You have a pair of jeans that are worn out or no longer fit. You hate throwing away good denim, but they are just taking up valuable space in your closet.

Yes, you can easily make a denim skirt out of old jeans. This is a classic upcycling project where you cut the legs, open the inner seam, and sew it into a skirt.

In my two decades running a denim factory, I’ve seen fabric used in every way imaginable.

Turning old jeans into a new garment is one of the most satisfying projects. A designer like Dean would call this redesigning with purpose.

It takes a piece with history and gives it a new life. The process is much simpler than you think. You just need to understand a few basic steps to get a great result. Let's break down how to create different styles.

How Do You Make a Long Denim Skirt From Jeans?

You love the look of a long denim skirt, but they can be expensive. You have an old pair of jeans and wonder if you could transform them into the skirt you want.

To create a long skirt, use high-waisted or straight-leg jeans to get the most fabric. You will cut off the legs, open the inner seam, and then sew a new side seam.

The success of a long skirt depends on the jeans you start with. You need a pair that fits your waist and hips well, because that part will stay the same.

Straight-leg or bootcut styles are ideal because they provide more fabric to work with at the bottom. Start by cutting the legs off a few inches below the knee.

Next, use a seam ripper¹ to carefully open the inner leg seam on both sides, going all the way up to the crotch. This is the most important step for getting a clean result.

Once the seams are open, you will have two flaps of fabric. Lay the skirt flat, overlap the front flap, pin it, and sew it shut. Do the same for the back. This creates the classic A-line shape².

Finally, hem the bottom edge by folding it up twice and sewing it down for a durable, professional finish.

How Can You Make a Skirt Out of Jeans in Just 5 Minutes?

You need a new outfit right now, but you have no time to sew. You see an old pair of jeans and wish there was a super-fast way to turn them into a skirt.

For a quick no-sew skirt³, take a pair of stretchy skinny jeans⁴ and cut the legs off just below the crotch. This creates an instant mini-skirt that requires no sewing.

This is more of a fashion hack than a real project, but it works in a pinch. The key to this trick is using stretchy jeans.

The elastane in the fabric helps the cut edge hold together better and prevents it from unraveling completely right away.

Jeans made of 100% cotton will fray much more aggressively. Simply lay the jeans flat and use a sharp pair of fabric scissors to cut straight across both legs.

Make the cut just below the zipper and crotch area. That's it. You can wear it immediately. The result is a very short mini-skirt with a raw edge that will get softer and more frayed after you wash it.

This method obviously is not durable and the skirt will not last for a long time, but it is a fun way to get a new look in less than five minutes without a sewing machine.

How Do You Turn Jeans into a Skirt with Lace?

Your homemade denim skirt looks great but feels a little plain. You want to add a feminine or boho touch to it, but you are not sure how to attach decorations.

To add lace, first create your basic denim skirt. Then, before hemming, simply pin a wide strip of lace to the bottom raw edge of the skirt and sew it on.

Adding lace is an easy way to customize your skirt. From my experience in the factory, little details like this are what make a garment special.

First, follow the steps to create a basic skirt of any length. Stop before you do the final hem. Choose your lace carefully.

A sturdy cotton or crochet lace about two or three inches wide works best because it can handle the weight of the denim.

A very delicate lace might tear easily. Cut a piece of lace that is long enough to go all the way around the bottom of the skirt, plus one extra inch.

Pin the lace to the outside of the skirt, aligning the top of the lace with the raw bottom edge of the denim. Sew a straight stitch to attach it. Then, you can either fold the lace down and press it with an iron or leave it as is for a layered look.

How Do You Make a Knee-Length Skirt From Jeans?

You have a favorite pair of jeans with holes in the knees. You hate to throw them out because the rest of the denim is in perfect condition.

A knee-length skirt⁵ is the perfect way to save jeans with damaged knees. Just cut the legs off above the holes, open the inner seam, and sew it closed to create the skirt.

This is one of the most practical upcycling projects. You get to save your favorite jeans and get a new piece of clothing out of it.

Start by putting the jeans on and using chalk to mark your desired length. A good spot is usually about an inch above your knee.

This gives you room for the hem. Take the jeans off and lay them flat. Use a ruler to make sure your chalk line is straight and even on both sides, then cut carefully.

From there, the steps are the same as for a long skirt. Use a seam ripper to open the inner seam up to the crotch.

Lay the new skirt flat, overlap the front and back panels to create a flat front, pin, and sew. For a knee-length skirt, you have options for the hem.

You can create a clean, double-folded hem⁶, or you can leave the edge raw and let it fray for a more casual style.

Jean Fit	Resulting Skirt Shape
Skinny Jeans	Creates a fitted, A-line pencil skirt
Straight-Leg Jeans	Creates a classic, straight A-line skirt
Bootcut Jeans	Creates a slightly flared A-line skirt

Conclusion

Turning old jeans into a new skirt is a simple and rewarding project. With just a pair of scissors and a sewing machine, you can create a custom garment for any style.

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