Makeover Your Child's Blue Jeans

Does your child have blue jeans that are too worn, too faded, too short, too long, or they just don't fit right anymore? Why not give them an ultimate makeover? If they are too short, you can always make them into play shorts. Determine the length you want them to be, and mark the spot on the legs with chalk or even an ink pen. Simply cut across the markings and then wash the shorts. After the shorts have been washed, they will have a natural frayed edge. Trim any extra long frays and you have a perfect pair of shorts.

You can also make jeans that are too short into cute Capri's. Measure and cut the jeans just below the knees. To add extra embellishments, sew rick rack or ball trim around the hem. You can also sew a fun cuff. Measure around the leg opening and add seam allowance. Cut two pieces of fabric using this measurement by 4 inches long. Sew the seam allowance together, forming a ring. Fold the 4 inch wide sides of the rings, matching the wrong sides to create 2 inch wide sides on the rings. Iron the rings. Pin the cut edges of the ring to the cut edges of the jeans and sew. Fold the rings down and press.

If the jeans are two loose for your child, place the belt around the waist just below the belt loops and cinch. Fold the top of the waistband down over the belt. This gives a cute look and you can even use a tie or a scarf instead of a belt. If the bottoms of the legs are too wide, fold over the sides of the jeans and then fold up a couple of times to form a cuff.

You can cover up stains and holes or add fun embellishments with appliqués you make yourself. Choose the fabric you would like for your appliqués, and iron fusible webbing to the backs of the fabric. Cut out the fabric appliqués in any shape you would like. Peel the paper backing from the back of the appliqués and position them on your jeans. Iron the appliqués in place. If you would like you could add embroidery stitches around the edges of the appliqués to add another dimension to the appliqués.

Your sewing box is probably full of all sorts of trims that would make wonderful embellishments for a pair of jeans. Sew eyelet trim to pocket edges or the hems of your jeans. Sew buttons, randomly to the jeans or sew them into fun shapes, such as, hearts or flowers. Crocheted doilies also make cute embellishments for little girls jeans. Attach the doilies and add vintage buttons or brooches for a cute retro look.

Make a skirt from two pairs of jeans. Cut one pair of jeans to the length that you would like your skirt. Using a seam ripper open the crotch and the inside legs of the jeans. Lay the jeans flat on a table and measure the triangular opening between the legs of the jeans. Cut out two triangles, adding seam allowance. Pin the triangles into the front side and the back side of your skirt. Sew the triangles in place. Cut a 4 inch fringe around the skirt bottom. Wash and dry the jean skirt to fray the fringe.

If you have decided that the jeans are no longer usable for clothing, save the fabric for numerous craft projects. Jeans are such a versatile fabric, it would be a shame to discard them.