If the pants are too big, you’ll need to rip up the side seam, cut out the unnecessary fabric, and sew it back together to match your waistline.
If your cut isn’t perfectly straight, that’s fine! As long as it’s a clean line, it doesn’t matter what angle it’s at. In fact, a steeper angle can give your skirt a more refined, less patched-together look. If you want to use the legs for the rest of your skirt (right now it’s too short), don’t throw them away just yet!
Cut 1/2" (1. 25 cm) wide than you need for a seam allowance. Make sure the fabric is long enough to wrap around the entirety of the skirt. If you’re using your old jeans, you may need to rip out the seam that meets the skirt – otherwise that’s a lot of thread going on in one place. And because of the cut of the jean, make sure the fabric lines up (width-wise) front and back.
If your fabric requires it, create a seam on the bottom edge, too. Just don’t make it too short! If your fabric is giving you any guff, iron it flat. It’ll be much easier to work with then.
This is the most tedious part. It’s all downhill from here!
You’ll need to do this for both sides, by the way, unless you want a crazy big (read: totally inappropriate) slit up the back (or front!) of your skirt.
Any material will do, not just denim! If your mom has a rockin’ pair of chinos from the 80s, give it a shot!
Cut up the crotch too, so it lays flat. If you don’t, you’ll have this bulky, bubbly mess of fabric that you do not want to be dealing with later on down your skirt road. Cut to wear the material doesn’t naturally curve anymore.
If you bought pants that are much bigger than you and are working with two different halves, you’ll need to do these steps twice.
Your backstitch should be as close to the edge as possible – you can follow the seam line that’s already there. You can do this either by hand or with a machine, no problem. Again, if you’re working with two different halves, do this for both.
If the skirt is bigger than you, take a skirt that fits you and lay it on top. Then, cut your pants-skirt to that size, leaving 1" on each side for a seam allowance. If you’re not a super good seamstress, leave 2" – it’s easier to make it smaller and not so easy to make it bigger! If the skirt is your size, you’re ready to start sewing up the edge!
Again, if you’re using denim, sew very slowly. You may also need to pull at the fabric a little to keep it taut and straight. Then try it on! You can adjust for length once you see how it fits your body.
You have two main options here: you can either hem it, creating a clean, finished edge, or you can cut and fray it, sticking with the distressed look. If you do choose to hem it, fold under 1/2" (1. 25 cm) of material and sew along the edges. Do the same for your slit, if applicable.
