How to Make Cute DIY Two-Tone Jeans Inspired by Reformation
In this tutorial, I'm going to show you how to make DIY two-tone jeans. I was inspired by the Reformation Cynthia jeans, which are gorgeous but have a retail price of $220!
The half-and-half white and tan jeans are so pretty and they made me want to make DIY two-tone jeans myself! Follow me along as I show you how to make two-toned jeans, step by step.
Tools and materials:
- Two pairs of thrifted jeans
- Your own pair of well-fitting jeans to use as a template
- Scissors
- Sewing machine with a heavy-duty or denim needle
- Ruler/measuring tape
- Paper
- Marker
- Pattern weights
Tip: Try to get thrifted jeans that have similar fabric weight and content to make the process go easier.
1. Draft the front pattern
Lay your own well-fitting jeans flat and wrong side out on paper. Use weights to hold the paper as flat as possible. Have the jeans folded along the side seam and trace this seam and the hem.
Trace the waist—not the top of the waistband—but the seam that joins the waistband and the top of the jeans. Trace the center front seam.
Move on to trace the inseam, making sure to trace the actual seam and not the folded edge. Once you’ve traced these lines, clean up the pattern with the ruler as needed. Add a ⅝-inch seam allowance.
Label the pattern and cut it out.
2. Draft the back pattern
Lay the inside-out jeans flat on the paper with the back facing you with the folded inseam. Start by tracing the center back and then trace the inseam.
The back is a bit trickier than the front so make sure you follow these directions!
Fold the jeans along the side seam now and adjust the placement of the jeans, making sure it still lines up with the center back seam. Trace the hem.
Retrace the side seams and waist like you did for the front, cleaning up the pattern as needed.
Use the front jean pattern as a guide to make sure the lengths line up. Make adjustments as needed. Add a ⅝-inch seam allowance, label the pattern, and cut it out.
3. Create the back yoke
Measure 3 inches from the waist along the center back seam. Mark.
Then, measure 2 inches from the waist along the side seam. Mark.
Use your ruler to connect these 2 points with a line.
Eyeball a straight seam that is the length of the leg. Measure, mark, and cut.
Add seam allowance to the top area of the jeans just below the yoke and down the center seam.
4. Deconstruct the thrifted jeans
Take the jeans apart with a seam ripper, opening up the side and inseams. For the front, keep the zipper and front pockets intact.
For the back, remove the entire waistband, the yoke in two pieces, and the back pockets.
For the second pair of jeans, use the same technique.
Remove any extra threads.
5. Start sewing the jeans
Match the fabric front piece to the pattern, keeping the original zipper. If your fabric is larger than the pattern, you may need to cut the center front seam.
Once it matches, sew together with a straight stitch.
To mimic the double stitching of a professional jean, sew an additional straight stitch just to the right of the seam.
Make sure to catch the seam allowance that is folded to the right underneath. Use a longer stitch length. If you have a double-needle, use that instead of sewing it twice.
Assemble the fabric back pattern pieces. Start by sewing the main leg.
Then place the yoke right sides together and sew.
Use the double stitching method. Sew on the back pocket.
Sew the other leg to mirror the first leg following the same steps.
Lay the front of the jeans right side up. Lay the corresponding back pieces so their right sides are together. Sew along the side seams.
Topstitch along the side seam on the white part, making sure to catch the seam allowance underneath.
Use white thread on the white section and tan thread on the tan section (or whatever colors you’re using). Press all the seams before topstitching for a smooth, professional finish.
6. Make adjustments
Sew a basting stitch to the center back and just the top section of the inseam so you can try on the jeans to determine the fit. If they fit fine, you’re good to go!
If they are too big, use a safety pin to gather the excess fabric.
Mark the new center back with safety pins. Sew together with a straight stitch. Cut off any excess fabric.
Topstitch with a double stitch to the left of the seam on the back so it lines up perfectly when sewing the inseam together.
7. Finish the sewing
Turn the jeans inside out. Line up the center front with the center back.
Pin to secure and sew.
To attach the waistband, make sure it fits first. If it does, great! If it doesn’t, remove the belt loops and reserve.
To figure out how to get the correct measurement, line up the button at the top and work your way around to the center back seam. Pin the waistband at that point.
Take the waistband with the buttonhole at the jean opening and work your way to the center back seam.
Mark with a pin.
Line up the 2 pins and sew with a straight stitch to create a shorter waistband.
The seam allowance is hidden on the inside.
Line up the waistband seam with the center back seam and pin all the way around, sandwiching the top of the jeans into the waistband.
Doublestitch the waistband as well. Replace the belt loops.
Double fold the hem.
Stitch to secure with coordinating threads.
DIY two-tone jeans
How beautiful are these DIY two-tone jeans? While these half-colored jeans aren’t technically difficult, they are time-consuming with the thread color changes, double stitching, and removal of prior stitching.
Please let me know in the comments if you made these and how long it took you. Be sure to share your photos wearing your new half-and-half colored jeans!
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Two pairs of thrifted jeans
- Your own pair of well-fitting jeans to use as a template
- Scissors
- Sewing machine with a heavy-duty or denim needle
- Ruler/measuring tape
- Paper
- Marker
- Pattern weights
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Not my style but you have great creativity. Good job.
Great looking jeans!!!