DIY: High-Waisted Jean Shorts

 This is a tutorial (or jortorial, as my dad called it) teaching you to make the high-waisted "mom jean" shorts. I have done quite a few pairs using this method, so with my sister as my model, I'm going to show you how to create this look. Here we go!

 Ingredients for a great pair of jorts: sewing shears, tape measure, ruler, and chalk wheel...

 ...not to mention the most important component: the jeans! Caroline is so slender that we had to look in the children's department at Goodwill in order to find a pair that didn't completely swallow her. We found this pair of highwaters in a nice color with the ideal high-rise.

 Another perk of buying in kids: it's cheaper! Now if only I would fit into little girls' sizes...

 The first thing you need to do is put the jeans on. Looking in a mirror, make a line with the chalk wheel to mark the length you desire the shorts to be. Only mark one leg for now.

Turn around and repeat that step on the back side, keeping in mind that the length on the back will be a bit longer than the length on the front. If you were to cut straight across at the same length as the front, they wouldn't cover your tushie!

 Next you need to remove the jeans (putting on other pants is optional). Lay them down straight on a flat surface and measure the distance from the hem of the jeans up to the line you made.

 Now that you know the exact distance, measure up from the hem on the opposite leg and make a mark. You should have two lines on the front side of your pants.

 Repeat this step on the back side.

 Now you must connect the lines on the front side and the back side. The easiest way to do this is to turn each leg onto its side.

 Use your ruler to connect the lines at each fold, and mark a new line with the chalk wheel. The diagonal may look very severe, but it ends up forming a very gentle curve.

 They should end up looking like this in the front...

 ...and this in the back.

 Cut along the line, one layer at a time. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CUT BOTH LAYERS AT ONCE.

 This is how they will look right after you cut them. The bottom edge will be very raw and jagged-looking.

Your very last step is to wash your shorts! Washing them on a regular cycle will fray the bottom of the shorts and give them the worn, fringy look. I always recommend washing secondhand pieces before wearing them, so this step kills two birds with one stone.

And here is another look at final product!

Lacy top: Windsor
Necklace: Charlotte Russe