Made By Lex

Denim Skirt Refashion Tutorial

I was on the hunt for a great little denim skirt that I could show you how to make easily. I’ve been loving the denim trends this year.

I found this skirt on Polyvore and really like the effortless, style.

Here’s how to do your own. Get a large men’s denim shirt. I got mine at the thrift store for $1. Mens’ shirts are AWESOME to work with because the prints aren’t too loud and you can get a big one and have lots of material to work with.

So you can measure properly, cut the bottom off of the shirt. They tend to have that curved cut and we want our straight so it doesn’t look like you’re wearing a mean’s shirt.

Next from that bottom, measure the height that you want the skirt.

Cut it that height and make the width about 1.5 times your waist size. Take in to account that there will be a waistband, as well.

Next, sew the button strip down the center so it will stay closed.

If there is a pocket in the way, remove it with a seam ripper. You can also leave it or relocate it depending on what look you’re going for.

Pin your two pieces together on the sides and sew together.

Create a waistband by using the extra material from the sleeves. Fold it over and press.

Pin it to your skirt leaving an opening for the elastic.

Before I add the elastic, I like to do the hem so it remains straight without the pulling of the elastic. Fold under and press.

One of the things I think makes this look nicer is doing a thicker hem. It will look less like  a shirt that way.

Now you can run your elastic through and close the waistband.

An extra detail I did was did a top stitch at the top of them waistband. I wanted the top to have a slight paper bag waist.

Here’s what that stitch will do.

And here’s your $1 denim skirt!

I love it with a lovely blouse for Spring (this top is one of my  new designs, coming soon!)

I absolutely love how you see the pocket spot at the top. It’s my favorite part!

I hope you like this one! It’s a perfect style for Spring!!

How to Distress Denim Jeans

I’ve had some old jeans that I was going to throw away that I thought I’d try distressing. It’s a trend that’s always in style- and EXPENSIVE! I’ve never bought ripped up jeans because they’re always so expensive or they look to calculated in their distressing. So I looked it up and chose a couple different methods I’ll show you so you can tear up your own jeans!

Here’s how:

Think about natural areas you’d se distressing: knees, upper highs, pockets, belt loops, around the hem…

After you’re satisfied with the look, give them a wash. They will look MORE distressed after washing them.

Voila! Here’s what I love about distressed jeans. You can wear them laid back like this look. I have it here on my sister  with a flannel and leather hightops.

I also rolled them up at different heights.

Then you can take it to a totally different level by pairing it with heels, a plain white tank and a black blazer.

It’s still classic and chic, with an edge!

I have another pair that I’m working on. I’d love to hear any other tips you have, too!

Denim Shorts

Isabel’s 5th birthday is next month so my next project is making her a backpack and lunchbox for her first year of real school next year! I’m working on the pattern today. Isabel is obsessed with this fabric and has been for a year now. I don’t know if it would work to do the backpack out of it since it’s sweatshirt material. But I might just make her a sweatshirt out of it. But $28/yard!! I need to calculate whatever measurements VERY accurately!

I’m also thinking about making some patterns for some girls’ dresses or skirts. I’m looking through my designs and seeing which ones I think people would like the most. We’ll see where it leads me!