https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/making-a-pinafore-dress-out-of-an-old-pair-of-jeans • Posted by Katharine Sophia
So, unless you have an AMAZING sewing machine (which I don't) this is going to involve some hand sewing. Also, for the sake of full disclosure, this is mostly a tutorial on how to construct it, rather than how to sew it perfectly. As mine is not at all perfect, but it IS a pinafore dress and the only fabric I used was a thrifted pair of jeans, so win.
So, unless you have an AMAZING sewing machine (which I don't) this is going to involve some hand sewing. Also, for the sake of full disclosure, this is mostly a tutorial on how to construct it, rather than how to sew it perfectly. As mine is not at all perfect, but it IS a pinafore dress and the only fabric I used was a thrifted pair of jeans, so win.
Cut the jeans to the skirt length desired, plus a little extra for hemming allowance (though I didn't hem mine in the end). I used a skirt which is the ideal length for me as a guide.
Next, unless you've been smart (which I wasn't) and sized up your jeans it might help to remove the zip and button from the waistband of the jeans. I found this added an inch or two but really you should just use jeans that are way too big for you. But unpick the zip if you feel the need to.
Seam rip/snip the leg hole seams so that you have the waistband and essentially two flaps on either side.
Pin them together and stitch together, right sides together and then again as top stitching.
(My mannequin is not as busty as me so I tend to pad her out when constructing - yes it IS a nice bra ;)) So once you've stitched the crotch/leg flaps together you'll have a pencil skirt like so. I think the baggier the jeans the more flared the skirt, but I used straight leg jeans.
Using the cut offs from the jeans construct the bib. It's best to unpick the seams on these to get the largest pieces of fabric possible.
Tuck the front into the waistband of the jean skirt and pin it in place so it covers the bust. Pin down the sides to remind yourself when cutting the width you want it to be too.
Repeat the same for the back, I wanted this one to be narrower as a feature, and after pinafore research (it's a thing) I found this to be the most common design for the back bib.
After cutting the bib pieces down to size you should now sew the bibs to the waistband of the skirt. I made a 'V' shape in the centre back but for the life of me I don't know why. So don't do that. It was at this point that my sewing machine decided to throw a strop, break 5 needles in a row and then cut the power out, so I went onto hand stitching. I think it was due to the thickness of all the denim layers.
Now, the dress needs to go back onto the mannequin with the bibs pinned into place. Take more off cuts from the jean legs and use these to determine the lengths of straps you need for the dress.
Cut these out with an inch or two added to the length at each end and turn RST. Stitch along leaving one edge open on both straps s you can turn them round. *Starbursts are optional*
Turn the straps round so right sides are facing out. There are many ways of doing this, but I find a chopstick works best. It also takes about 45 mins to do this and will kill your hands, so put a good show on whilst you're battling with it.
Press the strap flat with a hot iron.
Take your dungaree clips and loop the straps through them like so.
Stitch in place. Backstitch over it a few times to make it double super safety secure.
Go back to the mannequin and pin the straps to the desired positions. You could go criss cross if you want. There are no rules. Stitch this in place, back and forth stitching again to fully secure it in place.
Mark in place where you want your jeans buttons to go. You could use proper pattern chalk here, or a green biro that's usually used to mark maths books. It's up to you. Make a hole in the fabric where the button should go and hammer them in place. I threw a tantrum and walked away for 2 hours as it wasn't working. But really at the end of the day I discovered you just need to properly bash them in place.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND TA DAAAAA!!!!! You've just made a pinafore dress using only a pair of jeans! Well done you!!! I opted for a raw hem, but it's your call at the end of the day :)