Find the after photos below.
Alright, let’s begin:
You will need:
1. Jeans (I used large men’s jeans. The rule of thumb is to make sure once opened, it will wrap around you. Large skinny jeans (oxymoron?) may also work here, and give you a pencil-ish effect. )
2. Scissors
3. Seam Ripper (optional)
4. Sewing Machine (Although this can be done by hand if you’re on ‘super pro hand strength’ status)
Steps:
1. Lay jeans flat and open inside seams (Next 3 images)
2. Pin back of pants closed so that the bottom of dress is even. You will likely have a flap at the top near the crotch. Play around with this until you achieve a flat surface.
Here’s is the flap I ended up with at the top.
3. Remove top of jeans. Cut a straight line directly under the back pockets. (As you can see I need a lesson on how to cut in a straight line)
4. Open jeans, and you should have the following:
5. Fold top of dress down and pin. You are going to top stitch this so that the top of dress has a finished look. Although, if you are going for a more daring look, try this effect over at Park & Cube.
Optional: I added a few pleats at the top to shorten the width of the back of the dress. In other words, I wanted to bring the armholes closer together. (Arms holes in step 7)
6. After you sew the top and middle of the dress you should have the following:
Note you could stop here and have a lovely denim maxi skirt…
7. Now for the arm holes. Simply open the seams at both sides of the dress. You can open them as wide as you like for different effects.
8. Fold the side panels closed each arm hole seam and pin the “shoulders” closed. You will then sew these shut. I sewed about 1.5 inches shut.
9. And there you have it.
Did you enjoy this tutorial? Was it clear?
Leave me feedback lovely people. Share it (FB | Tweet) with a friend while you’re at it. Thank you!
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Saw this over at diy fashion, love, love, love, love it!!!
Thank you Erica. I see your site is completely dedicated to diy.
I was hanging over at Pinterest and saw my friend Erica add this lovely tutorial!! Kudos babe!!
Xo Steph
Oh, wow! So many things-made-from-old-jeans have that really patched together look, but this is just amazing. And it looks so great on you, well done!
Haha. I agree. Trust me, this turned out better than I thought it would.
I LOVE THIS! So chic! Can’t wait to try it!
Such a great site. Will definitely try this idea in some other form (living in Vietnam at the moment and clothes are teeny…my husband would be so gutted if I turned his almost irreplaceable jeans into a dress!) plus the vintage wrap top looks like a genius idea.
How do you keep the front closed? Did you use snaps or velcro? I am worried that when I sit down that the front will flap open. Thanks, Minnygirl
Hi Minnygirl
I belted the waist and found that did the trick. I definitely recommend a snap or two if you will wear this without a belt.
In the future I may add a snap to the top portion near the neck.
wow TU ESTAS INCREIBLE… ME ENCANTA TODO LO QUE HACES…. MILLONES DE FELICIDADES, DESDE MÉXICOOO =)
Gracias por mostrarme el amor de México.
I love the gradient on this…nicely done and very ingenious.
Felicitaciones… me encanto el vestido y por supuesto poder sacar la falda vaquera del mismo tutorial!!!
OMG, this is soooo amazing. Thank you for sharing!!
You’re welcome Agy. I also like what you’re doing over at your blog.
You have the most amazing refashion ideas I’ve seen in a long time. I sew a lot and just love your tutorials. You belong in fashion design…seriously! Thank you so much for sharing.
Suzanne! You’ve made my day. Thank you!