Wednesday, April 06, 2005

How to make easy kids pants

I am always being asked how I can whip up 20 kids pants in a day. Its easy I say. They say "I could never do it". I say anyone can. Here is the instructions. First cut a pattern from a pair of well worn favourite pants. If the pants are for a child under about 7 yrs old - then the front and back can be the same. This is what the pattern should look like. take the pants and turn them inside out and follow the line. if you are unsure about this method then buy a simple pattern for kids pants and alter it a little so it looks something like this.

cut it out in the fabric x2 for 2 legs.

If the fabric is plain - then to make the pants more interesting add a cuff in a bright contrasting fabric, here I have used a striped cord. Simply cut a lenght the same width as the pattern.

if you are adding a cuff then, sew the cuff onto the bottom of the pants first.

the cuff sewn on the pants.

now sew the two pieces of fabric together - sewing the crotch sections first.

When the crotch sections are sewn together it should look like this.

turn it over to look like this. Sew the inside legs together starting at the crotch and sewing down the legs.

then over lock the top and bottoms

fold the cuff in and sew it wide so it can be turned up. if not using a cuff then turn a wide hem so it can be turned up.

pile of pants ready to thread the elastic

sew on pockets, these could also be done before the pants are put together

some pockets i sewed a design on ready to go on the pants

if not putting on a cuff, then an opportunity exists for some decoration, ribbon or lace looks nice on girls pants.

threading the elastic. as a rough guestimate 1 1/2 times the width across the front of pants

thread it through the top hem in the gap you have left using a large safety pin



at the end sew the elastic together and finish sewing the top down.Posted by Hello

21 comments:

Mrs. D said...

Excellent!
I haven't tried making them with your directions yet, because I thought the pattern I had would fit my 19 month old. Well today I discovered I was wrong. I will have to try your method as I'm too cheap to purchase a pattern! :) You're so awesome for sharing your idea. Thank you!!

Heather said...

I tried making some super simple baby sweatpants today using your method and it was great. Thanks for sharing!

Whitney said...

I was with Heather... here are the pictures of my success!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/msmossy/sets/72157594164362344/

Katie said...

Thank you so much for the instructions! I also create a photo set of Flickr. You can see it here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pcampbell/sets/72157594175698255/

blessedmama said...

i wanted to see the finished product! lol.

eg said...

Your blog was just what I've been searching the net for. I've tried to make my own design while recycling my outworn favorite jeans... but the result was not as intended and have never been worn. I will try you guide and make my own pattern from it. Thank you!

Katie said...

I looked and looked all over for a pattern that I likes. I knew it would be simple but not this simple! Thank you so much.

RheLynn said...

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you for posting these step by step instructions ;)

Anonymous said...

I just made a beautiful pair of apricot colored fall pants for a 4 month old. They are gorgeous and fit perfectly!! Thank you so much for sharing your tips!

Roberta said...

Great tutorial, thanks. I can do this!

mama2stmh said...

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

I have the fabric cut, pinned, and ready to go :) Now to eek out the time, lol.

Have a wonderful 2008!

Kimmie said...

How fun...I have 6 kids, 4 of them are under age 8 and I bet would love some new spring pants...thanks for sharing.

I am new to sewing and liked the tutorial-thanks for taking the time to go step by step.

blessings
Kimmie
mama to 6
one homemade and 5 adopted

Leah said...

Thanks very much - I whipped some shark pants using your tutorial, and DS and I are both delighted with the result.

michelle said...

I have just tried to make my first ever pair of pants.... i wish i had seen your tutorial first. Mine have come out ok but i think i'll follow your steps for my second attempt... thanks for sharing!

jensta said...

Can you tell me how I would know how much elastic to use around the waist for various sizes? I am stuck on that part! I don't know the childs waist size but I know he is in a size 2 toddler pant. How long do i cut the elastic??? Help! :)

thanks!

ella kelly said...

I have to send you a belated "thanks" for this pants tutorial. I started a blog a few months ago and published shorts I made from your tutorial. At the time, I didn't understand how crediting other blogs worked. Now I do. So thank you! I'll post a little something on my blog, also.

Good luck with your house -- I love it!

Poornima said...

Thankyou so much for the tut. It was so easy and i made 2 pants for my toddler and i have zero knowledge in sewing, just my second day on sewing machine. Thanks a lot!

chermonblie said...

I just did 4 pair in under 30 minutes! :) From some old t-shirts! These are PERFECT for covering the legs of a cloth diaper wearer! And from a t-shirt... you may not even need elastic in the waist!

Kath said...

I just made some in 2 sizes for my kids. I do think the back should be roomier than the front but I love the way you simplified the process by making only one piece per leg.
I think they're super easy to modify also, put pants on, add a waist band, put ruffles at the bottom of the legs, etc.
Excellent starting point for quick projects!

Jennifer said...

Thank you so much for this. I just made my daughter 10 pair of pants for school this fall, using cordoroy and also old suit pants (they're so cool!)

Katharine in Brussels said...

Thanks so much! I found your tutorial via the Sew, Mama, Sew blog.