Before/After- Project #19 Jeans to capris with wide leg hem

It's definitely spring here in southern California, and summer is just around the corner.  The weather has been beautiful recently and it's made me want to dig out of the closet my capris and flip flops.  But instead, all I found was long pants, mostly jeans.  Last summer I was still working on my post baby body, so I didn't really buy any new clothes but rather made do with what I had.  So this summer was looking pretty bleak- until I decided to take matter into my own hands!

I confess, I didn't take any before pictures of these jeans.  I completely forgot and didn't really think it would be that interesting to blog about to be honest.  But then I started thinking that a little mini series of turning-pants-into-capris tutorials might be of interest to someone.  So I'll have to fumble my way through this first tutorial and the next one will be better.

This pair of jeans was originally slightly bootcut with a dark and even wash and had a bit of stretch.  The hem was like every other pair of jeans out there.  Here's the After:  

Want to try yourself?  Here we go!

1.  Start out by putting on the jeans and figuring out what finished length you would like them to be.  You could also do this by measuring the inseam of a pair of capris that you already have.  I'll use my measurements as an example:  I want my inseam length to be 26".  

2.    For this style, I wanted a 5" hem, so add 5" to the inseam length.  Now add 1/2" for the hem.  My total is now 26+5+1/2= 31 1/2".

3.  With your pants right side out, cut off the bottom of the legs at 31 1/2" from the crotch.

4.  Turn pants inside out and turn up 1/2" and press.  This is your new hem.

5.  Then turn up 5" and pin.

6.  With your pants still inside out, use a thread that matches your jeans closely (navy or black in my case).  Sew the new hem close to the edge of the fold.

7.  Turn your pants right side out.  Use a topstitching thread (yes, there is such a thing!) that closely matches the original topstitching thread color and follow/sew over the seam you just made.   

8.  Press your new hem flat and try them on and admire your new summer capris!