Upcycling Jeans with my daughter

I have passed my love of upcycling jeans to my oldest daughter, Raegan (she is 14 now, but was 13 when we made these). I thought I would post a couple skirts that we did together.....

This skirt was a lot of fun to make.  I had cut the pant legs off another pair of pants that I just wanted the waistband from and saved them because of how pretty the white embroidery was.  I was unsure of what to do with it as yet.  Then, Raegan decided she wanted a skirt, so she took some blue jeans, chopped off the bottoms(she likes t-length skirts) and started looking for fabric to put in it.

I then stepped in and told her I had something that would work...the bottoms of the other pair!

So, We attatched them...and VOILA...an adorable skirt! People usually ask what store it came from! (One question, Raegan...what's it like to be so skinny?)

On this skirt, Raegan did most of the work herself.  I helped by finding her the cute camo fabric with blue embroidered butterflies in my stash as well as the butterfly sew-on patch. 

She did the leg chopping, seam ripping, fabric cutting, and most of the sewing.  Her sewing machine was getting ready to bite the dust, so, I did help her with the top part and the hems.  (this skirt is a little tight  now, so she's going to give it away to someone else)

I will be posting a basic tutorial on these soon......as well as some fun variations!

Upcyled Skirt / Dress Tutorial

I was given an adorable little "dress" for my daughters.  It, however,  wasn't something I would have let my daughters wear.  I just couldn't see getting rid of such a beautiful item.  I knew it could become something new, useful and even more beautiful!

Here is the pic of the dress "before" transformation:

Pretty, eh?  So, what did I do?  I CUT IT IN HALF!

If you look closely, you'll see that I lifted up the bottom ruffle and cut it where it wouldn't show. The fabric I was working with was a lycra which doesnt fray, but it would still be smart and look better if at this time the under layer that was cut was got a serger run-through. AND....this is what I came up with:

I did shorten the straps as well because it was just too low. Next, it was time to deal with the bottom half, and, once again..I reverted to my love of denim upcycling!

I grabbed a jean mini skirt that a well intentioned person gave my daughter and merged the two! (it's important to note here that if I had had my serger out, this would have been a much sturdier and cleaner merger! It's not too late though....!) Then turn it over and top stitch just a smidge onto the denim edge. AND....:

A cute and flirty skirt!..... here is a pic of them together:

Now, it should be said here, that the outfit was NOT complete for my daughter....but, with a little black t-shirt.....

(pay no attention to the adorable doggie behind the dress!)

THEN....add a cute long sleeve denim shrug....and VOILA!....

An adorable and funky outfit!  Ok, ladies....challenge time...Get out those tiny dresses and CUT EM UP.....and show me what ya get!!!!!!!!!!