DIY a Denim Mini Skirt From Old Jeans

Tools and materials:

• Measuring tape
• Paper
• Pen
• Scissors
• Pins
• Sewing machine
• Old jeans

Sketch the skirt

I always like to start off by sketching out my design. I drew the mini skirt and separated it into four since it will be made up of the different legs from old pairs of jeans. I wrote down the measurements for how big each piece making up the skirt would need to be. The width would be an ⅛ of my waist measurement. Further down I marked an ⅛ of my hip measurement and of course from the top of the piece to that point would be my waist to hip measurement. 

I also marked the length of the skirt on my sketch and added seam allowance since I would be adding 8 of these small panels together to make the skirt. 

Draft a pattern

Next, I moved on to drafting the pattern for my skirt. I started by drawing a rectangle and measuring an 1/8 of my waist measurement plus 2 cm (0.8 inches) for seam allowance. I then measured the length of my skirt plus the added seam allowance and drew it in. 

I then drew in my waist to hip measurement plus 1 cm (0.4 inches) for seam allowance. 

After I had drawn in the line, I added 2 cm (0.8 inches) on each side which makes this an ⅛ of my hip measurement plus seam allowance.

Using my ruler, I then connected the ends of the top line to the bottom to finish off my pattern. 

Finally, I could go ahead and cut out my pattern piece. 

Cut the fabric 

Next, I traced my pattern onto my four jeans legs and once I had cut, I was left with 8 denim panels for my new skirt. 

I then made sure to overlock all my pieces before continuing. 

Sew the panels 

Once I had all my denim panels ready, I laid them down, alternating the colors to get the perfect look for my new skirt. I then started to pin the denim panels together.   

Next, I headed to my sewing machine to sew along the pinned lines. 

I then turned the skirt and sewed seams along the right side of the fabric where the panels meet. 

Attach the zipper 

I folded the skirt over, right sides together so that I could attach the invisible zipper. I closed the zipper and pinned it to one side of the skirt. I then pinned the other side of the zipper to the second side of the skirt.

I sewed on the zipper using a zipper foot to make the process easier. 

Once my zipper was attached, I closed up the skirt below it. 

Finish the skirt 

I then moved on to finish off the top of the skirt. I didn’t have enough fabric to make a waistband but I was happy to fold in the top of the skirt because it gave the piece a nice, clean finish. I folded the top inward by 1.5 cm (0.6 inches) and sewed all the way around. 

I moved to the bottom of the skirt and did the same thing, hemming it to get the perfect finish. 

I love this DIY mini skirt! What do you think about this piece? Let me know in the comments!