15 Amazing Ways You Can Easily Alter and Upcycle Jeans
This tutorial is all about upcycling jeans. Got a whole bunch of jeans you don’t wear anymore? Get ready to wear them again because I am going to show you how to upcycle jeans or alter them so that they go back to being your closet favorites.
There’s really no need to get rid of old denim when you can turn it into something fabulous! Watch the tutorial below to learn how to make your forgotten pair of jeans into one of your most worn pieces.
Tools and Materials:
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing machine
- Seam ripper
- Needle and thread
- Jeans
How to make a jean jumpsuit
Add jeans to a chambray shirt to create a denim jumpsuit. I started by cutting off the waistband of my jeans.
Then, I sewed my jeans onto a chambray shirt, leaving out a shirt flap on the one side in the front.
I left one side of the flaps from my shirt out because I love the illusion that this fashion statement outfit is a two-piece.
On the other side, I put in a drawstring, which lets everyone know this is an amazing jumpsuit.
How to take in jeans at the waist
If your jeans don't fit you around the waist, just add elastic.
First, make two incisions in the inner waistband.
Then use a safety pin to pull the elastic through the incisions.
Once the elastic is through, sewed up the incisions and voilà , no more gap at the back of the jeans!
How to make jeans longer
If your jeans feel too short, there are a couple of cool ways to make them longer.
In the first method, take the leg pieces of another pair of jeans and add them to the bottom of your short jeans.
A great tip is to cut the jeans and legs at an angle and then sew them together to get a really cool contrast that looks intentional.
Speaking of contrast, why not turn the bottom pieces inside out to create a gorgeous denim on denim look?
This is now one of my absolute favorite pairs of jeans, and they are so easy to make!
How to make jeans skinny
To make jeans skinny, you can just turn them inside out and take in the seam, but why not make things a bit more interesting?
Start by removing the back pockets and making an exposed seam right down the back of each leg.
Finish the look by sewing the pockets back on.
I threw the jeans in the wash and those awesome frays came naturally.
Another great way to skinny your jeans is by adding two seams up the front. This method works well with a heavier, vintage denim.
I used a seam ripper and pulled the strings to create a really deep fray at the front.
The fray on this pair does take a little extra patience but it’s totally worth it!
How to measure clothes
How to make two-tone jeans
If you have jeans that are too big, take the front of one pair of jeans and the back of another pair and sew them together to create a stunning two-toned pair of jeans.
For a different two-toned look, I took one side of a pair of jeans and added them to the other side of a different pair.
I love these two-toned jeans! It’s such a clever way to upcycle old pairs of jeans into a glamorous new pair.
A great way to upcycle jeans that are too small is to use two small pairs to create a new fabulous one.
Cut the outsides off one pair of jeans.
Take a different pair of jeans and cut the insides, removing the crotch area.
Put the two pairs on inside out and pin them for the perfect fit for sewing.
You can easily make these into a skinny pair of jeans, but I decided to add some extra triangle pieces from a third pair of jeans to give my new pair a bit more flare!
I am obsessed with these two-toned, wide-leg jeans. There is just so much you can do with extra denim lying around.
How to make jeans bigger
If your jeans are feeling a little too tight, why not add a little something from your favorite pair of track pants?
Cut the seam off a pairs of track pants
Next, cut the jeans down the side and sew in the seams from the track pants. This new pair will have some extra room and added comfort!
I love this retro upcycle look!
You could also keep the pockets and the logo for an added bonus.
These classic Adidas stripes made for an iconic upcycle. I love this upcycle because it really gives you the best of both worlds!
If you are feeling extra adventurous, try adding the sides of a flowy skirt to an old pair of jeans.
You’ll be left with all the movement and glam a girl could ever need!
How to make jeans bigger
How to add patches to jeans
Once you’re done with these different denim projects, you’ll most definitely have scraps left over.
I love using these scraps to create different patches, which can then be added to clothes to give them an amazing denim finish.
I love that nothing goes to waste when you’re upcycling jeans. A little denim here and there can always become something awesome.
Use up all your scraps to make something new
This is my ultimate upcycle. I removed the flat fell seams off of twenty pairs of jeans.
I put them all together to create this amazing denim top!
How to alter and upcycle jeans
I love that there are so many different ways to upcycle old jeans! Which is your favorite? Let me know in the comments below!
How to fray jeans
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These styles will never be hanging in Macy's or J C Penney's. You made quite a few cute pairs of jeans, to hang out in and make others envy your creative sewing. Nice ability to use your old jeans, parts are parts!
What a fantastic seamstress and Yes, such a creative person you are!! I'll have to purchase a sewing machine. There's quite a few jeans I loved AND especially that top!! WOW!! Genius!!