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How to Crop Jeans

ReFashionista on Good Afternoon America!
Japanese Butterfly Garden Top

I feel almost guilty about admitting this, but sometimes when I’m at Target getting toothpaste, shampoo, or whathaveyou, I wander into the clothing section.  

While wandering the other day, I saw several pairs of cropped jeans and pants that I loved!  

And I coveted them.  

And I allllllmost bought a pair.  

But then I remembered this pair of jeans that I’ve had for years, but never wear anymore:

how to crop jeans before
Just a normal pair of jeans, y’all.  🙂

There’s nothing wrong with these jeans, I just seem to prefer every other pair I own over them.  

This means they’ll be perfect for cropping to a trendier length!

I used a safety pin to mark where I wanted my DIY cropped jeans to fall on my leg.

safety pin marking new jeans leg length
See it?

Then I made a couple of chops, cutting a straight line along where I pinned.

I used the scrap from the first leg to mark the second leg & keep them even.

cut off bottom of jeans leg
Chop!

I didn’t feel like trying to rock the frayed look, so I folded those raw edges under twice and pinned them into place.

pinned bottom hem of jeans leg
Pinned & Prepped!

Then, I ran each leg through my sewing machine, using a basic straight stitch.

sewing bottom of cropped jeans leg
Whirrrrr!!!

After a quick press, I was all done with my new DIY cropped jeans!  🙂

ironing bottom hem of jeans
A most pressing issue!

And just like that, I now have a cute pair of trendy cropped jeans!  AND I saved myself about 30 bucks!  🙂

how to crop jeans after
Leaving on a Jet Plane…
diy cropped jeans after
Such an easy DIY!

But wait a tic…why am I at the airport?  And why is my sewing machine hanging out in the bottom corner of the above pic?

airport departures board
About to take another big CHOMP out of the Big Apple! 🙂

I have some exciting news, friends!  A couple of days ago, I was contacted by Good Afternoon America!!!!  

good afternoon america logo
This suits me fine, as I’m not much of a “morning” person! 😉

A lucky audience member will get a personalized refash by moi!  I wonder who I’ll pick?!  🙂

Wish me luck!!!!

Edit from THE FUTURE: Here’s the clip for Refashionista on Good Afternoon America!

Cheers!

refashionista how to. crop jeans before and after
Yield: 1 Pair of Cropped Jeans

How to Crop Jeans

refashionista how to crop jeans

Learn how to crop a pair of jeans with the Refashionista! Update your old jeans instead of buying a new pair!

Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost Less than $5

Materials

  • 1 Pair of old jeans

Tools

  • Safety Pin
  • Fabric Scissors
  • Thread
  • Straight Pins
  • Clothing Iron

Instructions

    1. Put your jeans on & mark where you want your cropped jeans to fall on your leg with a safety pin. Make sure to allow 1/2" in or so for a seam allowance.
    2. Cut a straight line where you pinned.
    3. Use the scrap from the leg you just cut to measure where to cut the second leg and cut it as well.
    4. Fold the bottom hems under twice and pin them in place.
    5. Sew the pinned hems with your sewing machine using a basic straight stitch.
    6. Press your new jeans' hems.
ReFashionista on Good Afternoon America!
Japanese Butterfly Garden Top

48 thoughts on “How to Crop Jeans”

  1. Jillian, Nice job on GAA! That jacket-to-shirt turned out wonderfully! I love that you were wearing a previous refashion, as well!
    You’ve inspired me, and I’m now sewing up some garments as we speak. I must say, I’m currently very envious of your dress form! Hopefully they turn out decently. I’m not much of a seamstress, yet. That will come! Thanks for the VERY detailed pictures/instructions throughout your blog. They are my pattern for my new clothes! LOVE IT! KEEP UP THE INSPIRATIONAL WORK!!

    Reply
  2. Thanks to whoever it may have been that put it onto Youtube. I was busting to see it here in New Zealand… you did a wonderful job and it really WAS like watching an old friend on the tv as someone else said… as for the jeans – LOVE it… am going to get the scissors out and chop chop a couple of pairs of pants in the same way for summer – if it ever gets here…. Job well done!!! Kate

    Reply
  3. Congrats!!! I love what you did with the jeans! Sounds like the TV show went well…I’m just sad that I’m just now reading this and missed it. Is it online somewhere?

    Reply
  4. I was out running errands yesterday and a little before 1, I thought, The ReFashionista is going to be on here shortly-so I ran over to a Mexican resturant and asked them if they would turn a tv on so I could watch you! I got seated right in front of a tv and had it all to myself! As usual, you did a great job on that lady’s jacket!!!!! Be looking for more great things from you!!!!!

    Reply
  5. Second that comment – I’m in Canada and due to ‘international rights’, I can’t access this video. Would love to see it, so if anyone could throw it up on YouTube, that makes at least two of us Refashionita groupies who would be very happy!

    Reply
  6. Too sad that we don’t get US channels over here in Europe… I’d so love to watch your appearance on the show! YouTube, anyone? 😉

    Reply
  7. Just watched GAA, you were great and I really liked what you did with that gals jacket! I especially loved that you wore one of the refashions from your “366 days”. You’re just darling!

    Reply
  8. Congrats, Jill! I don’t have access to American TV from where I live, but I firmly believe
    that You will rock everyone’s socks off. Have fun!

    Reply
  9. How AWESOME! I just recently found your blog but I think I’ve looked at almost all your posts in just the past couple of days! Your refashions are AWESOME! I’ll be watching out for ya!

    Reply
  10. I’ll be watching Good Afternoon, America!!! tomorrow to catch “THE REFASHIONISTA!!! Hope you’re on the track to the top!!!!! Can barely wait to see you!!!!!

    Reply
  11. Hello Larry! Could he be a new fella? Love the floods! I’m insipired to do the same to a couple of pair of jeans just wasting away in my closet. Good Luck on the show!

    Reply

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