In our age of rapidly developing technologies, when everything moves forward by leaps and bounds, fashion also does not stand still. New trends are constantly appearing, and, of course, girls always want to be in trend. However, what to do if you don’t have the money to buy fresh clothes, and there are only old clothes in your closet? The solution is simple: you can create a unique, one-of-a-kind item with your own hands, altering it from something else. There are a lot of useful tips on this matter. And, for example, how to make shorts out of a skirt?
What types of skirts and shorts are there?
Women's clothing becomes more stylish and varied every year. It’s not for nothing that the short skirt has been so popular among the fair sex for several decades now. This item is quite practical to wear, but at the same time it gives lightness and tenderness. Therefore it is suitable for different ages. True, you need to have beautiful legs. Skirt shorts can have many styles, from bright to ordinary. Short and long, tight and light, with decoration, with flounces, with a wrap. In everyday style, denim models with a large belt are often used.
Pattern for thin fabrics
Small folds on the sides make the hips more neat. You can complement the product with a light top or shirt. Almost any shoe will fit under the skirt, but it is advisable to have a small heel. In the summer, a product made from light and volatile fabrics will look beautiful. Open shoes with low heels, a small clutch, and a satchel bag will go perfectly with the style.
From simple to complex
Regardless of the skills and ability to work with sewing accessories, anyone can remake a skirt from jeans. The only question is a sense of taste, perseverance and complexity of the process. In some cases, negligence is acceptable, which does not spoil the appearance, but fills the product with character.
Method number 1 - mixing textures (difficulty 1 of 5)
With the right combination of textures and colors, using different fabrics to create, you get an option that deserves attention. To simplify the process of creating a skirt from jeans with your own hands, many rely on the common boho style, due to its complexity and a touch of antiquity.
However, this is not the easiest option in terms of quality of execution. If you make a mistake in the initial selection of fabric, the result may be disappointing.
An example is provided in the photo:
After selecting the fabric and working out the appearance of the future skirt, you should proceed to sewing steps:
- The bottom of denim pants is cut between the edge of the zipper and 2 cm above the crotch seam. The front pockets should not be ignored, the inside remains untouched. Back pockets are torn off or cut along the contour.
- The required length of the skirt is selected using an additional piece of fabric. It is better not to immediately cut off the excess, but to do this procedure during fitting.
- The edges of the jeans and prepared fabric are sewn together using a basting stitch. First, turn the product inside out.
- After fitting, the seams are sewn using a sewing machine or with a hand stitch.
- At the end, the skirt can be decorated.
Without focusing on a specific style, but simply creating a fashionable item, a denim skirt should be combined with fabric without creating additional gathers. If the original cut of the skirt is straight, the added addition should imitate a continuation of the silhouette. A good combination is denim of different colors.
Another way to decorate the resulting skirt and create a feeling of complete compatibility is to use fabric sewn to the bottom to decorate the upper part, for example, spreaders and, by creating fringe with fraying under the belt, in the pocket area:
Style according to body type
Attention! When choosing a short skirt, you need to be careful. Since an unsuitable model can highlight all the flaws of the figure.
Below we describe how to choose a product based on your body type.
For woman
Products with a high waist - this style is suitable for both full figures and thin builds. It is only important to choose the correct length of the product.
High-waisted models for slender legs
In the summer of 2022, girls preferred both very short shorts and knee-length styles. If girls have large hips and buttocks, then it is advisable to buy a short skirt just above the knee. A short skirt will emphasize your waist and remove excess belly, thereby correcting your figure. It is better to buy shorter options for girls who have round buttocks and thin legs. A good addition to them can be sneakers or sneakers.
If girls do not have buttocks or thighs, then you can use a small life hack. You need to buy shorts that have large and voluminous pockets, this will visually enlarge your buttocks. An elastic band around the waistband is sometimes used to emphasize the waist.
Overweight girls should not take risks and wear miniskirts, as this will emphasize the volume of the hips and legs, and will also hinder movement.
Note! There is a golden rule: for overweight girls, wear only loose clothes, and for thin girls, tight-fitting clothes are recommended.
For women over 40, it is advisable to take skirts just above the knee, as a mini will be completely out of place.
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Skinny leather skirt-shorts
For girl
For girls, this version of the product is perfect for wearing to school. Skirt shorts are not only comfortable to wear, but also have a classic look. In such clothes you can easily run around during breaks at school and not be afraid that your skirt will ride up. For work, it is better to use dense materials and add additional flares. For little girls from 3 to 6 years old, a small wraparound skirt or shorts with small flares will look beautiful.
It is important that the child feels comfortable in his clothes; at such a young age, it is unacceptable for things to restrict movement. You also need to pay attention to the fabric. For children, it is advisable to take natural materials so that they do not cause redness or itching. These include cotton, wool or chintz. Making children's clothing requires more careful preparation - from the correct choice of pattern to materials.
New design
So, it’s clear how to make shorts out of a skirt. But what if you want a change in color? Very simple: you can decorate your outfit!
There are a lot of options here: make torn shorts (first we draw lines for future holes, then make cuts and pull the threads; it is worth remembering that they should not be too large), paint them in an unusual color or colors (there are special acrylic paints for fabric that provide space for imagination; you can either repaint the entire thing or draw some funny print), make inserts (this was already mentioned above), sew on labels or buttons, patch pockets or rhinestones - and so on.
Materials and tools
In order for the item to turn out beautiful and well-sewn, you need to have a certain set of accessories on hand.
What tools are needed to start sewing:
- material (fabric);
- pencil and soap;
- tape measure;
- needles and pins;
- threads to match the fabric;
- thimble (to make sewing safer);
- textile roller;
- buttons or zippers;
- pattern;
- sewing machine and overlocker.
A product made from old denim pants
If there is no ready-made pattern for a short skirt, then the pattern can be copied from ordinary old products. You can also use a sketch of the trousers, but first shorten it to the required size.
Attention! For the basic pattern, you can use shorts. They need to be carefully laid out on thin paper, traced along the lines with chalk, cut out and used as a pattern.
If you plan to sew something for the winter, then dense fabric, such as wool or drape, is perfect. But in this case, it will not be possible to make a thing by hand; you need a machine that can pierce the fabric. For the summer seasons, some sew short styles and add a long train made of fleece or tulle. It looks really gentle and feminine. But it only goes with heels.
Helpful tips for decorating and redesigning altered shorts
To make a quality item, you should often try on it. The finished pattern must be attached to the figure in advance and it is necessary to understand where which part of the future product will be located. The same rule applies to fabric. If the skirt was originally a small size, there may not be enough fabric for shorts. In this case, the product is remade for the younger sister.
Shorts are often customized with various trims and embellishments. Attach embroidery, lace or beads.
Denim items can be decorated with torn edges or holes within a reasonable amount. To do this, make small slits and pull out the threads.
The item is repainted or decorated with a homemade design. An original image or other decor will make the item not only fashionable, but also a unique wardrobe item.
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Ready-made patterns
This type of culotte is distinguished by its uniqueness and comfort; in the process of work it is necessary to include all your imagination. Such products are also called transformers. Ready-made patterns can be found on the Internet.
Styles for full figures
Progress:
- First you need to create a pattern.
- Both parts (carefully rotate the front and back so that their front sides are facing each other).
- Make lines on the sides to the center of the elements.
- Make two parts that are necessary for the smell, then rearrange their location.
- Next you need to make a whole canvas. There are two of them cut out in total.
- Sew the details along the line of the buttocks.
- Then you need to make a belt and ties for the trouser skirt.
Skirt-shorts based on the basic pattern
The easiest way to give shorts a new look is to make their legs fuller, more like a skirt. To do this, you need to make cuts in the sketch, increasing the size of each element. The undercuts can be reduced if desired.
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Children's version with elastic band
Step by step work:
- Draw a straight line on the front and back of the pattern.
- Cut along the marked points, spread by 3 cm.
- The design is transferred to the fabric; do not forget about an allowance of 2 cm.
- All elements are cut and sewn.
- Make a hem and trim the edges of the product.
- Make a wide belt if desired.
The basic pattern can be taken from shorts or old trousers, they are almost the same except the trousers need to be shortened so it will take a little longer.
Decorations for denim shorts
If the original version of the jeans was rather boring or you want to create an original design, you should use one of the options:
- lace. Everything is simple here. It can be borrowed from an old curtain. It can be any color. If desired, it can be sewn directly on top of denim, or replacing cut out fragments with it. Decorating the bottom edge of shorts with a strip of lace is popular. It looks more impressive on plain models;
- torn edges and holes look appropriate on young girls, so this design option is worth trying. To do this, put on your shorts, mark the cut location with a pencil, then cut the fabric along the mark. If necessary, widen the hole and pull out the white threads along the edges to get a voluminous fringe. The rubbed effect can be achieved by making one or several cuts and, on the contrary, leaving white threads between them and removing colored ones. When making such decor, consider how the jeans can stretch on you or after being washed;
- nothing prevents you from partially changing the color of your newly made shorts or making an original print on them. For this master class you will need bleach. To bleach the bottom of the shorts, you need to place them to the desired mark in a solution consisting of half “Whiteness”, half of water. After half an hour you can pull the thing out. If the degree of bleaching is satisfactory, wash the shorts in the washing machine. If you think that the effect is rather weak, leave it for another half an hour to be sure to get a white tint. You can stencil any design on it using special paints for clothes;
- uneven edges of shorts do not have to be torn. Try wavy, zigzag and semi-circular patterns. It will turn out even if you use a pattern made of cardboard or thick paper and outline it with a special marker;
- sequins and rhinestones are not suitable for everyone, but will look great at any youth party. They can cover almost any area of the shorts, from the pockets to the entire back and front. The main thing is to take into account that such clothes require very careful washing;
- Embroidery on denim shorts for a child will look very original. It can be done using satin stitch using simple children's patterns. And for some it is easier to purchase ready-made sets on water-soluble canvas with a pattern oriented towards pockets;
- Another simple way to decorate denim shorts without wasting extra time is to sew on ready-made patches. When combining several copies, it is important that they match each other in style;
- Acrylic paints fit well on denim and allow you to express your creative nature. When doing this type of painting, do not forget to place thick cardboard between the layers of fabric so that the second layer does not become saturated with paint.
Almost all of these options can be used on different types of fabric. It is only important to take into account its density and texture. For example, it would be inappropriate to make a lot of voluminous patches on thin knitwear, and attempts to make torn edges and holes on a smooth, dense material will not be successful.
Now you know several ways to sew shorts with your own hands, and it’s time to try at least one. If the result meets your expectations, you will receive a new original item, and you will probably want to try to make a new model or diversify the decoration. And if the attempt fails, you will gain invaluable experience and next time you will know exactly how to act correctly.
What to wear with
Wrap skirts are the most popular models. They visually reduce the hips and suit all body types. For the top, it is advisable to choose tops tucked in or short T-shirts. Additionally, the image can be decorated with stones or beads.
Asymmetry in casual style
Asymmetrical styles are the best option for a dramatic style. It is advisable to choose the most ordinary top and decorations so that the image does not seem bulky.
Wide short skirts, made of lightweight materials, are almost indistinguishable from a classic skirt. This model is quite feminine and delicate. Complete the style by adding a printed crop top. You can’t overdo it with the choice of jewelry; a regular bracelet or earrings will suffice.
The wrap skirt style is suitable for teenagers and young girls who like a unique look in their wardrobe. Comfortable, stylish and very practical clothes. For athletes, a knitted style in bright colors is suitable to combine with sneakers or sneakers.
Warm autumn option
For a date or a festive reception, it is advisable to choose elegant styles with decorative parts - in the form of buttons or zippers. These pieces look great paired with high heels. If desired, you can use a small clutch. A blouse or a light shirt is suitable as a top; you can choose blouses with frills or a high neck. It is important that the upper part of the clothing does not distract all attention, since the emphasis is on the skirt.
What can you sew for a child?
Old jeans that are very stretched or frayed, but you don’t dare throw them away, can be used to sew children’s clothes - trousers or shorts. To sew a product for a small child from old jeans, use the following instructions:
- As a basis, take jeans that fit the child well;
- Place the product on the jeans, leave a few centimeters for finishing and outline the trousers;
- Make marks on the front half of the jeans, on the waistband and at the bottom. Repeat the same on the other side of the trousers;
- Make marks at the bottom on both sides. Specify hem allowances;
- Cut off the trouser leg, transfer the drawing to the other half of the trousers;
- Cut the pocket and patches from the remaining material, then sew them on. Connect the trousers at the seam. Sew the edges;
- Turn the product inside out, iron it and sew a line ½ cm from the seam so that the seam allowances do not come apart;
- Sew the top and bottom of the item using a machine. Do the fold once. Finish with an overlocker, if possible;
- Fold the bottom and stitch at a distance of 2 cm. Do the same with the top.
How to choose
Among the huge number of models, it is very difficult to choose the right one. A tastefully chosen product can highlight all the advantages of the figure. It is important to pay attention to body features, height and the place where the girl is going.
If girls have long and slender legs, then, of course, you can wear short skirts.
Sports model for girls
If your hips are quite voluminous, then it is better to use knee-length skirts. Some girls, on the contrary, want to hide their legs, so it is advisable for them to use models below the knee and with folds. It happens that the buttocks are large, and the legs are thin and slender, in which case there is no need to take very flared products so that the shape does not appear even larger. Shorts just above the knee and tight fit are perfect.
Option for the lazy
If the word “pattern” makes you feel unsure and discourages you from sewing anything, you can do without it. The instructions are simple.
To do this, you just need to get a sample from your existing wardrobe. You need to fold the shorts along the side seams like a pattern and make marks on the fabric. Greater accuracy can be achieved by taking old shorts apart at the seams. In the first case, you need to remember to leave seam allowances.
Since the likelihood of error is greater than when working with a pattern, it is better to first make the seams by hand and after trying them on, go over them with a machine.
