{DIY} Flare to Straight Leg Jeans | Thriftanista in the City

1.28.2015

{DIY} Flare to Straight Leg Jeans

Not only did I rediscover the trench coat dress in the other closet, I also found jeans that I absolutely loved when I thrifted them. The fit was great on my waist and hips. No back gap and the waistband is just below my belly button. The legs had a little more flare than I wanted and they were too long for the stumps. I gave them a straight leg and a shorter length with a pretty simple diy.

how to change pant leg on jeans


original jeans hem tutorial

Flare to Straight Leg DIY


The key to getting the legs just right is in the pinning. Get that right and the stitching is very simple. I would recommend experimenting with old jeans or thrift store jeans. Jeans are extremely abundant and inexpensive at the thrift so find a pair (or three) that fit well in the waist, butt and thigh area. 

In order to avoid tons of work and deconstruction, use the tutorial to go from flare to straight leg or straight to skinny.
 
Step 1: Find Seam

Find the seam you will be working on. Use the side seam that DOES NOT have the pretty topstitch. If both are single stitched, go with the inner seam.

I assumed I would be working with the inner leg as with most pant leg redo. That was not the case with these jeans so check for the easier seam to work with first.

change legs on jeans

Step 2: Pin

Find a pair of jeans you can use as a template. Turn your DIY jeans inside out. Lay the template on top. 

Match the crotch seams together and the seam you will not be redoing. For mine, that would be laying the template closer to the topstitched seam. 

Place a pin horizontally where template and the diy meet. This is where you begin to sew the new seam. 

Place pins down the entire length of the leg to match the length of the template.

diy skinny jeans

Step 3: Sew

Starting from horizontal pin, sew down the leg using pins as guide.

Try on when complete to make sure the pant legs are the correct shape and how you want them.

Sew another stitch next to seam or serge to finish.

Iron seam flat and cut off the excess fabric. 

shorten legs on jeans diy

All done unless you'd also like to shorten. My jeans were quite long so I shortened them too. If you're planning to shorten, check out my original jeans hem tutorial as well.

What's your preferred cut on jeans?

diy flare to straight leg jeans
THRIFT vintage chevron topper - green sequin top - white blouse - jeans RETAIL Seychelles pumps

***in other news***

Linking up with my Thrift Sisters over at Two Stylish Kays and  Thrifting Diva.

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7 comments

Whitney 'Nic' James said...

Those jeans look great on you, and so does that cardigan/topper! I am swooning over the print. Great look, my friend!

~Whitney
www.whitneynicjames.com

Jessica Jannenga said...

Those look great. How I wish I could sew!
jess
www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

Denise Murray said...

Thank you so much for the tutorial. I'm going to give my sewing skills a try! Love the final look!

Midnight Cowgirl said...

What a neat idea! The jeans look great!

Unknown said...

Awesome idea! Though I'm no real sewer, I can do a lil somethin' somethin' and a sewing machine is on my list of things to buy when I have the dough. Great to have around for simple DIY projects!
#BLMgirl

Toya | The Limerick Lane said...

Great tutorial and your jeans look great!

Unknown said...

First, that chevron jacket is EVERYTHING!!! Gorgeous look honey with the sequins. Second, definitely stealing this tutorial. Your jeans look GREAT. Thank you for linking up with the Thrift Sisters link up.

Thrifting Diva
www.thriftingdiva.com

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