My absolute favorite part about thrifting is finding those lonely, four-dollar finds that have been overlooked countless times, that is, until you spot them.
The out-of-date knee-length skirt is a classic example. I have found plenty of awkwardly long jean skirts and frumpy cargo skirts and have given them a complete makeover! It is thanks to one simple sewing trick that I have acquired three different knee-length skirts and been able to give them a new life.
What makes this trick so great is that it provides a way to keep the original seam at the bottom. Denim seams are notoriously difficult to replicate, and preserving them can help keep some of the original charm or make the finished skirt look more polished. It also helps avoid that obvious chopped-off look, making the piece seem like it was always designed to be that length.
What to do
The first step is to decide how short you want your skirt to be. Personally, I keep mine a little longer in the back so there is more coverage. Taking into account the length of the hem, fold your skirt up to your desired length and pin it right under the hem.
Then, sew around the hem, staying as close to the original seam as possible. When you are done, cut the excess fabric off the bottom, fold or iron the hem back into place, and admire your work!
A Jean Saver and a Money Saver
This method has saved me a ton of money. I have three of these thrifted and flipped skirts, each bought for five dollars or less. To put this in perspective, a similar jean skirt from a popular fast fashion brand typically costs 30 to 50 dollars, not including shipping!!
This trick works for more than just skirts. If you have jeans that are too long and drag on the ground, you could use this trick to adjust their height. If you have jeans that are stained or ripped beyond repair, you could use this hack to transform them into jorts, shorts, or maybe even a miniskirt! This method is super versatile and once you’ve tried it, you might start eyeing every skirt or pair of jeans as a potential project!
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