Remaking clothes captivates many fashionistas, because this is a great opportunity not only to save money in the pursuit of something new, but also to end up getting a unique item. In summer, for example, you can make shorts out of trousers.
This is a great alternative if you are already tired of trousers or simply ceased to be relevant. And by remaking them, you give them a “second life”. Pants can be anything, but jeans provide endless scope for creativity.
Materials and tools that will be needed for work
Converting trousers into shorts does not require tailoring skills; it is enough to simply do everything carefully according to the instructions, plus the list of materials is minimal. It doesn’t matter, even if you don’t have a sewing machine at home, you can manually hem it just as attractively. At worst, you can settle on a frayed edge (fringe).
So, in order to make pants from shorts you will need:
- actually, the trousers themselves;
- tailor's or safety pins;
- ruler;
- chalk, a piece of soap, a disappearing felt-tip pen or a simple pencil, depending on the color of the trousers;
- scissors;
- sewing machine or needle and skillful hands;
- threads;
- if the idea provides, then elements for decoration (lace, buttons, sequins, beads, scraps of other fabric, ribbons, eyelets, etc.).
Turning pants into shorts
Attention! If the alteration will take place from unworn jeans, then they must first be washed and dried. This way they will settle, and after cutting and subsequent washing they will not “bounce” or become shorter.
The very first thing you need to do is decide on the length of your future shorts. After all, some girls want extremely short ones, others wear Bermuda shorts, and there is also a classic option just above the knee. Also, your idea needs to be correlated with the cut of the original product. If they are loose-fitting, then it is possible that Bermuda shorts will be that win-win option that not only you, but also everyone around you will be delighted with.
For example, if the cut is loose or from the hip, then with the idea of short shorts, they will reveal the legs too much at the top. For short shorts, a semi-tight, straight cut is ideal. Carefully analyze the quality of the fabric and the cut; doing this after trimming will no longer be relevant. It’s not for nothing that they say “measure twice, cut once.”
Before you pick up the scissors, you also need to carefully consider how the cut of your future product will be designed. There are many options here - fringe, lace, hem or lapel (cuff). So, for cuffs, the cut line should be 5–6 cm lower than the intended length. For a hem with a hem, 4–5 cm is enough. But in the case of fringe, you need to think about how long you want to make it. For a short one, 2-3 cm will be enough to mark the cut line, and for a long one, you need to go down 6-7 cm from the desired length of future shorts.
How to properly cut trousers for conversion into shorts
You need to cut on a flat surface, carefully straighten the surface of the trousers. Use chalk or pencil to mark the cut line. To make the line straight, you need to arm yourself with a ruler. If the shorts are planned to be short, then the cut should be in the form of the letter “v”. That is, the length at the level of the crotch seam is slightly greater than at the level of the hips, the line needs to be drawn slightly upward. So they fit beautifully and have an original appearance.
Naturally, the difference should be barely noticeable, otherwise you may end up with shorts that are too short at hip level. Now you can cut along the marked mark.
Attention! To ensure an even cut line, it is important to take into account the quality of the material. If the jeans are tight but loose, cut in one layer. Thin fabrics can be safely cut in two layers, having first secured them together with pins.
Bottom cut design options
How to hem shorts
The easiest way to process the bottom cut. You need to bend the edge of the trouser leg inward by 1-1.5 cm. Iron the fold with a hot iron. Fold the product again to the intended length and iron. After this, sew the stitch either by machine or by hand using blind stitches. The processed cut can be decorated with lace, chains, beads or worn as is.
How to make fringe
To give the shorts a distressed look, after cutting, the shorts need to be washed, possibly more than once. Wash, dry, try on, look at the length of the resulting fringe. Few? Then wash again. When it is the way you originally intended, you need to make a stitch on a machine 3-4 mm from the fringe line. To prevent the fringe from going further, it is better to set the stitch length regulator to 3. After this, your new thing is ready!
How to make a lapel (cuffs)
Simply sewing a lapel to the product will not work, since the cut of the trousers requires a slight expansion. This will be true in the case of bermuda shorts, long shorts, straight fit, or when working with stretchy fabric. In the case of short shorts, you will have to sew on a strip cut along the length of the cut circumference.
A cuff made of bright contrasting fabric looks interesting. The seam allowance also needs to be taken into account - 1 cm. Sew the resulting strip into a ring, finish the edge with a zigzag. After this, baste the ring to the trouser leg, connecting the inside to the inside, and sew it on a typewriter. Press the seams, directing them towards the waistband. Turn the resulting cuff inside out and iron it. All that remains is to manually hem the cuffs with hidden sparse stitches at intervals of 1.5 cm.
How to decorate the bottom of pants with lace
You need to choose which method of processing the cut you will do. You can use option 1 (hemming with a hem) or use a zigzag stitch on a sewing machine. The latter option will be neater and ideal for thin lace. In any case, the cut must be protected from decay. Next you need to baste a strip of lace to the bottom edge. Only after this do the machine stitching.
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