ARE YOU TIRED OF NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND THE PERFECT FIT SKINNY JEANS? ANNOYED THAT YOU HAVE SOO MANY NICE FLARES BUT THEY'RE SOO 5 YEARS AGO? DON'T WANT TO THROW THEM ALL AWAY?
WELL I HAVE A SOLUTION FOR YOU!
I just made my own skinny jeans out of my sister's old bell bottom jeans, and it's so simple! I've been meaning to do this for a while, but was finally inspired by Instyle Magazine's June issue (and I also just sorted out clothes to sell for a garage sale this Saturday, and didn't want to give up ALL my denim..) All you have to do is cut the bottom seams and re-sew it to be however skinny you want! I have complete instructions below:
HOW TO DIY SKINNY JEANS
1. Choose a pair of old jeans that you wouldn't mind ruining, just in case this goes wrong. In other words, start with a pair that you don't like that much. Next, take out your favorite pair of skinny jeans, as your model to create your new pair.
2. Each pair of jeans are different, but most flares, flare from both sides. If it's your first time altering your jeans, I suggest only cutting from one side- the inside seam, because if you make a mistake it's much less noticeable. Cut from the bottom --> up. Remember that you are only cutting open the thread, not the actual denim. Only cut up to the part where the pants start to flare. No more, no less. (If you cut less, then when you are finished, there will be an awkward bump around the knee.) Do the same on the other leg.
3. Flip the jeans inside out and take a crayon or marker to draw a line of how skinny you want them to be. It's better to draw it more straight-legged than skinny, so you will not end up cutting too much. You can always make it skinnier later.
4. Start cutting half an inch away from the line you drew, because you have to leave space for sewing.You can cut both "layers" at the same time, or individually; it doesn't really matter.
5. Take it to your sewing machine and start sewing along the line you drew. Depending on your sewing machine, try to find the function for a straight line. Most sewing machines come with many options, like mine. There are 6 different ones to choose just for a straight line! Choose the one with the longest dash, like #10 in the picture.
6. It should now look like this:
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| (This is still inside out) |
Flip it out and try it on! If you're happy with the width and how it looks, then put it back in the machine and sew a zigzag along the edges. This will make sure the edges don't fray. If you are NOT happy with how it turned out, and want it skinnier, put it back under the machine and make a another straight line, depending on how much skinnier you want it to be. Oh, and it's okay if your lines aren't perfectly straight! Once you are happy with how skinny they are, cut off your first line and then do the zigzag thing.
It's okay if you have to redo the straight line lots of times! It took me three times to finally get it the way I wanted.
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| Remember to cut off all excess thread. |
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| THIS IS GOOD! |
Also, make sure your thread isn't too loose.
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| THIS IS BAD. |
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When flipped inside in and outside out, the seams should look like this:
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| Just like store- bought jeans (= |
7. Repeat on the other leg. Try to copy your first leg as closely as possible.
8. AND WHA- LA! 'TIS COMPLETE :D
YAAAY! if you do this, please tell me and send me pics! :D
Image via Wikipedia
Image via Wikipedia
3. Flip the jeans inside out and take a crayon or marker to draw a line of how skinny you want them to be. It's better to draw it more straight-legged than skinny, so you will not end up cutting too much. You can always make it skinnier later. 
4. Start cutting half an inch away from the line you drew, because you have to leave space for sewing.You can cut both "layers" at the same time, or individually; it doesn't really matter.
It's okay if you have to redo the straight line lots of times! It took me three times to finally get it the way I wanted.
I like the front. It's no secret that I adore bows. I like the feather design thing. BUT THE BACK IS SO UGLY!! I hate shiny cheap-looking writing. ughhh totally ruins this bag. But since it's only $78 (well, cheap compared to the other bags!), I would just buy a piece of fabric and sew it on the back to cover it. 
I'm pretty sure I still like Burt's Bees products. After all, my second favorite Lip Balm is the Burt's Bees Replenishing Lip Balm with Pomegranate Oil. That one smells so delicious (=
