Converting your old jeans into new hipsters!

 

Tips:

1. Make sure the zipper on your chosen pants stays up on its own as you lose the button.

 

2. Any kind of pants (or skirts for that matter) can be used, but as jeans are the most casual, mistakes can be turned into funky deconstructive details.

 

Instructions:

1. Take a pair of jeans and

A) cut off the waistband (to create a pant with binding at the top)

 or

B) carefully remove the band using a stitch ripper or small scissors (for a faced, raw edge top). If youd like belt loops on your "new " pair save those and also save the large label at the back to use as an additional belt loop.

 

2. A - throw away the waistband.
B - Cut the waistband in half lengthwise, cut the button and hole sections off the ends of the band, and sew together to form one longer strip. This will form a facing which could be eliminated but you run the risk of the waist stretching out and inspiring a resurgence of "just say no to crack" t-shirts.

 

3. For either method now is a good time to stay stitch around the raw edge. Be sure to catch the top of the pockets to keep them in place in further steps.

 

4. A- take bias tape or ribbon, fold it in half lengthwise and stitch to the jean top enclosing the raw edge. If working with bias tape sew the slightly narrower side to the right side of the pants. Then just fold it over to the back along the fold line and sewing from the outside "stitch in the ditch" to secure. Sew a hook and eye or snap on the under lap at the front to help the fly stay closed.

B - Sew a line of stitching about one quarter of an inch from the raw edge attaching the old waistband, new facing. You can get technical and do double stitching or fold under and topstitch down the ends of the facing first if it pleases! Then from the inside sew along the bottom edge of the facing (which should still be folded).

 

5. If you saved the belt loops topstitch them back on.

These are just the basics. Now you could get fancy and repeat the ribbon / bias tape/ fraying detail on other edges, make a matching shirt with cuffs and collars removed, or just call it a day and run around town showing off the "new pants you bought"!

 

Bias Tape - Bias tape is made from a strip of fabric that has been cut along the bias grain of the fabric and folded in one of two ways. There are two types of bias tape - single fold and double fold. Both come in a variety of widths and colors and are usually purchased pre-folded in packages. Single fold bias tape has a single fold running along each long edge of the tape. Double fold bias tape has the same two folds along the long edges as does single fold, but the double fold tape has an additional fold that is slightly off center, making one side a little wider than the other. For this project use double fold. Believe me its much easier.

 

Stitching in the Ditch - means stitching on the right side, in pressed-open seam, to fasten another piece of fabric underneath. Done with matching thread and regular stitch length, it is invisible on the outside because it disappears into the "ditch" of the seam.

 

Stay-Stitching - a line of stitching, made before construction, to stabilize edges that might be pulled out of shape in handling It is a must on off-grain in loosely-woven fabrics, also on bias edges and knits where the stretch needs controlf you find yourself left with some good-looking leftovers (i.e. album covers), here are a few quickie ideas to put them to good use. Album covers make great place mats, journal covers or wall decorations. All you really need is a cutting tool, like an Exacto, and some creativity.