Learning To Make Alterations

Apparently I have a knack for making accidental skinny jeans. These jeans were four sizes too big. I had just altered my second pair of jeans (also four sizes too big) and it went really well. I was feeling pretty confident in my altering abilities. On this pair, I decided I wanted to adjust the rise. I read the easiest method was to cut the inseam, on the inside of the pants, including the crotch.
I followed the same basic steps from the best tutorial I found. Step 1: try on the jeans inside out. Step 2: decide what you want to end up with and mark it (this time I even remembered the seam allowance). Then I measured the same distance all the way around. That was my problem this time. I really just wanted to change the top half of the jeans, so I'm not sure why I measured 1.5" all the way around the entire inseam. On the pair I had just successfully altered, I tapered the top half, took in the waistband and voila- new jeans! This pair, not so much!

Before shot

2 before and 3 after

I now have a pair of low rise, skinny, boot cut jeans. They still gap on the top because I hadn't altered the waistband. I was laughing as I put them on and I laughed even harder when I saw the after pictures. (My photographer must have thought there was something funny too because he kept telling me to turn around.) The irony of the situation is that these used to be my "fat" jeans and now they are too skinny for me! One good thing about altering my old clothes is I don't feel so bad when something goes wrong. This was an experimental alteration and I have learned from my mistake. Don't be surprised if you see this pair of jeans again! I have another idea on how to alter them into something that I can wear.