Learn How to Transform Jeans Into a Cute Halter Top

Oaishe
by Oaishe
5 Materials
$5
2 Hours
Medium

I absolutely love denim! My brother gave me an old pair of jeans and I couldn’t wait to use the fabric to get started on an amazing upcycle. I decided to refashion the pair into the most gorgeous denim halter top. This piece was so simple to make and can be styled in so many different ways. If you are looking for your next upcycle project, the search is over! Follow my step-by-step tutorial and start sewing this stunner of a piece!


Tools and materials:

  • Old pair of jeans
  • Scissors
  • Pins
  • Sewing machine
  • Velvet trim
How to upcycle jeans
Make a muslin


Before I started working with the actual fabric, I decided to use muslin to get my pattern pieces perfect. This way I didn’t waste any of the denim fabric I would need for the top. 

Cut your fabric
Cut the fabric pieces


Once I had all the pattern pieces I would need, I pinned them to the jeans and started cutting out the fabric. I made smaller pattern pieces than I usually would because I had to make sure they would all fit on the pants. Cutting out all the small pieces is definitely the longest part of making this amazing top but it’s totally worth it! 

Upcycle old jeans
Serge the edges


I then surged the sides of all of my pieces except for the bottoms. 

Sew the pieces
Sew the pieces together


Once my pieces had been serged, I started sewing them together. I also did some topstitching because I love the look of it on denim.

Add ties
Pin on straps and ties


I finished sewing together the pieces and I couldn’t believe how amazing the halter top was looking. I found a long piece of velvet trim which I used to make the straps and ties for my new top. I pinned the velvet onto my top to make sure I would have it in the right positions.

Upcycling jeans
Hem the neckline and bottom


Before I moved on to sewing the straps, I decided to hem the neckline and bottom of my gorgeous top so that it would have the perfect finish.

Sew on the ties
Sew on the ties



I then sewed on my velvet trim using the pins as a guideline. 

Add embroidery
Add detail



Lastly, I decided to add stunning detail to my halter top by embroidering a tree on the front. It was my first time doing colonial knots but I got the hang of it. The best part about details is that you can get creative and add your own styles and designs!

Add beading


I also decided to add in some black beading at the front of the top. I just love how it complements the velvet straps! 

Upcycle denim jeans


This denim halter top is everything! What details would you add to this piece? Let me know in the comments below! 

Suggested materials:
  • Jeans
  • Scissors
  • Sewing machine
See all materials

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