How to Make Jeans High-Waisted: Turning Low Rise Into DIY High Rise
In this tutorial, I'll show you how to make jeans high-waisted using a simple and stylish trick. I thrifted the most gorgeous pairs of jeans! The only problem was that they were low rise, which I normally wouldn’t wear.
I let my creative juices flow and managed to use a second pair of jeans to create perfect high-waisted pair with a double waistband!
If you want to learn the ins and outs of this awesome fashion DIY, take a look at the 3 examples here. Follow this simple, step-by-step guide and learn how to transform any pair of low-rise jeans into trendy DIY high-waisted jeans.
Tools and materials:
- Jeans
- Pins
- Scissors
- Hook and eye
- Sewing machine
- Elastic
DIY high-waisted jeans example 1
I thrifted these awesome bell jeans but low rise just isn’t the right style for me.
For this fashion DIY project, I used a second, smaller pair of low rise jeans, which don’t even button up on me.
1. Cut the jeans
I started by cutting off the top of the jeans that were too small for me. I cut to just above the crotch.
2. Measure and mark
I tried on the cut piece and placed it higher on my waist so that it fit perfectly and could be buttoned up.
I then put my cute bell jeans on over the other piece and pinned along the cut piece where it met the waistline.
I took off the jeans and measured and marked where I had pinned earlier.
3. Remove the excess fabric
Once I had taken all the measurements and marked the two pieces, I removed the back pockets from the cut piece and also cut off the excess fabric from the bottom.
I made sure to remove the bottom of the crotch, zipper flap as well.
4. Sew the high waistline
I then hopped on over to my sewing machine and stitched along the raw edges of the fabric so that it wouldn’t fray.
Finally, I could pin the jeans and the cut piece together. I sewed along my pinned markings and couldn’t wait to try this fabulous high-waisted pair on.
5. Add a hook and eye
Lastly, I added a hook to the top piece so that I could close the jeans without the top zipper.
I am so in love with this awesome pair of high-waisted jeans!
DIY high-waisted jeans example 2
For this next high-waisted transformation I started off with a trendy pair of wide-legged, bell-bottom jeans. Once again they were a low-rise pair so I knew I needed to transform them a little.
To help me out, I thrifted this pair of jeans which were just a little too small for me.
1. Cut the jeans
I cut off the jeans, just above the crotch, and removed the back pockets as well.
2. Measure and mark the jeans
I tried on the two pieces so that I could see exactly how I would need to sew them to get the perfect high-waisted fit.
It was time to measure and mark the cut pair so that I could sew the jeans perfectly onto this piece.
3. Cut off the excess fabric
I cut the piece where I had marked it and I also cut out the whole front except for the waistband. This will totally make the new pair incredibly stylish!
4. Sew the jeans
I moved to the sewing machine to sew the two pieces together and create my new and improved pair.
I totally adore this awesome high-waisted look. It is so different and fashion-forward!
DIY high-waisted jeans example 3
1. Cut the jeans
For this third DIY, I combined two pairs of jeans to create a paper-bag style look. I started by cutting the one pair of jeans just above the crotch and removed the back pockets as well.
2. Measure the elastic
I tried the two pairs on and pinned them in place. This time, the cut piece was too big on my waist, but this will create the paper bag effect later.
I measured an elastic band around my waist to get the perfect fit for my new pair.
3. Attach the elastic
I trimmed the excess fabric off the bottom of the cut piece and sewed along the center of the pocket. Once I had stitched, I cut the bottom of the pockets off.
Next, I opened up the piece and pinned the elastic just below the waistband. Once all the pins were in place, I sewed on the elastic.
4. Sew the two pairs together
Before I could sew the two pieces together, I made sure that the buttonhole of the full pair was fully aligned with the top piece.
Finally, I could sew the two pieces together. I couldn’t wait to see the end result and try on this paper bag pair!
I added a hook to the top part of my new jeans since I could no longer use that zipper.
5. Add a tie
Using the legs of the cut pair of jeans, I snipped off the side seam so that I could use the firmer fabric for a paper-bag tie.
I used the cut strip to create the tie for my new paper bag jeans.
How to make jeans high waisted
I am totally obsessed with this paper bag pair!
Which of these refashioned high-waisted jeans do you like best? Let me know in the comments below!
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Love this. Can you please tell me where i can get a sweatshirt like that. Thank you
Thank you for this idea!!! Since low-waist jeans are not for me either, I will definitely try this!!
