How to Turn Old Jeans Into a Cool Y2K Ruffle Skirt​

Hey guys! Today I’m going to show you how to take an old pair of jeans and turn them into a very cool ruffle skirt. This Y2K-inspired design is back in style again. Let’s upcycle and revive a vintage look.

Tools and materials: 

• Sewing machine
• Pins
• Scissors
• Pinking shears (optional)
• Old jeans

1. Cut off the crotch

The first thing we’re going to do is cut off the crotch area. You’ll be cutting about an inch under the back pockets.

If the cut doesn’t come out straight, fold the fabric in half and cut the bottom as evenly as you can.

2. Cut out the seams

Set the waist aside and get the pant legs to make the rest of the skirt. Cut off the crotch and both hems and the seams that run along the sides of the legs.

Now, take the leg fabric strips and put them on top of each other, two at a time, to create relatively even rectangle strips.

3. Prepare fabric strips for ruffles

Take one set of rectangle strips and sew the ends together to create one big loop of fabric.

Do the same with the second set. If you don’t have a serger, you can sew a zigzag stitch above the straight stitch. You can use pinking shears for extra protection from fraying.

4. Pintuck and sew

If you want to add a bit of edge to the look, you can have the open edges of the fabric facing out. Place the waist inside out and pin the fabric loop right side out.

We’re going to do pin tucks to create the ruffles. Start by lining up the side seams on both sides and pinning them together. Then do pintucks all along the loose fabric.

I like to do it by eyeballing it. Sometimes it takes a couple of tries to get it right, but once you get the first side done, it’s easier to figure out the spacing for the other side. Stitch it together and repeat the process with the second loop.

DIY ruffle skirt​ from jeans

I am so pleased with the results of this ruffled skirt. It’s so rewarding to create something completely fresh and fashionable from something that would have ended up in a landfill.

Leave me a comment to let me know how your Y2K skirt turned out.

Next... Sew a White Lace Top With Bell Sleeves... From a Tablecloth?!​