Fall denim to summer denim

Summer shopping can be expensive and grueling if things aren't fitting right or you don't find what you are looking for. Who said we have to buy shorts in the summertime? We don't - we can make our own. So grab a pair of old fall jeans, khakis, cargo-styles, or any pant and get going with this easy DIY!

What you'll need:

A pair of pants

Fabric scissors (you'll need them if you're working with denim)

Needle and thread (no sewing machine necessary)

A fabric pencil

*Optional: A pair of shorts you like (as a guide)

Fabric measuring tape

Steps:

1. Grab a pair of shorts you like, and lay them directly next to your pants. Try and find shorts and pants with a similar waistline style (high waist, low waist, etc). These will serve as a cutting guide.

2. Grab your measuring tape, and start at the base of the shorts you like. Add 2-4 inches allowing for a double cuff.

3. Make a small cut at the length you wish. I went about 3 inches past my shorts because I don't like to feel like my booty is poppin' out everywhere. If you have a fabric pencil, use that to mark directly on your pants.

4. Now fold your pants in half (hot dog style) so that you can cut both pant legs at the same time. Lay your shorts the same way next to them. Work out any folds or creases as you do this so the cut is clean and equal on each leg.

5. Put your folded shorts directly on top of your folded pants. Start at your previous cut mark (or fabric pen mark) and follow the bottom of the shorts as a guide to cut along your jeans in a straight line.

6. With your cut-off jeans ready, slip them on real quick and make sure the length is good (considering that they'll be cuffed twice). Adjust and cut as necessary to the length you desire. Here is the length of mine pre-cuff. If you don't want to cuff your jeans, you can just do a cutoff at a shorter length too! Washing them twice before you wear them will give the bottom a nice distressed and frayed look if that's what you're going for.

7. Roll up the bottom once, so you have a single cuff and can still see the rough end of where you cut the jeans. Mine was probably a 1.5-2" cuff.

8. Cuff your jeans one more time - a double cuff - so that you can't see the rough end of where you cut anymore. It makes them have a nice, finished, look. No one will even know they are homemade!

9. Last step - to keep the cuff in the perfect spot. Instead of making things difficult and requiring a sewing machine to sew across the entire cuff, I found that the perfect way to hold the cuff in place is by using navy blue thread and a needle to sew vertically on the outside (outer thigh) and on the inseam (inner thigh) of the jeans. It holds the cuff in place well enough so that it doesn't unravel through the washer.

Now wear them out into this hot summer sunshine and throw away those old jean scraps (or use them for another creative DIY)! Have you guys made any fashion conversions you'd be willing to share? I'd love to see the before and afters :) Post below or email me privately at cupofthoughtsandabagoftea@gmail.com 

Also join me on the Instagram that I just created to see fun fashion finds, outfits I love, fashion inspirations and links, new-found recipes, and DIYs that are in my radar! https://instagram.com/cupofthoughtsandabagoftea/

Xoxo