| How to Turn Jeans Into a Long Skirt Posted: 12 Aug 2020 01:00 AM PDT If you're looking for a fun way to repurpose your old jeans, design a long skirt using the fabric. If you have a sewing machine, you can easily stitch them into a skirt that's as long as you like. Keep in mind that to sew a skirt that falls near your ankles, you'll need 2 pairs of matching jeans so you have enough fabric to work with. You'll look great in your custom-made skirt while saving fabric from the landfill. [Edit]Cutting the Jeans - Choose 2 pairs of matching denim jeans for your long skirt. One pair needs to fit you well around the waist since you'll use it as the top of the skirt. It doesn't matter how the second pair of jeans fits, as long as the color of the denim matches the other pair.[1]
- If you'd like to make a lighter, flowing skirt, choose jeans that also contain synthetic material, such as elastic, or a polyester blend. The cotton and synthetic material create a stretchier fabric that will make a lightweight skirt.
- Lay the main pair of jeans flat and cut along the entire inner leg seam. Spread the pair of jeans that you're going to use for the main body of the skirt flat on your work surface. Take a pair of fabric scissors and cut near the bottom hem of the pant leg at the inner seam. Cut all the way up the inner leg across the crotch and down the opposite pant leg.[2]
- Do not cut into the seam since this makes the stitches unravel and you'll be using the seam when you assemble the jean skirt.
- Cut about along the vertical seams of the crotch. Start cutting at the middle of the crotch where the vertical and horizontal seams meet. Cut up along the side of the vertical seam by about . Then, flip the jeans over and repeat this for the back crotch. This helps the fabric lay flat instead of puckering up.[3]
- Remember not to cut into the seam itself so the denim doesn't fray.
- It's fine to cut even higher along the crotch so the fabric lays flat. If you accidentally cut too high on the crotch, you can just sew the fabric in place later.
- Overlap the crotch fabric and pin it in place. Once you've cut along the front and back crotch seams, overlap the fabric so the denim lays flat instead of puckers. If it still puckers a little, cut another along the seam. Then, insert a sewing pin through both layers of fabric on each side.[4]
- Position each sewing pin so it's parallel to the top crotch seam.
[Edit]Creating Center Panels - Use scissors to cut the legs off of the second pair of jeans. To give you fabric for the panels of the skirt, spread the other pair of jeans flat on your work surface. Cut from the top of the crotch seams to the side of the jeans without cutting into the back pockets. Try to cut as close to the pockets as you can though, to give you the most fabric to work with.[5]
- Repeat this for the other leg so you have 2 pieces of fabric. You won't need the leftover waist piece from this pair of jeans.
- Cut straight along the inner seam for each leg piece. Take 1 of the pant legs, which looks like a tube, and cut from the bottom hem to the top of the leg. Cut close to the inner leg seam without cutting into the stitches themselves.[6]
- Repeat this for the other leg piece. Now, you'll have 2 wide panel pieces of fabric to use for the center of your jean skirt.
- Arrange the panel pieces in the center between the main pair of pants. Slip 1 of the panels into the center of the first pair of jeans so the right side of the fabric faces up. Move the panel so the bottom edge lines up with the bottom of the original pants and line up the seam so it's in the center. Repeat this for the other panel.[7]
- Pin the edges of the panel pieces in place. Take sewing pins and insert them through both layers of denim. Insert pins about every from the bottom hemline up and around the panel to the opposite hemline. Then, repeat this for the back panel.[8]
- Insert the pins so they're parallel with the seam line.
[Edit]Assembling the Long Jean Skirt - Set up your sewing machine with polyester thread and a denim needle. A polyester thread is stronger than cotton thread, so it won't snap or break as you sew through the thick denim. You'll also need to install a heavy-duty sewing needle that's designed for denim. Most of these needles are labeled "heavy duty" or "denim." If you use a thinner needle, it may break.[9]
- You can choose a thread color that matches the fabric or pick a thread that matches the color of the thread on the jeans, such as gold.
- Adjust the stitch length between . Set the machine to make long straight stitches so the needle is less likely to get stuck in the thick denim. You'll be following the straight stitch line that's already on the inner pant legs.[10]
- If your machine is struggling to stitch through the denim, take it even slower or turn the hand wheel to make stitches.
- Straight stitch along the seam where the panel meets the inner pant leg. Start at the bottom hemline and sew up along the inner leg seam. Sew directly over the existing seams so it goes through the panel underneath. When you reach the crotch, turn the fabric to sew the crotch slit closed. Then, straight stitch down the other inner leg seam.[11]
- Repeat this for the back panel of the skirt.
- Remove the sewing pins as you stitch so you don't accidentally sew over them.
- Turn the skirt inside out and cut off the excess fabric. Flip the skirt so the wrong side of the fabric faces out and you can see the excess fabric of the center panels. Use your scissors to carefully cut the excess panel right along the seam you just sewed. Try to leave about of fabric next to the seam.[12]
- Ensure that you don't cut into your seam or you'll get a hole in the middle of the skirt.
- If you don't want a jean skirt made completely with denim, use your choice of fabric for the center panels instead of working with a second pair of jeans.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - 2 pairs of jeans
- Sewing machine
- Heavy-duty sewing needle
- Polyester thread
- Fabric scissors
- Sewing pins
[Edit]References |
| How to Test the Knee Jerk Reflex Posted: 11 Aug 2020 05:00 PM PDT If you've ever had a physical at the doctor's office, they probably tapped your knee with a little rubber hammer and made your leg kick out. This simple test is meant to check the reflexes in your leg, or how quickly signals travel between your nerves, spinal cord, and muscles. If you're curious about testing your own knee jerk (or patellar) reflex, you can easily do it with just your hand or a rubber reflex mallet! If you have any concerns about your reflexes, call your doctor. They can do more thorough testing to check for any possible problems. [Edit]Testing Your Own Knee Jerk Reflex - Sit on the edge of a bed or table with your legs dangling. Find a surface that's high enough so that you can let your legs dangle freely when you're sitting on it. Keep your knees bent at a 90° angle when you sit.[1]
- Your legs will need to be able to swing for you to see the reflex at work.
- You might also find it helpful to lift your knee slightly by placing one of your hands underneath it.
- Tap the spot right below your kneecap with the side of your hand. Feel your knee to find a slight gap between the bottom of your kneecap and the top of your shin bone. Gently tap that space with the side of your hand, or have a friend do it for you.[2]
- If you have a medical reflex hammer, that's even better! These hammers are specially designed to hit the tendon precisely without causing any pain. Don't use any other type of hammer, or you could hurt yourself.
- Alternatively, cup your hand and keep your fingers tightly together. Rest your wrist on your kneecap and swing your fingers down to hit the gap.
- Watch for your lower leg to kick forward slightly. When you tap your knee with the side of your hand or a reflex hammer, the muscles in your thigh will tense up briefly. Watch for your leg to kick out a little bit, then come to a rest.[3]
- You may feel a slight "tickling" sensation in your leg when you hit the tendon.
- You might get a stronger reaction if you're using a proper medical reflex hammer.
- If your leg doesn't respond at all or has a very sluggish reaction, that could be a sign of nerve damage in your leg or lower spine. If this happens, don't panic—it's possible you just didn't do the test correctly. Call your doctor if you're worried.
[Edit]Getting a Neurological Exam - See your doctor if you're concerned about a neurological problem. Reflex testing is a standard part of most general physical exams. However, your doctor might also recommend reflex testing if they suspect you have a neurological problem, such as a disease or injury that affects your nervous system.[4] Ask your doctor if you need a reflex test.
- They might also recommend a patellar reflex test if they suspect damage to the nerves in your lower back.[5]
- Talk to your doctor about your health history. Let your doctor know if you've had any injuries or illnesses that might affect your reflexes, or if you've had any symptoms you're concerned about. This will help them determine the source of the problem. Common symptoms of neurological disease or nerve damage include:[6]
- Sudden or persistent headaches
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in any part of your body
- Changes in vision
- Tremors, involuntary movements, or loss of coordination
- Back pain that radiates to other parts of your body, like your legs
- Difficulty thinking, remembering, or concentrating
- Let them test all your deep tendon reflexes. In addition to testing your knee jerk reflex, your doctor or neurologist will test the reflexes in other parts of your body. Just like with the knee jerk reflex, they will test these reflexes by gently tapping your tendons with a rubber hammer.[7] Other common deep tendon reflex tests include:[8]
- The biceps and triceps reflexes. For these tests, the doctor will tap tendons near your elbow to make the muscles in your upper arm contract.
- The brachioradialis reflex. The doctor will tap a tendon above your wrist to make your forearm flex.
- The ankle reflex. This test involves tapping your Achilles tendon (the tendon that connects your heel to your calf muscles) with the hammer to make your foot jerk.
- Consent to other tests to determine the source of the problem. If your doctor suspects a neurological issue, they may refer you to a specialist, called a neurologist, for more testing. The neurologist will ask you about your health history and do a variety of tests. They might:[9]
- Test your ability to feel a soft cloth, some light needle pokes, or objects of different temperatures.
- Ask you questions to check your basic language and math skills, or test your ability to remember basic information.
- Check your vital signs, such as your pulse, respiration rate, body temperature, and blood pressure.
- It's possible that you can improve your reflexes with exercise. For example, you might be able to develop faster reflexes in your legs and feet by practicing running or kicking.[10] If you have any health issues, ask your doctor about what kind of exercise is safe for you.
- Ask a friend or family member to test your reflexes if you have trouble triggering them yourself.
- Hook your fingers together and try to pull them apart to help distract you from the test. That way, you'll get more accurate results.
[Edit]References |
| How to Make an Origami Giraffe Posted: 11 Aug 2020 09:00 AM PDT Origami giraffes are a fun gift for friends and family, or you can use them as a fun decoration. This particular pattern can be tricky, as it involves a lot of intricate folds and creases. Don't be discouraged if it takes you a few tries to make this—after all, practice makes perfect! [Edit]Creating the Initial Folds - Color in brown spots on some yellow origami paper to design the pattern. Take a brown marker and sketch out different shapes all over the colored side of your origami paper. Color in all the spots to create a realistic pattern for your origami giraffe.[1]
- Ideally, use origami paper that's about . However, any square-shaped piece of paper will work.[2]
- Fold and unfold the paper in half twice to make 2 creases. Lay the square piece of paper on your workspace, then fold the right and left edges together. Crease along the folded edge of the paper and unfold it again. To make the paper easier to work with, fold the paper from top to bottom to create another crease in your paper.[3]
- At this point, you'll have 2 creases forming a "plus" sign on your origami paper.
- Rotate the same sheet of paper so it looks like a diamond. Place your folded paper with the pattern side facing up. Turn the paper 45-degrees so it looks like a diamond, with the pointed corner facing upwards.[4]
- An origami giraffe requires a lot of folds, so you'll need to adjust your paper a lot to make all the folds you need.
- Fold and unfold the paper in half twice to make 2 more creases. Crease the paper so the top and bottom corners are touching each other. Press and slide your finger along the line to create a definitive crease along your paper. Unfold the paper and then fold it half again, allowing the left and right corners to meet. Crease this edge and unfold the paper again so the colored side is facing up.[5]
- At this point, your paper should have a total of 4 creases.
- Pinch and press the paper into a small square. Push the center of the paper up with your finger so all the creases slope away at a downward angle. Fold the paper in half slightly, leaving the bottom of the paper open. Pinch both sides of the folded paper and push them towards the center. At this point, flatten the paper into a folded square.[6]
- The colored, patterned side of the paper will still be facing outwards.
- Fold the side corners of paper into the center. Take the left corner on top of the folded square and fold the bottom left section of paper into the center, vertical crease. Repeat this process with the right corner of the square. Crease along the edges of these folds so the paper holds its shape.[7]
- You're only folding the top layer of paper, not the entire square.
- At this point, an unfolded triangle will be visible along the top of the square.
- Flip the square over and repeat this folding process. Turn your square over so the section you just folded is face-down. Do the same folding pattern that you did before, bringing the bottom right and left corners along the center the center crease. Press along the side creases to hold these folds in place.[8]
- At this point, both sides of the square will be folded. There will also be an unfolded triangle along the top of the back square.
[Edit]Forming the Basic Giraffe Shape - Fold the top triangular section of the paper downwards. Take the entire upper triangle and fold it down over the back side of the square. This will form a smaller triangle with the folded origami paper.[9]
- You'll be folding all the paper layers over instead of just 1.
- Flip the paper over and lift up the folded section. Hold your paper triangle with the recently folded triangle facing down. Open the 2 folds on the front of the triangle, then lift the unfolded paper upwards. This will form a large diamond shape within your origami paper.[10]
- This part can be a little tricky to get down at first. Don't be discouraged if you don't nail it right away!
- Press the paper into a kite shape. Refold the bottom sections of paper into a triangle shape along the bottom half of your origami paper. Make the top section of the diamond a mirror image of the bottom by folding 2 smaller triangles into the center of the paper.[11]
- At this point, your paper will look like a kite, with 4 equal triangles of paper folded towards the center.
- Do the same flip, fold, and press on the other side. Flip your paper over and lift up the small triangle that you just folded over. Unfold the larger triangles along the bottom half of the diamond, then unfold the paper into a larger diamond as you did before. Press the bottom half of the diamond into 2 identical triangles, and repeat the same folds with the top, unfolded section of paper. When you're done, both sides of the origami will look identical.[12]
- This section will also look like a kite.
- Hold the paper structure upright and fold it in half. Pinch the top half of each diamond on both sides of your origami paper. Tug on both sections to expand the paper, creating a larger structure. Pull and stretch out the folded origami until the top, colored section of paper is completely flat. Fold the upright paper vertically so 4 even points of paper stick out in each direction.[13]
- You'll be folding the paper backwards instead of forwards as you do this.
- Fold the 2 side points upward to create a paper hat shape. Pinch along both sides of the front and back points of your origami paper. Check that the triangles match each other and create an even fold. Always crease along the bottom edge of your fold so the paper holds its shape.[14]
- At this point, your origami giraffe will kind of resemble a paper hat.
[Edit]Fine-tuning the Features - Flip the paper and push the left section of paper upwards. Shift your folded origami paper so the folded points are now facing downwards. Hold the central part of the paper with 1 hand, then use your opposite to push the left point upwards. When pushed forward, the paper will become a regular folded triangle, similar to a kite shape.[15]
- This will serve as the neck and head of your giraffe.
- Fold the front section of paper backward to form the neck and front legs. Press along the left and right sections of the neck, creasing them in place so they fold around the giraffe's body.
- Crease the back section of paper downwards to form the back legs. Create an initial fold for the back legs before you actually fold them into place. Take the right, folded point of paper and fold it downwards, creating a basic leg shape. Press along the edge of the fold to form an exact crease.[16]
- This isn't the permanent position of the back legs—the crease will just help you assemble the giraffe.
- The point of the front and back legs need to be the same length. If your back leg is too long or too short, you may need to refold.
- Unfold the back legs and crease them into place. Lift the folded paper so it's back in a straight line, then turn the paper inside out. Fold and crease 1 triangle along the left side of the giraffe, and the other triangle along the right side of the giraffe. Check that both of these triangles are mirror images of 1 another.[17]
- The back legs should still be in line with the front legs.
- Fold and crease the upper section of the paper neck to form the head. Take a small, section or so from the top, upper point of the giraffe's neck and fold it forwards. Crease along the fold so you have a distinct idea of where the giraffe's head will go. As you did with the back legs, unfold the section of paper making up the head and crease 1 triangle along the left and right sides of the giraffe's neck.[18]
- Crease and fold both halves of the neck to make it thin and rectangular. Unfold the giraffe's neck slightly, which should resemble a large, folded triangle. Fold and crease in the tipped edge of the neck, giving the giraffe's neck a straight edge and rectangular shape. Repeat this on the other side so the giraffe's neck looks straight and sleek.[19]
- Repeat this folding and creasing section along the giraffe's back. Open up the folds on top of the giraffe's back and fold a small, triangular section of paper inwards on each side. Crease along the edges so the giraffe's back looks straight instead of humped.[20]
- You can display your giraffe by balancing it on its paper legs.
- An origami giraffe is a lot more difficult to make than some other origami shapes. If you're new to origami folding, you may want to start with a simpler animal, like a crane.
[Edit]Things You'll Need - Square-shaped yellow origami paper, ideally
- Markers (optional)
[Edit]References |
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