If you have old pants that you don't wear anymore, get ready to enter the world of remedied skirts! All you need is a pair of fabric scissors, needle and thread, some fabric, and a couple of hours to spend making the new addition to your closet.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Horizontal Stitching
Step 1. Get a pair of pants you don't wear anymore
They must be one size larger than what you usually wear. If you don't have the right pair, pop into a thrift shop! Jeans, khakis, chinos, slacks - all types are fine.
If the pants are too loose, you will need to have the side seam, cut the extra fabric, and sew it back together to fit your waist
Step 2. Cut the trouser legs to the height of the crotch
Make sure they are lying flat on the table to prevent the fabric from puckering or piling up.
- If the cut isn't perfectly straight, that's okay! As long as it's a clean line, it doesn't matter at what angle it is tilted. In fact, a sharp angle can give your skirt a more finished and less "remedied" look.
- Don't throw away the legs of the pants you just cut; you could use them if by chance you wanted to lengthen the skirt.
Step 3. Cut a strip of other fabric to complete the length of the skirt
You probably need another 6 '' or so (in width) of fabric, if not more. If you have leftovers from an old project, use them! Or you can use the trouser leg you just cut. Does the thigh or calf give you the width you want?
- Cut 1.5 cm wider than you should, due to the abundance of seams.
- Make sure the fabric is long enough to wrap around the skirt.
- If you are using old jeans, you may need to rip the seams that meet the skirt - or there will be several seams in the same place. And because of the cut of the jeans, make sure the fabric lines up (in width) in front and back.
Step 4. Pin the fabric to the edge of the skirt and sew
Using your 1.5cm bleed, pin your fabric to the edge of the skirt, leaving the extra on the inside, making it invisible. Turn the skirt upside down and start sewing by hand or running it under a sewing machine.
- If your fabric needs it, sew a seam on the bottom edge as well. Just don't make it too short!
- If your fabric is creasing, iron and flatten it. It will be much easier to work with.
Step 5. Add any final decorations for the style
Your skirt is ready! But if you want to make it more "you", add lace, fabric paint or other material to the sides. And there's always dye, glitter, iron-on stickers, transfers and screen printing!
Method 2 of 3: "V" stitching
Step 1. Get a pair of pants, of any size
If they are a size larger than you usually wear, you will need to cut the edge and stitch them back to your size, Any material will work; jeans, slack, khaki - all are fine.
Step 2. Measure the length you want and cut
Remember to leave 2 '' of bleed for the seams or your skirt will be a little shorter than you want it to be. Keep the cut part (ie the legs) - it will be what goes between the "legs" of your skirt, filling the center.
Step 3. Tear off all stitches from the edges of the leg to the crotch
Do this to the full length up to 6mm below the crotch on both sides. You'll need your trusty tailor's awl for this. It will take some time, so put on your pajamas, turn on the TV and get comfortable.
This is the most tedious part. From here on it's all downhill
Step 4. Fold over the edges and pin
All those exposed seams? They must disappear! Fold them (about an inch) and pin them inside. Do it from both sides, all around. You should have a clean, evenly lined "V" on both sides that are also mirrored.
Step 5. Iron
Don't skip this step! It might seem a little pointless, but your material will be much, much easier to manage if it's flat and all the creases are smoothed out. You will also be able to see if your lines are straight and the angles are the way you want them.
Step 6. Take a cut leg of the pant
Flip the skirt upside down and pin the leg (the one you cut) all the way around, covering the "V". Cut it so that it covers the entire opening, pinning it in place so it doesn't move in any way.
You'll have to do this for both sides, however, unless you want a huge (inappropriate) slit along the back (or front!) Of the skirt
Step 7. Turn it right side up and sew along the edges, starting at the bottom
Work up both sides, sewing as close as possible to where the fabrics meet. It can be done by hand, but it will be much easier with a sewing machine.
Step 8. Hem the skirt and press
Since you have the new cut at the bottom of the skirt (it's a real skirt now!), You'll need to make it neat and make it look good. Take 1.5 cm of the edge of the fabric and fold it inwards, creating a hem. Iron and sew (again, as close to the hem as possible), creating a nice clean line.
Step 9. Trim any excess fabric and give it a final stretch
You will likely have excess fabric inside the seams that can be cut off. After doing this, take the iron one last time and do one last iron. Ta-da! It will not be water transformed into wine, but it makes a good impression!
Method 3 of 3: Make a Pencil Skirt
Step 1. Grab a pair of pants
If they're your size, make sure the waist is where you need it - which, for a pencil skirt, is at your natural waistline. If they rest on your hips, you need to put them away in favor of a much wider pair. Loose pants can be transformed into a high-waisted skirt much easier.
Any material will do, not just denim! If your mom has a nice pair of old chinos from the 80s, give it a try
Step 2. Cut up and down the seams
If the pants are larger than you, you will need to cut the inside and outside seams. If they are your size, you will only need to cut the inner ones (along the inside of the legs).
Also cut the crotch to flatten it. If you don't, you'll have this folded, bulging mess of fabric that you don't want to deal with later in making your skirt. Cut to make the material no longer naturally curl
Step 3. Fold in half (at the crotch) and sew straight down the center
That extra material for the horse? The one that bends forward and forms a V? We don't want it. You want two long straight strips of fabric for each "leg". Start at the widest point near the crotch and cut a straight line across both legs - it can even go all the way to the end of the pant.
If you've bought pants that are much larger than your size and are working with two different halves, you'll need to go through these steps twice
Step 4. Pin the legs together and backstitch
Along the straight line you just cut, pin both legs together to form the joined material for your skirt. Pin about 2.5cm from the edges, leaving room for your back stitch. You can trim some of the excess material (lengthwise) right away if you want, or you can just sew it all up and think about the length later. But if you want a split, don't sew the whole back!
- Your back stitch should be as close to the edge as possible - you can follow the seam line that's already there. You can do it by hand or by machine, without any problems.
- Again, if you are working with two different halves, do it for both.
Step 5. Turn the skirt upside down
Or if you're working with two pieces (having each sewn separately), put the front piece over the back piece, with the inside sides out.
- If the skirt is larger than yours, take a skirt that fits and put it on top. Then, cut your pants-skirt to size, leaving 2.5 cm on each side for plenty of seam. If you're not exactly a great seamstress, leave 5 cm - it's easy to tighten, but not so easy to stretch!
- If the skirt is your size, you are ready to start sewing the edges!
Step 6. Pin the sides and sew
Each side must be well pinned (up and down both sides) to make it easier for you to sew and to ensure a straight line. If you are using denim, be sure to use denim thread. Don't have any denim thread? Then use the cotton and pass it twice.
- Plus, if you're using denim, sew very slowly. You may also need to pull the fabric a little to keep it taut and straight.
- Then wear it! You can change the length once you see how it falls on you.
Step 7. Cut it to length and create your border
Once you've put it on, decide where you want it to go on the leg. Pin, take it off, and you're almost done! Cut it to the desired length, make your border, and you're done!
You have two main options here: you can hem, creating a clean, finished edge, or you can cut and slip, keeping on the ripped style. If you choose to hem, fold down 1.5 cm of material and sew along the edge. Do the same for the split if possible
Advice
- A very nice idea is to sew some lace on the edge for an adorable and very feminine effect!
- It is a great gift idea for someone very close! Use your own pants if this person comes in, or buy pants of their size at a thrift shop and customize them!
- Go wild with your favorite things! Sprinkle some glitter, add cute designs with fabric paint, and have fun!
- Be creative! Find beautiful fabrics with different designs and colors!
