Just recently a fellow homeschooling mom told me about sewing denim skirts from jeans. Then another mom gave me a web link to some very good step-by-step instructions for sewing the skirts.So I decided to sew both my little girls a jean skirt. And here is pictures of the completed project, along with the step-by-step instructions to go with it!!!
Now I have two very happy girls proudly showing off their jean skirts!!
Instructions:
Things you will need
~ Jeans
~sewing machine with sturdy needle for thick fabric
~tan denim strength tread
~straight pins
1) Cut off jeans at the desired length and turn them inside out.
2) Using a seam cutter, rip out the inside seams of the legs ( up to the zipper in the front and to the yoke in the back).
3) Starting at the top ( what used to be the crotch area, right under the zipper), pin together the front panels leaving 3/4 - inch for a seam. If the top area seems to bulky, take this small flap area and fold it over the to be sewn flat against the front of the skirt.
4) Using a heavy duty needle ( for thick fabric), sew the flap flat against the skirt; then sew the seam down to the hem area, leaving about 1 1/2 in. for the hem. *
5) Turn the skirt around and repeat the above process, pinning and stitching the seam down to just above the hem area.
6) After the front and back have been stitched, but before hem it, try it on to see if it is to tight. If the skirt needs a little wiggle room, cut a 2 or 3 inch slit up the back, or side of the skirt. Fold the cut the material of the slit inside ans stitch it down to the hem. Stitch across the top of the slit to keep it from fraying.**
7) With the skirt turned inside out, fold up the hem about 1 inch and secure all the way around with straight pins. Stitch the hem, directly under the pins; then remove the pins after hem is finished. ***
Tips
~ personalize your new denim skirt with studs , embroidered designs, rhinestones,or other craft decos. If you prefer the hem to gradually fray , then omit stitching the hem; just be sure it has been cut evenly around. ( for theses skirts I did not add any thing for decore, these jeans were already decorated like this)
* In step 5 I did not sew back the flap as instructed, but simply cut that all off (leaving about a 1/2 inch from the seam), after sewing up each seam. It seemed to be just fine, at least on the girls skirts.
** In step 6 I did not cut a slit in the girls skirts for they seemed to be just right. I can see though in a longer skirt that a slit may be needed to be roomy enough.
*** In step 7 I did not pin the hem but just simply tucked the material under while I was sewing the hem. Less hassle that way. It worked fine for me, but I was not to concerned with having an absolutely even hem. But as you can see in the pictures it does looks alright. I made a very narrow hem.
Well enjoy sewing!!
My next project will be to sew me one. That may be a greater challenge than doing little girl skirts! But I look forward to seeing how it turns out.
Wishing you a most wonderful day!!
In Him, Mae
