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Hem Your Jeans into Capris and $250 ECCO Giveaway

by 155 Comments

ECCO Sculptured Shoulder Bag I am pretty darn excited about today’s post because I was able to work with one of my favorite brands to put together a functional, stylish outfit AND give one of YOU a $250 gift card for ECCO shoes!  Pretty great, right?!!  One of the simplest things that we can do to change our clothes is to sew a new hem and I’m going to show you just how easy it is today.  I paired my newly cropped jeans with a handmade blouse, a pair of casual ECCO flats, and the most scrumptious ECCO shoulder bag.  The outfit is casual, but definitely put together, and I think it will work well for shopping, a lunch date, and skipping over to all of the kids’ school functions that tend to pop up this time of year. ECCO Sculptured Shoulder Bag and ECCO Touch 15 Patch Ballerina Flats I took a pair of jeans from my donate pile and decided instead to turn them into useable capri pants for the spring.  The jeans fit just fine, but the style was bulky and heavy around my ankles, not to mention too long. Quickly HEM your jeans into capris! To hem your jeans into capris, you will need just a few supplies:

  • pins or clips
  • washable fabric marker
  • scissors/rotary cutter
  • pinking shears (optional)
  • heavy duty/denim sewing needle
  • thick thread appropriate for detail stitching on denim
  • sewing machine

Quickly HEM your jeans into capris! First try them the jeans on and mark where you want your new hem to be.  I find it easiest to scrunch the leg up around your knee until you find the right length and then put a pin at that same height on the other pant leg. Quickly HEM your jeans into capris! Once you have the new finished length marked, the hemming is simple!

  1. Mark 1″ below the desired finish length and cut the bottom of the pant leg straight across through all layers.  This will give you enough excess fabric to make a double-fold hem.
  2. If the pant leg is too wide, you can taper it in at this point.  Figure out how much tapering you want to do by trying the cut pants on inside out.  Pinch along the inside of the leg and mark the starting point of your taper (mine was 8″ above the bottom) and mark how far in (mine was 1/2″).  Use a washable fabric marker to mark your taper line.
  3. Sew to taper the leg – work on the inside seam if possible.  On these particular jeans, the inside seam was topstitched so I had to taper the outer seam, which turned out fine, too.  Use pinking shears to cut down the seam allowance from your tapered side and reduce bulk to 1/4″.
  4. Fold and press up the bottom edge of the jeans by 1/2″.  Fold and press another 1/2″ to create a double-fold hem.  Pin or clip in place.
  5. Set your sewing machine to a bit longer stitch length (I lengthened the stitch to a 3).  Working slowly, sew your new hem approximately 3/8″ from the edge.  It may be easiest to sew with your jeans turned inside out and place the sewing needle inside the cuff to stitch on the right side of the hem.  Add a second row of stitching if desired.
  6. Repeat for the second leg and you’re done!

Quickly HEM your jeans into capris!I am thrilled with how my new capri jeans turned out – they’re lighter and easier to move around in – perfect for spring.  Also, they go great with these adorable ECCO Ballerina Patch flats.   The shoes feature soft leather uppers, a breathable full leather lining, and foam insole for added comfort.  The outer patchwork design is sewn from a variety of rich leathers that are light and flexible.  My ECCO boots that I wore daily this winter (including hours of touring through Paris last Fall) have proven comfortable and these flats seem to provide the same stylish comfort.  I love a pair of shoes that I can wear throughout the day.   Marigold Blouse - sewing pattern ECCO Sculptured Shoulder Bag and ECCO Touch 15 Patch Ballerina Flats ECCO Sculptured Shoulder BagI also added this ECCO Sculptured Shoulder Bag to my outfit and let me tell you, it is divine!  It’s made from cow leather and features water-repellant Baby Ottoman lining.  The gunmetal hardware blends so nicely with this subtle Woodrose color and I kind of love that it will coordinate with lots of looks so that I can use it daily.  Nice and big and ready to stash whatever this busy mom needs!  The inside has a dedicated phone pocket, zip pocket, and key ring strap – nothing’s getting lost in the bottom of this baby, but I’m pretty sure it will fit all the things!!  Dreamy! ECCO Sculptured Shoulder Bag My blouse was handmade by me.  It is the top version from the Marigold Dress Pattern and I love the elastic waist and pretty neckline.  I used gold buttons on this one to dress it up some and the big bow tied sash gives it some added style.  Cap sleeves make it great for the warmer weather!  The fabric is a polyester I picked up at Britex last Fall. ECCO Giveaway ECCO Sculptured Shoulder Bag Alright, friends!  It’s time to give away the most awesome prize!!  $250 for some ECCO shoes of your very own!  Can you already smell the sweet smell of that real, supple leather?? What’s your favorite spring shoe trend? Tell me below in the comments for a chance to win an ECCO shoe card worth up to $250!!  Eek!

Entry Instructions:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

  1. Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post
  2. Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post
  3. Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post
  4. For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

 

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older (or nineteen (19) years of age or older in Alabama and Nebraska). Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the [email protected] email address. You will have 2 business days to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 4/2/15 – 4/30/15.

Be sure to visit the ECCO brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ posts!

Comments

  1. Sandra says

    I’m loving that there are so many cute shoe options now that are actually comfortable! I have a stack of jeans in my donate pile, now I’m going to try and save them!

    Reply

  2. the cape on the corner says

    i can’t wait for it to feel like spring, but for more than a day! i love a good peep toe, that’s how you know it’s spring, when i’m rocking the peep toe, lol.
    b

    Reply

  3. Lindsay says

    I love that blouse! I really like the lace ballet flats I have seen, but I tried on a pair of navy wedge sandals that were tempting, too. 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!

    Reply

  4. Liz j says

    I love the ballet flats.. But I don’t like how wimpy the soles usually are. I am on the hunt for comfortable flats.

    Reply

  5. Jane says

    Looks like Spring has officially hit Saint Louis. I love wearing bright Spring colors and sandals. Guess it us tine to paint my toenails.

    Reply

  6. Emily says

    You look fabulous! What an improvement on those pants! I’m looking forward to leather sandals and maybe I’ll get around to a pedicure. 🙂

    Reply

  7. Charity says

    I love the blouse! That’s really cute.. the gold buttons are perfect.
    I love all of the laser-cut leather. Such a fun trend. =)

    Reply

  8. Tina says

    I love your style!
    looks comfy, but not SAHM style
    (I sometimes have to kick myself in the tooshie to get out of my yoga-pants. But it’s so worth it!)

    I love Ecco-Shoes. But I haven’t bought a pair in a long time….

    Thanks for the give away
    Tina

    Reply

  22. Margaret says

    I would like to have a chance at winning a new pair of spring shoes. The article was great to read. I need to get a start at my spring wardrobe. I really don’t have the funds at this time however I think I can remake a few items that don’t fit well and put them to good use.

    Reply

  26. Barbara P. says

    Nice comfortable trendy flats with a lot of cushion for comfort. Thanks for the chance to win! Great outfit!

    Reply

  27. HilLesha says

    I have always loved ballet flats. Ballet flats possess casual elegance, versatility, and style, making them the ideal all day, everyday shoes! It’s a staple that should be part of any woman’s wardrobe since they can easily be worn with jeans, a skirt, or dress. 🙂

    Reply

  29. Julie Wood says

    My favorite Spring shoe trend is called Bejeweled Flats and Pretty Pink Ballet flats that go with everything!

    Reply

  31. Sandy Klocinski says

    I don’t really have a favorite spring shoe trend. I practically live in athletic shoes (if I can’t be barefoot1) so I guess my favorite trend any time is comfort

    Reply

  33. Lanie says

    I love this entire outfit. The blouse fabric is so cheery and glory. The flats are awesome. Let’s lunch soon.

    Reply

  34. Caryn Reed-Hendon says

    It’s nice to have an alternative to the jeans that I don’t quite wear any more but don’t want to give up. They just need a fashion refresh. I’m definitely going to try this out!

    Reply

  36. Cynthia C says

    I usually wear sandals when the weather gets warm, but I am liking the look of the ballet flat trend is nice.

    Reply

  39. Natalie says

    My favorite spring shoe trend is strappy sandals with bows on it. I like the bows to be pastel colored! I love your blouse btw.

    Reply

  44. nicole d says

    I love anything with a floral print on it, like some floral printed flats, so digging these for spring this year.

    Reply

  52. Kate Burton says

    I can’t sew a stitch so to me the changes you have made are practically MAGIC! Thanks for the giveaway

    Reply

  56. Dana Stargazer Truitt says

    I would love the gift card I am in dire need of clothing. See last month marked my goal of 40lbs lost!! I changed my life entirely by stopping eating certain foods, as well as giving up soda…wahhhh!! I walk 2 miles every morning and do 30mins of cardio every evening. Now there are plenty of great side effect to weight loss. The #1 being the wonderful self confidence, from completing such a monumental goal. I have been carrying that baby weight for years! Back down to 155 yipee!! The one bad side effect is that none of my clothes fit me any more!! Wahhh!! I’m happy about the shopping of course, but my wallet is not!! This gift card would be a great start, to a new fitting wardrobe.
    I’ll be crossing my fingers!!

    Reply

  67. soumya says

    wish i could sew myself a blouse like that!
    my favorite trend for this spring are the oxfords, especially floral ones! i just bought myself a pair!

    Reply

  69. Jessie says

    Can’t wait to put away my sturdy winter shoes and boots and get back to the light Mary Janes and ballet flats that I live in the rest of the year 🙂

    Reply

  79. Teresa says

    After months of snowy slush, I am loving anything lightweight, simple and comfortable: Sandals with a wedge and ballet flats to dress up jeans are two of my favorites.

    Reply

  80. BusyWorkingMama says

    What a great tutorial! Capris look great on you! I love brightly colored sandals for spring. They add a nice pop of color to an outfit!

    Reply

  81. Chi Shannon says

    My favorite shoe trend to look at are those Gladiator types that go up the leg 🙂 but to wear? I have to go with the flats / almost flats that are fancy with embellishments 🙂

    Reply

  93. keshakeke says

    I am loving sandals or peep toe flats right now! I love the tutorial on the capris! I will have to do this with jeans I am not wearing because they are way too long! (I am a shorty!)

    Reply

  97. Jamika Jett says

    Does ECCO have any cute wedges? Wedges usually look better than flats when wearing capri’s.
    #SweepstakesEntry

    Reply

  106. Debbie B says

    i love sandals! i like the slide on or slip on type and especially if they are embellished with a little bling!

    Reply

  131. Betty C says

    I love the look of the sandals with a small wedge. The ECCO Touch 25 Sandal is just right and the adjustable straps are a great feature.

    Reply

  136. Heidi B says

    I really love jeweled flats. The ballerina style is so timeless and classic too. The gladiator ones are fun with the right outfit too.

    Reply

  144. angie says

    I really like all of the faux leathers coming out this year. It is so exciting, for a vegetarian like me, to see cool styles that are cruelty-free! Please don’t take this comment as an attack on your leather loving in this article. It is not intended that way. This is just an honest response to your question. 😀

    Reply

  148. Jerry Marquardt says

    I publicly Tweeted this giveaway: My favorite trend for spring is lighter materials and more versatile looks for shoe wares.

    Reply

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