How to Turn Your Flare Jeans Into Skinny Jeans

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Transforming a pair of boot cut jeans into a pair of skinny jeans is a quick, easy process. It is also a nice way to breathe new life into an old pair of jeans. As long as you have a sewing machine and some basic sewing knowledge, you should be able to complete this project in less than an hour.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Pinning the Jeans

PDF download Download Article
  1. Turning a pair of boot cut or flare jeans into skinny jeans is easy, as long as you have the right materials. You will need: [1]
    • a pair of boot cut or flair jeans
    • pins
    • a sewing machine
    • thread
  2. To figure out how much of the material you will need to take in, you will need to try on your jeans. First, turn them inside out and then put them on normally, with the zipper in front. [2]
    Advertisement
  3. Stand in front of a mirror and figure out where you want to take in your jeans. This will depend on how loosely the jeans fit you and how tight you want them to be. [3]
    • For example, if the jeans are tight around your hips and thighs, but loose around your calves and ankles, then you will need to take them in around the calves and ankles.
  4. Once you have decided where you want to take in your jeans, place pins to secure the material along the edges of the outer seam. [4]
    • If the crotch is baggy, then you might want to pin along the inside edges of your jeans instead. That will make it easier to take in the crotch as well. If the jeans are extremely baggy, then you may need to pin the inner and outer edges of your jeans. [5]
    • Skinny jeans are often made with a lot of stretch so they're easy to take on and off. If your flare jeans don't have stretch, make sure you leave enough space so you can still easily get them over your ankles and feet. [6]
    • When you are happy with the placement of your pins, you can take off the jeans. Remove them carefully so that the pins do not come loose.
    5. Advertisement
Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Sewing and Finishing the Jeans

PDF download Download Article
  1. Sew a straight stitch along the pinned edge of the jeans. Try to sew right along where you placed the pins, but pull out the pins as you go. Do not sew over the pins or you may damage your needle. [7]
    • Remove the pins as you sew.
    • Sew the other leg after you finish the first one.
  2. After you finish the first straight stitch on the outside of each pant leg, sew another straight stitch alongside the first one. Try to make the stitch about ¼” away from the first one. [8]
    • Repeat the same stitch on the other leg.
  3. To make sure that the stitches are firmly in place, you will need to sew a zigzag stitch along the outside of the second straight stitch. Place the zigzag stitch about ¼” away from the second straight stitch. [9]
  4. After you have finished stitching the zigzag stitch, you will need to cut the excess material next to the zigzag stitch. Do not cut any of the zigzag stitches though, just cut off the fabric outside of the zigzag stitches. [10]
    • Try to leave about ¼” to ½” of fabric past the zigzag stitch. [11]
    5. Advertisement
Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Adjusting the Hem

PDF download Download Article
  1. Try on your new skinny jeans and inspect the hem. If the hem is lower than you'd like it to be, then you can easily adjust it. This is really up to you. If you like the look of a longer hem, then you can leave it. However, if you'd rather have the hem up around your ankles, then you will need to adjust it.
    • Try on a pair of shoes that you want to wear with your skinny jeans to determine if the hem looks right.
    • Keep in mind that you can always fold, tuck, or scrunch up the bottoms of your skinny jeans if you decide not to hem the bottoms.
  2. When you have decided where you want the hem to be, fold the bottoms of your jeans up to level where you want the new hem to be. Add a few pins to hold the hem in place while you take the jeans off.
  3. First, measure the distance between the bottom fold and the original hem. Use a measuring tape to find the distance between the bottom of your jeans and the beginning of the original hem. Write down or remember this number.
    • Then, divide the distance between the bottom fold and the start of the original hem in half. For example, if the distance was three inches, then 1 ½ inches is your new number.
    • Measure from the edge of the original hem to the new number. Then, pin the bottom of your jeans at this level.
  4. To make your new hem permanent, stitch along the edges of the original hem. Stitch all the way around the pant legs. When you are done, flip the edges of the pant legs down and try on your jeans.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can you turn bootcut jeans into skinny jeans?
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Mia Danilowicz is a Master Tailor who works onset and on the red carpet in Los Angeles, California. With over a decade of experience, Mia specializes in bridal and gown couturier fittings, garment reconstruction, and custom design. Mia has worked at the Oscars, Grammys, SAG Awards, and Golden Globes. Her clients include a long list of entertainment and fashion industry headliners, major fashion magazines, luxury consumer brands, and popular media. Mia was trained at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and received her AA in Fashion Design and BS in Business Management.
    Mia Danilowicz
    Master Tailor
    Expert Answer
    Yes, just take them in from the point where they start to flare out. Just keep in mind that most skinny jeans have some sort of lycra or spandex blend so you can easily put your ankle and foot into them. Make sure you don't take the bootcut jeans in so much that you can't put them on.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
  • Question
    Should I leave the flat-felled seam alone? In other words, all the allowance is taken in on the inner seam, right?
    T. Chinsen
    Top Answerer
    Your deduction is correct - the instructions are for the inseam. It would require a lot of work to take out and resew the outer seam and still keep it uniform.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 1 Helpful 6
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • Make sure that you use a thread that matches your jeans. [12] For example, if they are dark blue, then go with a dark blue thread, if they are black, go with a black thread.
        Thanks
        Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • If you are using a sewing machine keep your fingers away from the needle while the machine is running. If you don't have any experience in sewing you might want to ask someone you know who does have experience to help you out.
        Thanks
        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 2
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • a sewing machine
      • scissors
      • a pair of flare or boot cut jeans
      • thread that matches your jeans

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Measure Elastic for a Waistband
      How to
      Hem Jeans
      How to
      Alter Pants
      How to
      Lengthen Jeans
      How to
      Stretch the Waistline of Your Pants
      How to
      Insert Elastic Into Pant Legs
      Simple Sewing Tutorial: How to Sew Turn Ups (Cuffs) on Trousers
      How to
      Shrink Cotton Pants
      How to
      Hem Pants With Sewing Machine
      How to
      Fix a Gaping Waistband
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      5. ↑ http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/diy-chic-transforming-old-jeans-into-skinny-jeans/
      6. ↑ Mia Danilowicz. Master Tailor. Expert Interview. 8 January 2021.
      7. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63LrtMHmBJ4
      2. ↑ http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/diy-chic-transforming-old-jeans-into-skinny-jeans/
      3. ↑ http://www.collegefashion.net/fashion-tips/diy-chic-transforming-old-jeans-into-skinny-jeans/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 133,037 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Judith Tipton

        Jan 31, 2020

        "I was struggling with hemming jeans, and the article helped me tremendously. Thanks so much. I was able to make ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement