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DIY Denim Skirt

This DIY Denim Skirt might bring you back to the wild 70s era, when the free-flowing clothes were as grungy as the music. Jeans are expensive, but they last a very long time. As fashions change, so do jean cuts. Fortunately, you can refashion old jeans by cutting and piecing them into a cool homemade skirt. Beginners are welcome here, as this is an easy and fast sewing project. You will be grooving in your new denim skirt by the end of the night.
Project TypeMake a Project
Time to CompleteIn an evening
Sewn byMachine
For more denim, check out 27 Ideas for What to Make with Old Jeans.
Read NextWide Leg Pants Tutorial
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Lynn K
Nov 26, 2018
Who ever thought, once the 70's were over, that we would ever see a denim maxi skirt again! It'll be really WIDE bell bottoms next, lol! Jokes aside though, a really nice denim skirt is an asset to any girls wardrobe and who doesn't have an old pair of jeans just waiting to be transformed?

deliciaambrosino
Feb 24, 2016
The only thing I see on this skirt that I did differently was cutting the crotch points. I also went crazy for a couple years wanting to make my denim skirts different than anyone elses by embroidering freehand or embellishing with black cording or whatever I had on hand-even leather. Sure enough after that I started noticing a lot of other girls doing the same around where I lived but I had the satisfaction of knowing where it all started at least. With today's embroidery sewing machines it would be a cinch to do. However, it does not give the same look as freehand hand embroidery. It is time consuming but more than worth the effort. After I was through wearing them I sold them for a decent amount of money.

teresamarrufo 8541 197
Jan 14, 2015
if done correctly the skirt should not have that awful peak in the front where the crotch was. You simply cut that section away and raise the insert. a little more work but much nicer end result.
teddybeardonna 974 9704
Dec 31, 2014
I also made many of these skirts in the 70's. "penster47" to stop the skirt from sticking out in the crotch area you can cut the V out and cut a straight line, also make sure you open the crotch stitching far enough to make sure the fabric lays flat before stitching. Cutting the V area also makes the jeans easier to sew as this part of the crotch area is thicker material with the seam edge. Hope this helps !

penster47
Feb 22, 2014
Do you not see that peak in the front where the crotch of the pants is sticking out? Awful looking, I hate those skirts where they stick in pieces of patterned fabric, do not like them at all
ellenmcgrath 10281 14
Jan 05, 2014
I made several skirts like this when I was in college in the 1970's. Shows my age!

SandyKay316
Sep 30, 2013
Love the denim skirt from old jeans! Plan to make one very soon.
racingmom1 2512691
Mar 22, 2013
I just finished using these instructions to make my own skirt and I love it! The skirt is fabulous! The jeans I used were both flare leg so the finished skirt is close fit to about my knees and then flares out a bit. Wonderful!

MightyDistractible
Mar 19, 2013
Hi! This is the designer of this pattern, Alex. I just wanted to note that, in fact, this is not hand-sewn but machine-sewn. I can't imagine trying to get a hand needle and thread through multiple layers of denim. LOL Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the pattern. If you make one, post a pic on our blog at http://mightydistractible.blogspot.com/2012/04/1970s-fashion-flashback.html. THANKS!

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