Refashion Friday Inspiration: Contrast Turn-ups Denim Jeans Cutoffs / Shorts

So I'm writing this whilst listening to the highlights from last weekend's Glastonbury music festival, the UK's biggest and arguably best. Glastonbury kicks off the Summer UK/Europe festival season, which in turn brings forth a slew of articles and photo-spreads in fashion magazines about what a style-conscious festival go-er should be wearing. Those lists inevitably include some kind of update on denim shorts/jeans cutoffs, which could be yours for a whole slice of cash. Well, here's an idea to turn a pair of your own unwanted jeans, or a pair scooped up from a charity shop/thrift store/op-shop, into an updated cutoffs look for a whole lot less dollar. 

As with all jeans cutoffs, it's super-important to start off with a pair of jeans that fit you well around the waist and bum area. The fit or state of the legs is irrelevant for obvious reasons, but it's easy to get put off when you try on a pair that looks horrid from the thighs down. 

Having cut off the legs evenly leaving an extra centimetre for a seam allowance, I measured the width of the remaining leg opening and created a band/loop in contrast printed cotton. I stitched the raw edge of this to the raw edge of the leg holes and pressed the contrast turn-up upwards, tacking down the turn-ups at the inner leg seams and side seams to stop them from flapping down again. 

To make a more cohesive and less random looking garment, I made simple belts/ties from more of the contrast cotton. All you need now is a tank top/vest, pair of wellies, greasy hair and a rain mac and you're all set for your festival of choice!

If you'd like more ideas for refashioning or upcycling your old jeans into Summer shorts, check out my previous posts, the bow detail jeans cutoffs and the scallop hem jeans cutoffs.