Tuesday, March 13, 2012

diy: Zig Zag Shorts



If there's anything I love about spring & summer - aside from the longer days and sunshine - it's the chance to DIY so many more clothes. Practically all of my warm weather clothes are altered or handmade. So, naturally, I'm really looking forward to the change of season.

This project is a quick and easy DIY that's ideal for reusing an old pair of jeans. I had this pair for literally years...there was even a rip in the crotch that I fixed. I haven't used them in a really long time (again, it's been years) but I didn't want to throw them out either. Instead, I decided to make them into shorts - but with a little twist.




It's a good project to keep in mind while you're spring cleaning this year! Keep reading to see how I made them.






Supplies:

- Old pair of jeans
- Ruler/straight edge
- Scrap cardboard
- Sharp scissors
- Sharpie/marker
- Charcoal pencil




1) Using the ruler/straight edge, draw a triangle on the scrap cardboard. The height of the triangle is up to you.




(You'll be tracing around this triangle along the shorts' bottom edge, multiple times. If you're hesitant about it fitting perfectly, you can use the ruler to do some measurements. In other words, your last traced triangle might be only half or partial if the proportions aren't specific. You can always measure the width of the leg, then figure out the triangle size from there. For example, if the leg width is 10 inches, your triangle can be 2 inches wide so that it can be fully traced 5 times.)




2) Cut out the triangle.




3) Cut the jeans into shorts. It helps to try them on first, just to double check where exactly you'd like to cut them.





4) Place the triangle on the bottom edge of the shorts; it might help to start at the side seam. Trace with the charcoal pencil.




5) Continue tracing along the edge, and on the back. Repeat on the other leg.




6) Carefully cut out along the lines. Repeat on the back side, and other leg.







Outfit Details:

Dreaming Drawing Creating Tee (c/o VIP Sisters. Black is sold out, but white version is available), JewelMint Call to Arms Bracelet (c/o JewelMint), DIY Zig Zag shorts, Audrey Brooke Suede Pumps in Fuchsia.




xo!

32 comments:

  1. Cute! Kinda like those scalloped shorts!

    check out my blog?
    fashionqueen294.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Nice! You don't see that too often :) Creative as always ^^

    ReplyDelete
  3. looks nice and is easy made ;) nice! xx

    voskar.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. This is an amazing idea. Right after I saw this (an hour ago) I started cutting a pair of shorts and they look great! Thank you :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cool! I like this version much more than those ripped off jeans. :) BTW love your nail color reminds me "For Audrey" by china glaze.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Wow! They're super cute, never thought of that!
    Might cut some old jeans up for the spring/summer! :D xx

    ReplyDelete
  7. love the jewelmint bracelet! I've actually had a few pairs of old jeans laying around that I've been meaning to throw out or donate, but I'm totally reconsidering now...love how they loook on you! <3
    Rory
    www.WearAboutsBlog.com
    Follow me on CHICTOPIA

    ReplyDelete
  8. These look great! Wonder if the same technique would work for scalloped shorts :)
    xx

    www.queenoffunkydiy.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  9. That's really cool. I kind of have a thing for triangles so you know I'll be trying this out soon. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  10. These are super cute! You mentioned that you fixed a hole in the crotch of them, when that happens to my jeans I usually throw them out but if you have any tips for fixing them i'd love to know. I hate throwing away jeans just because of that little reason.

    ReplyDelete
  11. You gave me an idea. Since this style would not appear to be manly, I said to self, 'Self, take those old Levi's 501's, ya know, the ones with a perfect fit and knees blown out that you can't throw away, then take a chainsaw to them and make shorts. Thanks for the idea!

    ReplyDelete
  12. nice idea!!! :)
    http://prinzessinbouvet.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is really different! I like the idea, I think I might try doing this to jean shorts but with a scalloped, rounded hem.

    Shop Vintage!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Seriously this is how my mom made me shorts when I was a kid. She would cut my ripped jeans with pinking shears that cut with the same zig zag pattern.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!
    ilovedoityourself.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Looks super great
    have a nice and stylish weekend darling
    come and say Hi, we could start a stylish friendship
    The Dolls Factory

    ReplyDelete
  17. Such a good idea!! Love your blog..I'm new on the net, so take a look and follow back if u like it!

    Xx Elisa
    http://degenerationmode.blogspot.it/

    ReplyDelete
  18. Likee!

    Please check out my MARC JACOBS giveaway at my blog!
    http://floortjeloves.blogspot.com/

    Kisses!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is such a cute idea! xx

    ReplyDelete
  20. Love those purple suede pumps! =)

    http://pinkchampagnefashion.blogspot.com/

    ReplyDelete
  21. What a cool idea! I never would've thought of that! I love it. I just found your blog, it's aaaamazing! Love your header, very creative!

    Xx Kelly

    www.MessyDirtyHair.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. love this idea!
    Please take a look to my blog and let me know if you like it!

    www.crzcproject.com

    ReplyDelete
  23. great header!
    check out my blog :)
    and follow or leave a comment if you like it
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  24. Super cool look<3

    Your Blog is so inspiring!! Would you like to follow each other?

    xoxo Dani

    www.mystylesmysmiles.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  25. i love that first necklace! its gorgeous,!
    now following you, hope you can too
    faashiongeek.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Love it!!!!

    aydanim.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Don't those jeans start shredding once you wash them? Is that a desired effect, or do you do something to prevent that?

    ReplyDelete

Leave a comment!