I have jeans I want to convert to a skirt. Are there simple instructions I can follow?

Sewing Q&A
Marla Stefanelli
December 2002 Sewing Q&A Index
From Our December 2002 Issue


I have jeans I want to convert to a skirt. Are there simple instructions I can follow? Natalie M., e-mail Jean skirts seem to come in and out of fashion on a regular schedule. The method given here uses two pairs of jeans. One is used to fill the “wedge” created when the inner leg seams are opened. A contrasting fabric can be used for the wedge if desired. The jeans for the upper portion of the skirt should fit at the waist and through the hips.

Without cutting the fabric, release the inseam stitching.
Remove the center front stitching beginning 1” below the zipper to the crotch (1).

Remove the center back stitching beginning 6” to 9” below the waistband (where the grainlines begin to straighten) to the crotch (2). Remove the hem stitching at the lower leg edges.

From a second pair of jeans, cut off the legs just below the crotch. Cut away the seams and hems right next to the seamlines-- leaving large wedge-shaped sections. These sections will fill in the wedge-shaped areas on the lower skirt.
Place the first pair of jeans on a flat surface. Overlap the left front crotch over the right front and create a skirt shape by moving the sides until they’re parallel or a slight A-line shape. Measure the hipline and compare the measurement to your hips--adjust the skirt side edges to allow for 2” to 4” of ease through the hips.
Place a piece of cardboard between the skirt front and back to prevent pinning through to the skirt back. Smooth the overlap areas and pin together, keeping the pocket linings free. Note: For less overlap, trim the crotch point (3).

With right sides up, position a cut section from the second pair of jeans beneath the skirt front to fill in the wedge shape. For a skirt the length of the original pants, extend the filler fabric 1 1/4" beyond the skirt lower edge for a hem allowance. Position the filler fabric on-grain and pin in place to the skirt front, turning under the original inseam allowances (4).

Using thread and an adjusted stitch length to match the original stitching, edgestitch the front skirt and wedge insert together. Stitch a second row, duplicating the topstitching on the jeans. Turn the garment wrong side out and trim away the excess wedge fabric to within 5/8" of the seamlines; clean-finish the raw edges.
For the skirt back wedge, sew two sections from the second pair of jeans together, leaving 15” to 18” unsewn to form a slit for walking ease (5). Finish the slit raw edges with serging or a zigzag stitch and press the seam open.

Topstitch the slit edges, duplicating the original stitching.
On the skirt back, overlap the left crotch over the right, trimming the points if desired. Right sides up, insert and pin the prepared wedge to the skirt back, turning under the inseam allowances and extending the inset 1 1/4” beyond the skirt lower edge for a hem allowance. Sew the skirt back and wedge together; trim and finish as for the front.
Even the hemline or cut to the desired length plus 5/8". Clean-finish the raw edge and turn under 5/8". Stitch the hem, duplicating the original topstitching.