How To Make A Jean Skirt Out Of Jeans

This simple tutorial will teach you how to make a skirt out of jeans. Take those old denim jeans and create a pretty new skirt. This project is just right for beginners, and adds new purpose to your worn old jeans.

denim jeans turned into a skirt with a white eyelet trim laying flat on a wood table

When I was growing up, particularly in middle school and high school, I enjoyed learning to sew and practicing my skill. My mom always left her sewing machine set up in my parents' bedroom, which encouraged me to hop on and continue my projects.

My mom loved to sew, and she graciously taught me. Sewing is one of my favorite things now, and I hope to inspire as many people to learn to sew as possible. That's actually why I created thisfree sewing course.

As a child, one of my favorite projects was transforming old jeans into new denim skirts.

You'll find this project is very practical. You can take a pair of old, ripped jeans, or some that still fit in the waist but are getting short, and repurpose them into a skirt.

I remember embroidering fun designs or adding tasteful fabric to the jean skirts to give them more personality and flare.

Since my daughter recently managed to tear a large rip in the knees of her jeans, it's the perfect opportunity for me to revisit my middle school days and show you how to make a skirt out of jeans.

Tips:

To add length, you can add trim or a ruffle.
For a longer all-denim skirt, you can use some of the denim on the part of the pant leg you didn't use, to place where there is a triangle of missing fabric.
Make sure to figure the fit and length before sewing. I like to pin the skirt in place and try it on (or in this case, have my daughter try it on) to test the fit before finalizing the result.
If you don't want to add a trim piece to the bottom of the denim skirt, simply create a hem by folding over the edge 1/4 inch, repeat, press, and sew.
Trim off the bulky, extra fabric near the crotch of the jeans.

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Tools you may need:

Sewing machine

Seam ripper

Pins

Coordinating thread

Trim (optional)

Iron

How To Make A Skirt Out Of Jeans

Lay jeans out flat, decide where you want the skirt to fall on your leg, and add 1/2" seam allowance; cut fabric. If you decide to add lace to the bottom, you do not have to add 1/2 inch.

Using a seam ripper, take out the inseam on both legs and the crotch area (up to just about the zipper). This is definitely the most tedious part, but you can work on ripping the seam while watching a show, going about your day, or hanging with the kids.

using a seam ripper to rip open seams on jeans

Create a hem by folding over all of the edges 1/4 inch where the seams were, and iron flat.

creating a hem in a jeans to make a skirt

Overlap the front pieces and pin in place. Do the same for the back. The size and fit of the jean will determine how much you can overlap. I would suggest pinning in place, then trying it on to see if it fits prior to sewing.

Sew the skirt together down the middle seam on both the front and the back.

sewing the crotch of a jean skirt in a sewing machine

Trim off the extra length.

trimming off extra denim materials from a jean skirt

To add the eyelet trim, place the top of the eyelet trim on the bottom raw edge of the skirt with right sides together. Pin in place.

Sew the eyelet trim on. Join the ends of the eyelet together with a seam.

sewing eyelet trim together with a sewing machine

Flip it down, press, and top stitch all the way around.

top stitching eyelet trim onto a jean skirt

Trim off any extra fabric.

Press.

Find More Sewing Projects

DIY How To Sew A Half Apron
How to Make a Scrunchie Bow
Ruffle Linen Pillow Cover Sewing Pattern
How To Make A Baby Bonnet
How to Sew a Skirt

If you try this project and love it, I would love if you could come back and give it 5 stars!

Materials

Jeans
Trim (optional)
Coordinating thread

Tools

Sewing sheers
Sewing machine
Seam ripper

Instructions

Lay jeans out flat and determine where you want the skirt to fall on your leg. Add 1/2 inch seam allowance, then cut.

Using a seam ripper, take out the inseam on both legs and the crotch area (up to just about the zipper).

Create a hem by folding over all of the edges a 1/4" where the seams were, and iron flat.

Overlap the front pieces and pin in place. Do the same for the back. The size and fit of the jean will determine how much you can overlap.

Sew the skirt together down the middle seam on both the front and the back.

Trim off the extra length.

To add the eyelet trim, place the top of the eyelet trim on the bottom raw edge of the skirt with right sides together. Pin in place.

Sew the eyelet trim on. Join the ends of the eyelet together with a seam.

Flip it down, press, and top stitch all the way around.

Notes

To add length, you can add trim or a ruffle.

For a longer all-denim skirt, you can use some of the denim on the part of the pant leg you didn't use, to place where there is a triangle of missing fabric.

Make sure to figure the fit and length before cutting and sewing.