There are those girls who swoon over every new style of jeans that pop up for the fall, and then there are those girls who flat-out hate wearing pants. Whatever the reasons — maybe you’ve never had luck finding a comfy fit, you’re more of a toss-on-and-go dresser (think: skirts, dresses + jumpsuits) or those 18 years of uniform-wearing really rubbed off after school — jeans just don’t have the same gotta-rock-it lure for you. But a jean skirt, now that sounds more up the right alley.
So when we asked Lisa, our Editorial Director, who swears by that #skirtlife to be a part of our DIY Denim Challenge, she deviated from classic jean DIYs and took things to the next-level by snipping off the legs and whipping up a so-cute (and very on-trend) jean skirt. Well, there was a little more effort to it than that — full disclosure: you’ll need to have nailed sewing 101 to make this transformation happen, but we’d take learning a new skill over letting that pair of pants go to waste in your drawer. Learn how to turn your old jeans into something way more suited for your style below!
How to Turn Jeans into a Skirt
Materials:
– jeans (we recommend high-waisted jeans or mid-rise jeans)
Tools:
– sewing machine
– seam ripper
– fabric scissors
– fabric pins
– chalk
Mark your jeans with chalk right above the knee and cut along that marking with fabric scissors.
Use a seam ripper to remove the stitches on the inside of both legs. Continue removing the stitches until you reach the zipper on the front side of the jeans. Then, flip the jeans over and remove all rear seam stitches until you reach the waistband.
Now it’s time to shape your skirt. The main goal here is to get the front panels to cross and lay evenly and for the bottom edges to meet up. This is the trickiest — and most important — part, so be sure to try different arrangements and pin the bottom together to see what looks best. Once you find the sweet spot, use chalk to draw a straight line from the bottom center of the zipper to the bottom center of the skirt, then trim the excess fabric. Then, fold the edge of the front fabric panel under until you get a straight perpendicular line down the center of your skirt. Pin the fabric in place.
The back will work quite similarly, but you don’t need the bottom edges to meet up. Pin the panels together about three inches from the edge of the jeans, then draw, cut, fold and pin the panels in place until you get a straight rear seam. The extra three inches on the bottom will be the slit in your pencil skirt. Pin the edges back to create a clean hem.
Now, sew your skirt. Be sure to mimic the double parallel stitch that is often seen in denim on both the front and the back by sewing two straight lines about 1/4 inch away from each other.
Finally, hem the bottom edge of the skirt or embrace the torn denim look.
Even if you’ve banned jeans from your wardrobe up until this point, this DIY might actually give you a reason to (temporarily) slip into a pair. For a cute pencil skirt, like the one Lisa made, use jeans with a mid-rise; if you want to try out the mini skirt trend, we recommend going with high-waisted jeans so that your final skirt doesn’t turn out *so* teeny. Whichever way you go, take a cue from Lisa on how to style it, “I can see taking this denim pencil skirt out on the weekend to brunch, to the office during the week with a blouse and even wearing it on a date with a crop top. And heels, definitely heels.”
DIY Production: Kelly Bryden
Photography: Kurt Andre
Do you have a DIY style hack you need to share with us? Tell us ALL about it in the comments below!
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.