The process is really quite simple. The conversion was a white flecked denim style trouser with zips at the back of the hem, panels joined at the knees and a band with fly zip at the front.
The width from the hip down will be determined by the width of the leg. Usually the skirt would be a pencil shape, however panels could be inserted to give flair. In the example I am going for a pencil style skirt.
As you know when making a straight skirt, the center front is usually on the fold line which means it is on the straight of the grain. In contrast the center front and center back on trousers is curved to accommodate the front and back rise of the trousers.
When cutting the trousers ensure you have a straight line. Diagrams show the difference between a skirt and trousers
Every body shape is different, therefore it is best to unpick the inside leg seams plus the center front and center back up to the band if possible. Unpick the section of the band at this CF and CB seam, beginning at the last stitch sewn.
Join the front and back panels together beginning at the top where it is joined to the band, and sew a straight line down to the hem. Do not cut off any fabric. Iron the seams flat and have a fitting to see how it sits on the person. This way you can pin up the excess so that it “fits” to the body.
Front panels inside leg joined
Front panels inside leg joinedBack panels inside leg joined
Back panels inside leg joined
The section at the zip needs to be reshaped to the persons body shape. The flap section needs to be re cut and the section on the other side needs to be re cut. Do this before overlocking. If you are not sure grab a skirt and lay it over the unpicked section. This will help with how much to cut. Remember to leave seam allowance
Re sew the zip.
Stitching from end of zip
Stitch from end of zipStitch the zip on sewing the side without the flap first.
Close the zip and pin the 2nd side of the zip to the flap. Make sure that the bottom of the zip does not have a pucker and that the band is even.
Sew the zip onto the flap section, then pin the flap into place and top stitch down the outside curving around to the end of the zip (just like any jean zip). Always try and stitch into the original stitch line, so that no one can see it has been altered.
Stitch the section on the band that was unpicked.
Because of the width of the trouser leg the skirt will be a pencil shape. The skirt can either be shortened, or a zip can be inserted at the center back to allow kick movement. In this case I left the zips in the back for kick movement.
Convert trousers to a skirt
Converted to a skirt
Happy altering
Judith Turner