What You Need to Know Before You Start

A denim skirt made from old jeans is one of the fastest sewing projects you can finish—most people complete one in an afternoon. You cut off the legs at the length you want, remove the inseam that joins the two legs together, and sew the open edges closed. The waistband, zipper, and most of the structure are already there. You do not need an expensive pattern or advanced skills; you need scissors, a seam ripper, a sewing machine, and thread that matches your denim.

The main decision is length. A skirt cut from jeans will be narrower at the hips than a skirt made from fabric you choose yourself, because jeans are designed to fit legs, not hips. This works well for a pencil skirt or a modest A-line. If you want a full, gathered skirt, jeans are not the right starting material.

Key Takeaways

  • Cut the legs off at your desired skirt length, then use a seam ripper to open the inseam that connects the two legs.
  • Fold the cut edges inward and sew them closed with a straight stitch, or finish them with a zigzag stitch first to prevent fraying.
  • Try on the skirt before you finish the hem to make sure the length is right, because you cannot easily undo denim stitching.
  • A basic denim skirt takes two to four hours from start to finish, depending on how carefully you finish the seams.

Choosing Your Jeans and Measuring the Length

Start with jeans that fit you well in the waist and hips. The fit matters more than the size, because you are keeping the waistband as-is. Try them on and decide where you want the skirt to end—at the knee, mid-thigh, or wherever you prefer. Mark that spot with a fabric pencil or chalk while wearing the jeans, or have someone help you measure from the waistband down.

Add one inch to that measurement for the hem allowance. For example, if you want the finished skirt to hit at your knee, and your knee is 18 inches from the waistband, cut the legs off at 19 inches. This extra inch will fold under and be sewn down as a hem. Write this measurement down so you do not forget it while you are cutting.

Cutting Off the Legs and Opening the Inseam

Lay the jeans flat on a cutting surface. Using a ruler or measuring tape, mark the cutting line all the way around both legs at the measurement you decided on. Use sharp fabric scissors to cut straight across both legs at that line. Cut slowly and keep the line as even as possible—a crooked cut will be visible in the finished skirt.

Now you have a tube of denim with two legs still connected by the inseam. Use a seam ripper—a small tool with a curved blade that costs a few dollars at any fabric store—to cut and remove the stitches that hold the inseam together. Slide the curved blade under a stitch, pull up, and the thread breaks. Work your way up one inseam from the crotch to the waistband, then do the same on the other side. Once both inseams are open, you have two separate pieces of fabric that will become the front and back of your skirt.

Finishing the Cut Edges

The raw edges where you cut off the legs will fray if you do not seal them. You have two options. The faster way is to fold the raw edge inward by half an inch, press it with an iron, and sew it down with a straight stitch close to the fold. This creates a straightforward, clean hem. The more durable way is to run a zigzag stitch along the raw edge first to catch any loose threads, then fold and sew as above.

If your sewing machine has a zigzag setting, set the width to medium and the length to medium, and run a line of zigzag stitches about a quarter inch from the raw edge. This does not take long and makes the hem last longer, especially if you wash the skirt frequently. After zigzagging, fold the edge inward, press, and sew with a straight stitch.

Sewing the Inseams Closed

You now have two pieces of denim with open inseams. To turn them back into a tube, you need to sew those open edges together. Lay one piece flat with the inseam opening facing up. Fold the raw edge inward by half an inch and press it. Do the same with the other piece. Place the two pieces with their folded edges facing each other, and pin them together along the entire length of the opening.

Using a straight stitch and thread that matches your denim, sew along the pinned line, removing pins as you go. Sew slowly and keep the line straight. This seam will be visible on the inside of the skirt, so it does not have to be perfect, but it should be find. Once you reach the waistband, backstitch to lock the thread and cut it.

Hemming the Bottom and Trying It On

Before you hem the bottom, put the skirt on and check the length. Denim is stiff and hard to undo, so this step matters. If the length is right, take it off and lay it flat. Fold the bottom edge inward by one inch, press it with an iron, and pin it all the way around. Sew the hem with a straight stitch, staying close to the fold. Remove the pins and try the skirt on again.

If the hem is not quite right—if it is too long or too short—you can open it up and adjust. But once you have sewn it twice, the stitches leave marks in the fabric. It is worth taking time to get the length right the first time.

Finishing Touches and Care

If you want the skirt to look more polished, you can add a waistband facing or elastic to the inside, but this is optional. Many people wear a denim skirt made from jeans without any extra finishing. The existing waistband and zipper do all the work.

When you wash the skirt, turn it inside out to protect the seams and hem. Denim shrinks slightly in hot water, so use cold water and a gentle cycle. Hang it to dry rather than putting it in the dryer, which will fade it faster and can weaken the seams you just sewed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make a skirt from jeans with a hole or rip in the leg?

Yes, as long as the hole is below where you are cutting. If the hole is near your desired skirt length, you can cut higher to avoid it, or patch the hole before you start. A patch on the inside of the skirt is invisible when you wear it.

What if the waistband is too tight or too loose?

If it is slightly loose, you can take in the side seams by a quarter inch on each side—this removes half an inch from the waist overall. If it is too tight, you can let out the side seams if there is extra fabric, but jeans are usually cut close, so there may not be much room. A skirt made from jeans works best if the original jeans fit you well.

Do I need a serger or special equipment?

No. A basic sewing machine with a straight stitch and a zigzag stitch is all you need. A seam ripper costs a few dollars and makes opening the inseam much faster, but you can also carefully cut the threads with small scissors if you do not have one.

How long does this project take?

Most people finish a denim skirt in two to four hours, depending on how carefully they finish the seams and whether they zigzag the edges. If you rush and skip the zigzag step, you can finish in about two hours.

Can I add pockets to the skirt?

The jeans already have pockets, and they will work in the skirt. If you want to add new pockets, you can sew them onto the inside of the front or back panels, but this is a separate project that takes extra time and fabric.