Blending casual comfort with a touch of glamour, this DIY side-stripe pants project combines plush velvet ribbon with ordinary jeans for an on-trend look you can recreate at home. The best part: you don’t need a sewing machine. This is a true no-sew project that’s fast, affordable, and beginner-friendly. Follow along for before-and-after photos and an easy step-by-step tutorial.
Note: The total cost for this outfit, including the jeans, came in under $15.
Emma scored the base pair of pants at a thrift store for $5; the remaining supplies cost less than $10, so the full makeover stayed under $15. It’s a frugal way to try the side-stripe trend without spending a lot on a ready-made pair from a store. Here’s how to make your own.
Materials and Tools
- Any pants with a side seam you like—straight-leg jeans, wide-leg trousers, track pants, etc.
- 1-inch-wide velvet ribbon (about 2–3 yards, depending on pant length)
- Heat-bond iron-on adhesive tape (about 1/2″–3/4″ wide)*
- Straight pins
- A thin scrap of fabric to protect ribbon while ironing
- Iron
*Heat-bond adhesive tape works especially well on textured fabrics like denim, suede, wool, and corduroy.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Begin by steaming or ironing the pants to remove wrinkles. Preheat your iron to a medium setting and keep it ready for the project.
2. Lay one pant leg flat on your work surface with the side seam centered. Positioning the seam down the middle gives you clear access for attaching the stripe.
3. Starting at the waistband, pin the adhesive tape and the velvet ribbon in place along the seam line. Layer them like a sandwich: pant fabric on the bottom, adhesive tape in the middle, and velvet on top. Pin as you go and follow the seam to keep the stripe perfectly straight.
4. When the stripe is pinned down the full length of the leg, place a thin scrap of fabric over the velvet to protect it from direct heat. Press the iron over the strip per the adhesive tape manufacturer’s directions—short 5–10 second presses work well. Between presses check whether the ribbon has adhered. In some spots you may need to press a bit longer or apply gentle pressure with your finger immediately after ironing to help the bond set.
The adhesion step may require a little trial and error—some sections will bond quickly and others might need more time. The tape recommended above is the one used for this project and holds up well, but be prepared to apply extra heat for stubborn areas.
5. At the bottom of the pant leg, leave about an extra inch of ribbon and adhesive. Trim any excess, then fold that inch under into the inside of the hem and secure it with heat in the same way you attached the rest of the stripe. This creates a neat finished edge and prevents fraying.
6. Repeat the entire process on the second pant leg, matching the stripe placement so both sides line up evenly.
Care and Maintenance: For garments finished with iron-on adhesive tape, machine wash is fine, but hang-dry rather than tumble-dry. The high heat of the dryer can soften or weaken the adhesive over time. Fortunately, denim typically doesn’t need frequent washing, which makes this method ideal for jeans and similar garments.
Sewing and modeling: Emma Spear // Photography: Brittni Mehlhoff
Will you try this trend? Do you love side-striped pants or is this one not for you? Share your thoughts—hell yes or hell no!