt with a more a-line shape, you may want to add larger triangle or trapezoid shaped inserts at the top edge of the front of the skirt, filling the gaps with this material. This will allow the skirt to flare out more.
• Consider adding a second insert: In cases where the gaps are larger, you may need to make multiple smaller inserts that you add to the front. This can be a better option than having large inserts that can distort the shape of your skirt.

Step 4: Hemming the Skirt

1. Determine Hem Length: Try on the skirt and decide on the desired length. Remember to account for a small hem allowance (approximately 1-2 inches).
2. Mark the Hemline: Using a fabric marker or chalk, mark the hemline all the way around the bottom of the skirt. Use a ruler to keep the line even.
3. Fold and Pin: Fold the raw edge of the skirt up by about 1/2 inch. Press the fold with an iron. Then, fold up again by another 1 inch, or your desired hem width. Pin the hem in place all the way around the skirt.
4. Sew the Hem: Using your sewing machine, stitch the hem in place. Be sure to remove the pins as you sew. Sew relatively close to the edge of the folded hem to ensure it is secure and looks professional. Backstitch at the start and end of the seam.
5. Press the Hem: Once sewn, press the hem again with an iron to get a crisp finish.

Step 5: Finishing and Customizing (Optional)

Your skirt is now essentially complete, but here are a few ideas for customizing it:

• Patches: Add patches for a unique, personalized touch.
• Decorative Stitching: Use a contrasting thread color or a decorative stitch to add visual interest to the seams or hem.
• Fraying: Create a distressed look by fraying the hem or other edges. This can be achieved by pulling out some of the threads at the edges.
• Embroidery: Add embroidery to personalize your skirt further.
• Buttons or Rivets: Add unique buttons or rivets for a more industrial or edgy look.
• Belt Loops: If you saved your original belt loops, consider reattaching some of them for function and/or style. You can attach these anywhere on the waist/hip areas as needed.
• Distressing: Use sandpaper or a pumice stone to create a worn or vintage look.
• Dyeing/Bleaching: Experiment with fabric dye or bleach to change the color or add patterns to your skirt.

Tips for Success

• Be Patient: This project may take some time, so be patient with yourself and the process.
• Take Your Time: Don’t rush. Careful cutting, pinning, and sewing will yield the best results.
• Measure Twice, Cut Once: Ensure accurate measurements before cutting. It’s always better to cut less than too much at first.
• Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment: Have fun with the process and don’t be afraid to try new things.
• Use a Sewing Machine: While you can sew this project by hand, a sewing machine will make it much easier and faster.
• Don’t Expect Perfection: Remember that this is a handmade project and small imperfections add to its charm.

Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve now transformed an old pair of jeans into a stylish and unique denim skirt. This project not only helps reduce waste, but it also allows you to express your personal style and create a one-of-a-kind piece of clothing. With a little time, patience, and creativity, you can continue to upcycle and create new wardrobe pieces from your discarded clothing items.

Now that you know how to make a denim skirt, you can experiment with different jean styles, fabric washes, and embellishments to create a variety of skirts to match your individual tastes. So, go ahead, raid your closet, and give those old jeans a new lease on life! Happy sewing!

We would love to see your creations! Please share pictures of your upcycled denim skirts in the comments below!