How to make breeches from old jeans, stylish ways of decoration

Jeans are a versatile and durable item that can serve even in a worn-out state, because you can sew shorts or a skirt from them. Many women are interested in how to make breeches from old jeans themselves, without resorting to the services of a studio. The work is quite simple, even a novice needlewoman can handle it. It is recommended to first decide on the model and watch the master class.

Materials and tools used

Breeches made from old jeans, made with your own hands, will cost much less than ready-made factory models. The work will not take much time. Before you get down to business, you need to prepare the necessary materials and tools:

• worn jeans;
• measuring tape;
• ruler;
• chalk or a sharp piece of soap;
• scissors;
• denim threads;
• needle, pins;
• sewing machine;
• decorative materials, depending on the chosen design of the breeches.

To decide how to make modern and comfortable breeches from trousers, you need to evaluate the features of the original jeans. Too wide trousers will create excessive bagginess. You should also avoid using stretch jeans, as the cut will look unsightly due to the protruding elastic threads. It is better to make comfortable breeches from classic jeans, the fabric of which consists of pure cotton. They should be whole above the knees.

Preliminary preparation of the product for reworking

Before cutting, you need to choose the style. If the length of the product is above or at the knee level, you will get Bermudas. The length below the kneecaps is typical for breeches.

If the jeans are new, it is recommended to first send them to machine wash. After hot water, the fabric will shrink slightly in size, which will allow you to cut it out correctly. Before alteration, the pants should be ironed.

The jeans are put on and the length is estimated taking into account the hemming and hem, this parameter is marked with chalk. Now you need to mark a one-piece cuff on each of the legs. Its width depends on the chosen style, for example, 4 cm. The width of the cuff is measured up and down from the drawn line and two more lines are drawn. The result: there are three chalk lines on each of the legs.

The nuances of determining the length of breeches depending on the method of edge processing:

1. If you plan to simply hem the edges in the classic way, then leave about 2 cm for the hem.
2. To create cuffs or several folds on the breeches, add about 7 cm of fabric to the required length of the legs.
3. When creating fringe, you need to consider that the actual length of the legs will be shorter. Therefore, when cutting out the breeches, you need to step back a couple of centimeters from the main line.

It is best to measure the length using finished breeches.

First, cut off one leg. Fold the legs with the front parts inward, align the edges of the waistband and align the seams, mark with chalk and cut off the second one.

Algorithm of actions depending on the type of jeans

Both men's and women's jeans are remade according to the same scheme. But for men, it is advisable to take loose-fitting jeans. Another nuance is in decoration. Women's breeches can be decorated with rhinestones, beads or lace. For the men's model, a minimum of decoration is preferable. A few cuts and scuffs are enough. You can decorate cropped trousers with patches with inscriptions, metal chains, studs, buttons.

Having decided on the style and length, it is time to proceed directly to the production of cropped pants. The main stages:

1. The denim is cut along the lower marked line using a ruler. It is best to do this on a flat surface. The denim scraps are not thrown away, they will be useful for making cuffs.
2. From the cut off parts, 2 strips of the selected width are cut out, for example, 4.5 cm. 2–2.5 cm are added to them for allowances. The resulting width is equal to 6.5–7 cm. The length of each strip remains equal to the circumference of the trousers.
3. The strip is applied with the front side to the back side, matching the side seams. The stitching is done with a straight stitch and pressed apart.
4. Then the cuff is turned inside out and ironed.
5. Mark the hem line (4.5 cm) and baste.
6. All that remains is to finish the cuffs with a beautiful stitch at a distance of 0.5–1 cm from the edge.

How to make breeches from old tapered jeans is a more complicated question. To do this, you need to rip the side seams to the middle of the thigh on the cropped pants. All that remains is to spread the edges and sew in triangular inserts. Women can make an original design for breeches using other types of fabric, such as lace.

Edge processing and additional decoration

If you don't want to bother with cuffs, you can make folds. Step-by-step process:

1. Having marked the length line of the future breeches, draw another line below it at a distance of 3–5 cm.
2. Excess denim is cut off.
3. The hem is folded over, ironed and stitched with a fixing stitch.
4. The fringe on the cut can be left or hidden by turning the edge again when sewing.

A neat edge is obtained by processing while preserving the factory seam, especially if it has scuffs or embroidery. Algorithm of actions:

1. The finishing line is cut off, leaving an allowance of 1.5 cm.
2. The flap is aligned with the cut edge of the trouser leg with the right sides facing.
3. They baste, making a line as close as possible to the edge of the factory hem, and then sew.
4. The edges of the cuts are processed with an overlock or a zigzag stitch. You can overcast them manually.
5. The hem is turned down. The allowance is ironed, folding upwards.
6. The allowance is stitched with a finishing line that matches the seam or is 1–2 mm apart. You can use invisible threads that blend in with the denim or contrasting ones.

A modern, slightly worn look can be given to denim breeches by adding fringe along the bottom edge. Denim is perfect for this. To do this, cut off the jeans and simply fray the edge using sandpaper or a grater. You can also pull out the cross threads and then wash the breeches in the machine. The bottom edge can be decorated with a drawstring, through which you can pull the tape. Screw rivets will also look beautiful.

Decorative cuts, holes and abrasions on denim products never go out of fashion. They fit harmoniously into both male and female looks. To create holes, you will need a stationery knife or sharp scissors. If you rub the edges of the holes with sandpaper, you will get a fringe. You can process the edges of pockets and the seams of breeches with a fine abrasive to create fashionable abrasions. To give the product a more feminine look, you can sew openwork inserts of guipure of any shade to the holes on the inside.

There are special acrylic paints for fabric that do not wash off after washing. Patterns can be applied to breeches using a stencil or by hand. Colorful, chaotic splashes look beautiful. Whiteness is used to highlight individual areas of the fabric.

Women's breeches made from jeans give scope for imagination in terms of decor. Fashionistas can complement homemade cropped pants with glamorous rhinestones, colored beads, sparkling sequins. Usually, these elements decorate pockets, seams and cuffs of breeches. The main thing is not to overdo it. Patches and ready-made embroidery will also help to quickly transform the new thing.

Additional decor created with inspiration will make homemade breeches from jeans a truly unique wardrobe item. The creative process does not require the skills of a clothing designer. It is enough to show imagination and not overdo it.

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