Monday, May 13, 2013

High Water Jeans to Shorts Keeping the Original Hem

Hey wonderful readers! I hope you all had a great weekend and a Happy (Late) Mother's Day!!

My husband was so sweet. He made breakfast before church and we all ate it picnic style in our bedroom. Then he made dinner for us too. It was great! 

Alright, I'm just busting away at my sewing list so here's another project I got done last week. 
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem

When I was pregnant with Andrew and first went shopping for maternity clothes I got these great jeans. Somewhere along the way though they became high waters. I don't know if I shrunk them or if they've always been this short and I just don't remember, but either way they're too short for comfort anymore. 

So I went about making them into shorts. I found this tutorial from The Pretty Poppy for hemming jeans with the original hem and decided to give it a try.

High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem2

I laid the jeans on the floor (should be inside out) with a pair of shorts the length I like. 

High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem6


With the jeans turned inside out I marked them the length I wanted them to be.
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem11

I measured from that mark to the bottom of the pants. 
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem12

Using that measurement I made marks all the way around the pant leg. 

High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem13


I cut around the pant leg following the lines.
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem20

Then I cut the original hem off about 1/2" above the seam. 
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem17

Then using seam rippers, I removed all the stitching from the hem of the jeans. 
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem18

So if you were doing this to just hem jeans a little, you wouldn't have this problem, but since the bottom of the jeans is wider than where I cut them off at, I had to sew the cuff a little bit smaller to line up.

High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem22

Mark where they line up and sew a line and cut off the extra.
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem23

With the cuff open, fold the top down about 1/2" 

High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem28

Then insert the cuff into the leg of the shorts and fold the cuff over top of the jeans.

High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem29

Sew around the legs with thread that matches the original thread. And you're done. I didn't notice the color difference until I was finished, but it doesn't matter. I'm happy that they aren't just cut off looking shorts so I'll take it! :)
High Water Jeans to shorts with original hem32


35 comments:

  1. Awesome! I love refashions! They look great!

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    1. Thanks, I love how they turned out too and just in time for summer.

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  2. If I ever learn how to sew, I think this is something I might actually be able to do!

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    1. For sure, it's not too difficult. Just a nice straight stitch.

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  3. This is so clever. I love it. Great tutorial too. Thanks for joining Inspire Me. Hugs, Marty

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  4. Nice tutorial! Thanks for sharing. I have a daughter who has lots of jeans that are too long or have holes in them! I think I'll give this a try.

    If found you on the Get your Craft On link party. I'm on there too-#187. I've only been blogging for a week, so I love visits! :) Thanks!

    Gina
    http://ginascraftcorner.blogspot.com/2013/05/how-to-sew-on-cards-tutorial.html

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    1. Thanks Gina. My jeans are usually too long as well. I'll be giving this a try on my jeans too. Thanks for inviting me over, you have a very cute blog!

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  5. These are awesome!


    I would love for you to share your favorite posts and link up at my TGIF Link Party.
    http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/2013/05/tgif-link-party-2.html
    The party opens Thursday night and closes on Wednesday night at midnight.

    Please, invite your friends to party too! The more the merrier!

    Hugs, Cathy

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    1. Thanks Cathy, I linked this up and a couple other of my best projects. Thank you for the invite!

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  6. I love this tutorial - especially since they are now maternity shorts! Great idea!

    I'd love it if you shared it at Living Well Spending Less this week for our Thrifty Thursday party! I think my readers will love it! http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/category/thrifty-thursday/

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    1. Thanks Ruth, I stopped by and linked this and a couple other projects up to your party. Thank you for the invite, have a great weekend!

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  7. This is so clever and totally useful! I cant wait to try it! I would love it if you could share this on my blogs linking party today! http://www.fidlersunderoneroof.com we will open it up around 8:30

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    1. Thanks Susan, I'm glad you liked it. I stopped by and linked up this and a couple other posts. Thanks for the invite!

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  8. Replies
    1. Thanks Jessica, glad you liked it! Thank you for stopping by and leaving me a comment, I appreciate it! Have a great weekend!

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  9. Cool! LOVE this! Stopping by from the Friday Flash Blog Linky Party. :)

    Christine :)
    http://www.myepicureanadventures.com

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    1. Thank you Christine. I appreciate your comment, have a great weekend!

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  10. I love summer because I finally get to wear shorts...my pants are always too short on me! Great tute!
    Dimples & Pig Tales

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    1. Glad you liked it. I'm excited for summer too. Have a great week!

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  11. LOVE this idea! I have shyed away from altering clothes since I accidentally made high waters for my husband but seeing as they can't get any less wearable I might as well try this out, right?! LoL. Stopping by from the Weekend Wrap-Up Party:)
    http://www.mysubconsciousramblings.com

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    1. hehe, it happens. I've had my own share of altering blunders. Thanks for coming by, have a great week!

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  12. Love this idea! Terrific post!

    Thanks so much for sharing at A Peek Into Paradise TGIF Link Party.

    I hope you will come party with us next week and see if you were featured! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/

    Have a great week!

    Hugs! Cathy

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    1. Thanks Cathy, love the party. I'll be back again next week!

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  13. Thanks for this tutorial! My favorite pants are wearing out in the knees so I need to do this asap! Except I haven't sewn since high school!

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    1. I'm sure you'll be just fine. It's just a straight stitch. Let me know if you have any questions!

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  14. Thanks Amy, hope you had a great weekend!

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  15. I can't tell you how timely your tutorial is. I need to take a pair of my son's school pants and turn them into shorts. They have a hole at the knee, but they are still in perfect condition otherwise. I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to make them look good, but with your help I think they'll look great. Well, let's hope anyway. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Awesome, that makes me so happy Kristen! I hope they turn out perfect. It's really not too hard and so worth it to not have to buy new shorts! Thanks for stopping by, have a great day!

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  16. What a lovely clear tutorial for shortening jeans! Great simple refashion!
    I would love if you came and linked this project to my clothes upcycling project page. It has a long term linky, so your project would stay there for more than just the week of a usual linky. We have over 400 projects linked up now – some fantastic ideas.
    Do come and take a look!
    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/p/clothes-upcycling-projects.html

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    1. Thanks Jill. I went and linked this up, thanks for the invite. Awesome link up idea!

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  17. Get idea and tutorial on shortening jeans.........Thank you for sharing with the Clever Chicks Blog Hop this week; I hope you’ll join us again!


    Cheers,
    Kathy Shea Mormino

    The Chicken Chick

    http://www.The-Chicken-Chick.com

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    1. No problem, Kathy. Thanks for hosting each week!!

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  18. Thanks so much for sharing this great post at the Say G'Day Saturday linky party. I've just pinned it!

    Hope you can join in again this weekend.

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

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    Replies
    1. Awesome, thanks for the pin Natasha! And thanks for hosting each week!

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