In today’s post: Get the perfect pair of cut off jeans shorts in about 15 minutes with one of these three easy methods for turning jeans into shorts. Choose from a cuffed edge, a hemmed edge, or a frayed edge.
Well, I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but here shorts season has officially begun. I actually wear lots of casual skirts in the summer – they’re just so comfy and cool – but I decided this year I needed a supply of denim shorts for things like camping, running around at the park, and general summer laziness. I like wearing longer shorts, which can be hard to find in stores, so when I want new denim shorts I head to the thrift store to buy some old jeans and make my own. That way I can decide exactly how long I want them to be AND how I want the edges to look. Today I’m going to show you three different ways to finish your jeans cutoffs: with a cuffed edge, a hemmed edge, or a frayed edge.
Photo Credit: ID 74157756 © Denys Kovtun | Dreamstime.com
How to make cuffed cut off jeans
The first method gives you the standard rolled up cuff look for your shorts. This method looks best if the outside of your jeans are darker than the inside, because the cuff will be more noticeable.
Photo instructions are below. (Note, I finished the raw edge by serging, but you could also zig zag. Another note: a cuffed hem is easier to do at a spot on the jeans where there is NOT a lot of taper. If the width of the place you cut is much smaller than the width of the place you’re trying to roll it up to, you’ll end up with bunching.)
Handstitching the cuff in place isn’t required, but it ensures your cutoff shorts stays rolled up in the wash, which is really nice. Just stitch up and down the cuff at the inseam and outer seam of each leg.
How to make hemmed cut off jeans shorts
I think this hemmed finish looks really nice on darkwash jeans – they feel just a little bit dressier than the other two options. Photo instructions are below, but one thing to note is that when you are actually sewing the hem, you need to stretch the shorts leg as you sew. Otherwise, if the shorts are at all tight around your leg you’ll pop the stitches of the hem as soon as you put them on. Stretching while you sew adds a little give to the hem so it can stretch around your body.
How to make frayed cut off jeans shorts
So everyone knows how to just cut off their jeans and let them fray, right? Why am I even showing a photo tutorial for this? The answer is that if you simply cut off your jeans they’ll fray forever, leaving you with obnoxious white threads every. single. time you wash them for the rest of your life. Lame. But if you sew around the bottom of the cutoffs, as shown below, you’ll only get new frayed threads for the first couple of time you wash them. Once the fray hits the area you’ve sewn it will stop and you can stop getting annoyed every time you wash them. Photo instructions below. (Note: feel free to using matching thread if you’re so inclined.)
Pretty easy, right?
Want more easy sewing tutorials? Try these:
The perfect gathered skirt for summer
Easy swing dress pattern and tutorial
How to make a girls’ swim coverup
Turn a t-shirt into a girl’s princess nightgown
Easy maxi dress with just one seam
Denise says
On the agenda for this week, so thanks for the tips!
Bethany says
Awesome! I have several pairs of jeans I have been meaning to turn into shorts!
Shirley says
I love the tips!! Luckily mine are maternity and I don’t have to worry about zippers or the back, but I love how easy it is to make shorts. I love the cuffed look!
Kathy P says
Cute Autumn…….did you make your daughter something wonderful with the left over legs?
emily says
so fun! I wish I had some jeans to chop! Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays at Nap-Time Creations. This will be featured this weekend at my Fun Summer Ideas round up… come on over and check it out. Be sure to grab a featured button to proudly display as well! Emily @ Nap-Time Creations
Diesel Jeans says
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Diesel Australia says
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Diesel Australia says
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Gina Guzzo says
If you wanted, you can add a bit of lace to the bottom of these to add a little style. Ihad some cut off shorts for my daughter and bought some lace at Walmart and sewed iron the bottom of the shorts. She loves them and gets tons of compliments!
Kristie says
Love this. I just bought some cuffed ones from the thrift store and love how they are but am way too lazy to figure out how to do it. 🙂 So thanks for the info.
Also, someone asked if you made something awesome with the left over legs for your daughter? We used the left over legs to make little bags that hold water bottles and snacks for a hike. You just need to add a webbing strip or ribbon for the handle, and sew up the cut end, so you end up with a all finished edges.
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This is good to know about turning jeans into shorts.