the sudden urge to alter jeans has hit

qfbrenda

I've been wanting more pairs of straight/skinny jeans for winter since they are so much easier to deal with in our perpetual wet weather. It suddenly occurred to me that some of my boot cuts could become straights! I can't believe I hadn't thought of it already. I plan to alter my white jeans, black jeans, and one of my dark blue pairs.

It comes back to shopping for my season. My predominant season is wet fall, and yet I had ~8 pairs of bootcuts and 3 pairs of skinnies. That has to change. And for free!

Any major alterations happening in your house soon?

13 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Anonymous

I just completed the successful alteration of my Gap Sexy Boots to straight legs. Love them, and they still work with my boots. I thrifted them over the summer so I haven't debuted them yet.

Straights should work really well for your wet fall, as long as they don't drag with your flats. I think mine will have to be confined to wear with boots or my chunky loafers.

13 years ago

Carole

Veteran

I have wondered about doing this myself! I hope you'll share before and afters of your project. A great way to save some of the orphans in our closet.

13 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

That's great news, Brenda! And I think you will be glad you did this.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

That is so funny. Just today i was realizing I have a couple of pairs of Paige Hidden Hills bootcuts that are not getting worn as much as my straights and skinnies. One has been hemmed for low heels and they're just a smidge short, so I was thinking of having them altered to be straights instead of bootcut.

13 years ago

celia

Veteran

If you can do it yourself this is a great alteration( don't want to think what my drycleaner would make me pay for something like that).
Since the beginning of Fall I have reached for my bootcuts once, I live in skinnies and straight legs because they are easier to wear with flats, boots and they don't get hems wet.
I am impressed with your number of jeans, though, my count is much lower.

13 years ago

pastrygirl

(website)

Veteran

Yup, I just turned straights into skinnies last week and love how they came out! I finally have a pair of skinnies long enough to scrunch at the ankle. I'm so glad I too the plunge!

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I did this several years ago, with pretty good success, and I am a pretty bad hand sewer with a silly little travel kit, lol. I figured it couldn't hurt to try because I was going to toss the jeans anyway. Go for it!

13 years ago

Aida

Veteran

Great idea Brenda! I don't find straights TOO much better than flares for our wet weather though, I generally stick to skinnies, shorts, dresses, and skirts. And bring my flares out on the rare dry days

13 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

Aida, these will be closer to skinnies than straights. I'm using my maroon skinnies as a pattern of sorts, and they fit a bit looser than my claustrophobia-inducing Old Navy skinnies. I'm cutting my white jeans straighter than the others, but I would probably only wear them in the winter tucked into boots anyway.

I have things pinned. Now for the actual sewing.

13 years ago

Sylvie

Veteran

Ooh, are you altering them yourself?

I have failed to find a pair of straight black jeans I liked but I found a pair of black boot cuts. If I could just alter them into straights, I would be SO happy.

I am impressed by your sewing skills as I just don't trust myself to do that sort of alteration. Looking forward to see the final product.

13 years ago

qfbrenda

Veteran

Yes, I'm doing the sewing myself. I've done quite a bit of sewing, but am still thankful for the tutorials I found on youtube to help me out.

13 years ago

Anonymous

That sounds like a great plan, Brenda, and a way to breathe new life into your fall wardrobe. I have jeans that need to be shortened and some more Halogen pencil skirts to have lengthened and maybe tapered this time. Thank you for the reminder. They have been sitting waiting for alterations too long.

13 years ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have a sewing machine and have never used it! I would love to not have to pay someone to do this for me, but I trust my sewing skills only so far. Replacing buttons and mending? Sure. Anything requiring taking scissors to my clothes scares me.

13 years ago

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