Out With the Old: Upcycle Jeans for an Awesome Denim Skirt

Tools and materials:

• Jeans (2 sizes bigger than your regular size)
• Separating zipper
• Tape measure
• Pins
• Scissors
• Chalk
• Seam ripper

Measure your desired length 

Using your zipper as a guideline, take a tape measure and mark off your desired length. Then cut the jeans to that length, leaving a ½ inch seam allowance. This means that the bottom of your zipper should be half an inch from the edge of your cut. 

Draw two lines by the pants seam

Using a ruler, draw two lines down the middle of your pants - along the seams.

Cut cut cut 

Cut down the lines you marked and then along the hemming line in the back. Once that’s done, flip the pants right sides together and measure to make sure both sides are equal. 

Make a new seam 

After confirming that both sides are equal, cut again to make a new seam for your skirt. Next, cut to separate the two halves of the skirt completely and realign to make sure they are still equal. If they aren’t, this is your chance to fix it up!

Pin and sew 

Pin both halves together (right sides together) and sew them together using a straight stitch. Remember we are making a back seam right now, so only sew the back side of the skirt! 

Insert the zipper 

Place your zipper on your skirt and mark off the length you want. Remember to mark it on both sides (front and back)! Then place the zipper on the skirt, right sides touching, and pin one side. Next, flip the skirt over and pin the other side of the skirt to the second side of the zipper (again, right sides touching). Once the zipper is securely pinned in place, fold the hem and pin - the goal is to cover the zipper tail for a clean finish.

Sew and finish 

Sew along the pins to finish your skirt, secure the hem and there you have it! Your very own DIY denim skirt. 

I don’t know about you guys, but I am obsessed with this denim skirt. Who knew it could be so simple to turn jeans into a skirt? So come one, it’s time to upcycle old jeans!