Make Your Own Adorable Jean Shorts With Patches - Without Sewing!

Janel
by Janel
5 Materials
$10
30 Minutes
Easy

Jeans shorts with patches and embroidery are very on-trend right now. So today, I’m going to show you how to make DIY jean shorts with patches using old jeans and a curtain that I found at the thrift store.


I recommend using a pair of jeans that fit loosely around your thighs for this project. The tight jeans I tried this with previously did not sit so well once they were cut into shorts.

Tools and materials:

  • Loose-fitting jeans
  • Scissors
  • Fabric chalk
  • Embroidered curtain or tablecloth 
  • Fabric glue
Marking the jean shorts

1. Mark

I used chalk to mark a line across the legs of the jeans where I wanted to cut them. I cut them longer than I needed them so I would have enough fabric to be able to fold up the cuffs. 

Cutting the denim

2. Cut

Then I cut across one pant leg on the mark I made. 

How to make jean shorts

Then, I folded the short side over and used it as a template to cut the second side so they would be even and symmetrical. 

Folding the raw edges

3. Fold

Then I folded up the bottom edges of the legs twice to hide the raw edge. You can put a couple of stitches in at the side seams and inseams to hold the cuffs in place if you’d like. 

Cutting out the fabric patches

4. Cut out the patches

I carefully cut the embroidery from a sheer curtain to use as my applique. I recommend using a sheer material with embroidery, like a curtain or tablecloth, but you can also just buy an applique or patch in a sewing notions store or crafting store. 

DIY patch denim shorts

5. Plan your patch design

Then I played around with the patches to figure out exactly where I wanted to apply them to my shorts. 

How to make patch denim shorts

6. Glue

Once I was happy with the placement, I applied fabric glue to the appliques and pressed them firmly into place on the shorts. Then I waited 72 hours for the glue to dry completely, washed the shorts, and I was done!

DIY patch pocket shorts

This is what the full jean shorts with patches look like! I love the patch pocket shorts style, and that the embroidery is already done for me!

DIY patch jean shorts with no sewing

What do you think of these DIY patch jean shorts? If you use this tutorial to add patches or embroidery to your clothes, I would love to see your results!

Suggested materials:
  • Loose-fitting jeans
  • Scissors
  • Fabric chalk
See all materials

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