Don't throw those jeans away! Upcycle them into one-of-a-kind "Sparkle" Monogrammed Shorts with Iron-on Rhinestones for pennies! Use my easy to follow step-by-step directions and photos to for your own creation that your "Little Princess" will love!! You could also modify this design for your "Little Prince"! It's "SEW Easy"!
I have a bag of my husband's perfectly good jeans that no longer fit since his weight loss, so I came up with this project for my granddaughter Mia. Mia loves everything that's "Pink and Sparkles"!
Materials:
An old pair of adult jeans
Thread (matching and contrasting)
Scrap fabric for the waistband
3/4" elastic
1 button
Iron-on Rhinestones
Cut it out!
I will only be using the legs for these shorts, but of course I'm saving the top of the jeans for a future project! First, I cut off the legs.
I cut the inner leg seam of both jeans legs, making them flat.
I laid a pair of Mia's shorts (Size 5) on an old pattern and adjusted the pattern to the same size, folding and overlapping. The fabric was cut in one piece since I planned to use the existing side seam of the jeans to complement the design. Later, I plan to draw this "adjusted" pattern on Freezer Wrap or a large sheet of paper for future use!
I also used Mia's shorts as a guide to cut a pattern and 2 pockets from the upper part of the jeans legs. The pockets that I cut are 4-3/8" wide and 4-3/4" from top edge to the middle corner, and 4-1/4" from the top to the side corners before folding and sewing. You can use any size and shape that you like!
Sew, sew...
I pinned, sewed a 5/8" seam to connect the shorts fronts, sewed again to reinforce the seam, and serged the edges.
Tip: Since serging trims and finishes the seam, it eliminates one step, saving precious time!! If you don't have a serger, finish all seams with a zigzag stitch on your sewing machine.
And now for the pockets. I serged the top edges of the pockets, turned them under 3/4", and sewed two rows of stitching about 1/2" and 5/8" from the pocket edge using the contrasting color of thread that had been used on the jeans.
I then steam-pressed the side and bottom edges of the pockets under 1/2". I pinned the pockets evenly to the shorts front and stitched using 2 rows of contrasting thread along the sides and bottom about 1/8" from the edge, leaving the top of the pockets open. I stitched again 1/8" away from the first stitching. I created a fake "fly" by sewing 2 rows of contrasting stitching where a zipper would normally be.
Pockets with contrasting thread |
The next step was to stitch the back seam in the same way as the front seam. With right sides together and matching the center front and back seams, I then sewed the crotch seam twice with a 5/8" seam and serged the edges.
The big mistake...
I had originally planned to fold the upper part of the shorts down to create a casing for the elastic, but this denim felt too thick, and I knew it would be bulky and uncomfortable. I decided to make a casing from a thinner, softer fabric instead. On to the fabric scrap containers! I measured and cut off 1-3/4" from the top of the shorts to allow for this adjustment.
The pink solution...
I cut a pattern for the waistband 3-1/2" wide and the length of the shorts + 1/2". This scrap of soft, brushed pink fabric was the perfect width to cut the waistband. Mia was happy about the pink!
With right sides together, I pinned the ends of the waistband together and marked the center. I sewed from the center to the end on one side and about 1/2" from the end on the other side. This "opening" will allow elastic to later be easily inserted. With right sides together, I then folded the waistband lengthwise. I sewed 3/8" from the folded edge and about 1/4" from the cut side, creating a "casing".
I then pinned and sewed the waistband to the shorts using a 5/16" seam, with the casing opening on top so it will be inside when completed. I pressed the seam toward the shorts and top-stitched in contrasting thread.
I inserted 3/4" elastic was in the casing, adjusted it to fit, and pinned the ends flat with a safety pin. I pulled the pinned elastic out of the casing enough to sew a secure "square" of stitches through both pieces of the elastic.
"Square" of stitching |
Next, I secured the elastic.
Tip: Sewing through the waistband and elastic at the front, back, and sides with matching thread keeps the elastic evenly gathered and also prevents the elastic from rolling.
2 rows of stitching on back waistband |
The sides - 1 row of stitching |
"Boxing the front" |
I serged the edges of the shorts legs, turned them under 3/4", and pressed. I stitched a straight seam in contrasting thread about 5/8" from the leg edges. I then steam-pressed the hem and all seams flat.
Tip: Steam-pressing also lightens the edges of the denim, giving it a "washed" look.
And now for the "Bling"!!
The very affordable "Sparkle Buttons" and Iron-on-Rhinestones were found at Walmart in the Sewing and Crafts Section. This pink "Sparkle" button came in a pack of 3. I used matching thread to hand sew it inside the "box" above the fake fly.
Tip: "Fray Check" was then applied to the thread to make the button more secure. I love this product!
Lots of bling! |
Tedious work, but fun! |
It worked! |
I always say that some of my biggest mistakes turn out to be my best projects, and this one was no exception! I really think the pink waistband looks nicer that the plain denim shorts would have been. I am pleased with these "Sparkle" shorts that cost pennies!
Now, on to the next project...
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from a Pair of Jeans
Mia' loves her "new" shorts with the "Pink Sparkle" button and monogrammed pockets! |
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