What You're Actually Cutting and Sewing
To turn jeans into a skirt, you cut off the legs at the length you want, open up the inseam (the seam that runs down the inside of each leg), and sew the two leg pieces together at the sides to form a single tube. The waistband and zipper stay in place. You end up with a straight or slightly A-line skirt that uses the existing denim and keeps the original hardware—no need to buy a new waistband or zipper.
This works best with jeans that have a straight leg or slight taper. Skinny jeans will be too narrow at the hem. Bootcut or flared jeans give you more fabric to work with and a wider skirt opening. The process takes two to four hours depending on your sewing speed and whether you've done it before.
Key Takeaways
- Cut both legs to the same length, measure from the crotch seam down, and add one inch for the hem.
- Open the inseam on each leg by carefully cutting the thread and removing it completely, then press the seams flat with an iron.
- Sew the two opened leg pieces together at the outer seams to form one continuous tube, using a straight stitch and matching thread.
- Hem the bottom edge by folding up one inch, pressing it, and sewing it down with a straight stitch or blind stitch.
- Try the skirt on before hemming to check the length and fit at the waist—you may need to take in the sides if the waist is too loose.
Measure and Mark Before You Cut
Put on the jeans and decide how long you want the skirt to be. Measure from the crotch seam (where the legs meet at the top) straight down to where you want the hem to hit—usually at the knee, mid-thigh, or just above the knee. Write this number down. Add one inch to that measurement for the hem allowance.
Mark both legs at the same distance from the crotch seam using tailor's chalk or a fabric pen. Draw a straight line all the way around each leg at that mark. This is your cutting line. Double-check that both marks are the same distance from the crotch seam so the skirt will hang evenly.
Cut along the line with sharp fabric scissors. Cut through both layers of denim in one pass if you can—it's faster and more even than cutting one layer at a time. You now have two separate leg tubes.
Open the Inseams Completely
The inseam is the seam running down the inside of each leg where the two layers of denim are stitched together. You need to remove this seam entirely so you can open each leg into a flat piece of fabric. Use a seam ripper (a small tool with a curved blade) to cut the thread every half-inch or so along the entire inseam of both legs. Pull gently on the fabric as you go—the thread should come out in one long piece once you've cut enough of it.
After you've removed all the thread, press both legs flat with an iron on a medium setting. The inseam will now lie open like a book. You should have two pieces of denim, each roughly rectangular, with the original outer seam still intact on one long edge of each piece.
Sew the Leg Pieces Together at the Sides
Lay both leg pieces on a flat surface with the opened inseams facing up. You're going to sew the two outer seams (the seams that were on the outside of the original jeans legs) together to form one tube. This is what creates the skirt.
Place the two pieces with their right sides together—the pretty side of the denim facing inward. Line up the outer seams so they sit on top of each other. Pin along the length where you want to sew. You're sewing the two outer edges of the leg pieces to each other, which will be the side seams of your finished skirt.
Sew a straight seam using a sewing machine set to a medium stitch length (about 2.5 on most machines). Use thread that matches the denim color. Sew slowly and keep the edge even. Backstitch at the beginning and end to lock the thread. Once you've sewn both sides, you have a tube of denim with the waistband at the top and an open bottom.
Finish the Bottom Edge With a Hem
Turn the skirt right-side out. Try it on to check the length. If it's the right length, fold up the raw edge at the bottom by one inch and press it flat with an iron. Fold it up another inch and press again—this creates a double-fold hem that won't fray.
Pin the folded hem in place all the way around. Sew it down using a straight stitch about one-quarter inch from the inner fold, or use a blind stitch if you want the stitching to be invisible from the outside. Sew slowly around the curve and backstitch at the start and end. Press the finished hem flat with an iron.
Check the Waist Fit and Take In Sides if Needed
Put the skirt on and check how it fits at the waist. If it's loose, you can take in the side seams. Pinch the extra fabric evenly on both sides—if there's one inch of extra fabric total, take in one-quarter inch on each side seam. Mark the new seam line with tailor's chalk and sew it, then try the skirt on again before cutting away the old seam.
If the skirt fits well at the waist, you're done. If it's tight, you may not have enough fabric to let it out—jeans are thick and don't have much seam allowance. In that case, consider adding elastic to the back waistband or leaving it as is if it's only slightly snug.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most common error is cutting the legs to different lengths. Measure twice from the same point (the crotch seam) on both legs before you cut. Another mistake is not removing the entire inseam—if you leave pieces of thread or don't open it fully, the skirt won't lie flat and the side seams won't sit right.
Don't skip the pressing step. Pressing the opened inseams and the finished hem with an iron makes the skirt look polished and helps the seams stay in place when you wear it. Also, don't rush the hemming—a crooked or uneven hem is visible on a skirt, so take your time and use pins to keep it straight.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a skirt from jeans that have rips or holes?
Yes, as long as the rips are above where you're cutting. If a rip is near the hem line, cut higher up to avoid it. If the rip is in the area you're using for the skirt body, you can patch it from the inside with a piece of matching denim and fusible webbing before you start sewing.
What if the waistband is too tight or too loose?
If it's too loose, take in the side seams as described above. If it's too tight and you can't let out the seams, you can add a small elastic panel to the back waistband—cut a slit in the back waistband, insert elastic, and sew it in place. This gives you about two inches of extra room.
Do I have to use the original zipper?
No. If you want to remove it, carefully cut the thread holding it in place with a seam ripper, then sew the opening closed with a straight stitch. You can also leave the zipper in—it works fine on a skirt and adds a design detail.
How do I keep the hem from fraying after I wash the skirt?
A double-fold hem (folded twice) prevents fraying because the raw edge is tucked inside. If you want extra protection, explore a thin line of fray check (a clear liquid sealant) to the raw edge before folding the hem, or use pinking shears to cut the raw edge before folding.
Can I make a flared skirt instead of a straight one?
Yes, but it requires more steps. Instead of sewing the leg pieces straight together, you'd need to add triangular panels of matching fabric to the side seams to create the flare. This is more advanced and uses extra fabric beyond what the jeans provide.