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

Marigood Suns
by Marigood Suns
7 Materials
$5
30 Minutes
Easy

I can’t be the only one with piles of old clothes waiting to be worn. It’s time to make the most of what’s already in my closet with a little upcycling. These old jeans are a little too big and are about to find a whole new purpose!

Tools and materials:

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

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. 

Mark and cut jeans

Draw two lines by the pants seam

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

Upcycle denim jeans

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. 

Cut to make a new seam

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!

New back seam

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! 

Measure and pin the zipper to 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.

Jeans into skirt

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. 

How to upcycle jeans

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! 

Suggested materials:
  • Jeans
  • Zipper
  • Tape measure
See all materials

The author may collect a small share of sales from the links on this page.

Comments
Join the conversation
 1 comment
  • Bgray Bgray on Jan 28, 2021

    Super Cute! I have a couple pair of jeans that I love and can't part with but due to losing 40#, they are too big...but I can totally upcycle them both into skirts...little longer for my preference...but I love the zipper down the front! Thanks for sharing!

Next