The How To: American Flag High-Waisted Shorts
Happy almost 4th of July my all-American fashionistas!
As the biggest flag holiday of the year, it is important to show your patriotism on the 4th! What better way to show your pride than to express it through what you wear tomorrow. Since American flag high-waisted shorts have been popular for awhile now, my sister and I figured we would make some of our own.
Instead of going out and looking for these in the store, head to your local thrift and fabric stores. They aren't as hard to make as they look. What you're going to need is as follows:
-A pair of high-waisted jeans from thrift store
-American flag fabric/bandana
-Fabric glue
-Large fabric scissors
-Small pair of scissors
-Ruler
-Marker
-Razor
-Newspaper
1.) First, you want to put on your jeans and mark where you are going to cut them. You may want to have someone help you make the mark. Don't worry, I know the jeans look awkward on. Just give them a chance. I promise they will look amazing at the end!
If you're having trouble and you already have a pair of high-waisted shorts, put the shorts over the jeans and trace the edge with a marker. My sister did this for hers..
2.) Then, you need to cut the jeans all the way around where you made the mark. Be sure to lay them on a flat surface. Use the ruler if necessary. Careful on this part; it is probably the most important step!
3.) Try them on to make sure you cut them right. Fix them by cutting off extra material if need be.
4.) If you want that distressed look, use a razor to fray the bottom. Be patient for this step as it can take awhile. It will also become more distressed the more you wear the shorts and put them through the wash.
After step 4, if your jeans or American flag material is too stiff, you need to put them through the wash to soften them. Don't use fabric softener though! I skipped this step so it's not pertinent.
5.) Now you need to cut the the stars part of the fabric to fit the left side and the stripes part to fit the right side. Cut it to fit each seam on the top, bottom, and sides. You can either cut around the belt loops, pockets, and zipper now or do that part later. You may need to use tape to hold in place.
Here's what mine and my sister's both looked like after that step:
6.) Put the fabric glue on the shorts next. Make sure to put along all of the edges by the seam. Don't put on the pockets, belt loops, or zipper though! Let dry for an hour.
7.) Wait while drying and then cut around the pockets, belt loops, and zipper now if you haven't yet.
8.) Put them on and revel at your hard work!
It also looks really cute to do this on the back of shorts...
XOXO,
Ashley
P.S. Another DIY 4th of July treat...
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