I am hitting my Christmas projects hard this week and decided to make 2 pairs of pants/leggings for my daughters. Originally I was going to make them for Christmas gifts, but I wanted to go ahead and show you how they look when they wear them, and man-oh-man – cuteness.
I wanted the pants to be skinny/leggings/slim fit, so I used a pair of basic black leggings as the “pattern” for both of them. If you want wide leg or flared pants, make sure to use pants that are in the shape you want. You can make these in lots of sizes from newborn up, and even shorts for summer! And yes, I have made myself leggings using this same technique, but with regular fabric. Play around and see what works for you:)
The supplies are pretty basic :
3/4″ elastic
sharp scissors
t-shirt (Use a shirt that is over-sized and long so that you have plenty of fabric – don’t be afraid of patterns!)
thread (in any color you like)
trusty sewing machine
*You may also need a tape measure and straight pins if you like things to be exact, but those are completely optional in my opinion:)
Step 1: Take a pair of pants that fit your child and fold them in half. Lay the folded pants on the left, front of the shirt, and cut all the way around them (don’t cut the pattern pants, just follow the shape) leaving 1/2″ seam allowance and 2″ seam allowance at the top. *I wanted extra long pants, so I left more room at the bottom. You want the bottom of the shirt to be the bottom of your pant legs so that you can skip hemming (yay!).
Step 2: Repeat step 1 on the right side of the shirt. You now will have 4 pieces of fabric. Take the first 2 pieces and put them right sides together. Zigzag stitch along the “outer” side of the pants (not the side with the “bump”) from top to bottom. You will do this twice.
You now have 2 pieces of fabric, and should go ahead and press your seams open.
Step 3: After pressing, lay your 2 pieces right sides together, and zigzag stitch from the top of the pants to the crotch (or “bumps”) on both sides. Now open your pants so that the parts with the “bumps” are now the front and back of the pants. You should now be able to see the shape of your pants!
Step 4: Zigzag stitch from the crotch to the bottom of the legs on both sides. Don’t forget to press open your seams and clip threads as you go (I am totally saying this to myself!).
Step 5: Fold down the top of the pants into a “tube” and press. Stitch all the way around the bottom of the tube, but leave a small opening to insert the elastic. Push the elastic through the tube. Use a safety pin in the elastic to make this easier. Stitch the elastic together when you get it pulled through, and then stitch your opening closed. Turn your pants right side out, and you’re…
Easy right!? And the best part is, they only cost me about $1.00 each to make, so it is a total bargain, and a perfect gift option when money is tight or even if it’s not! My girls modeled the pants, and were so cute, giving me their best smiles and “looks”.
I made a couple hair bows using scraps from the shirts. I left the edges raw, and didn’t back them with anything, so they are completely imperfect, but I am okay with that. They still look adorable…right? :)
If you try making pants like these, send me a photo – I would love to see!
What handmade gifts are you making this year?
Stormie
Dec 9, 2010 -
Ahhhhh I love these! Great job, they are super fantastic! :)
Chyrl
Dec 9, 2010 -
Stephanie, I am so proud of you! What a great job for someone who hasn’t been sewing for very long. They are adorable (the pants,too).
allison
Dec 9, 2010 -
sooooooooooooooo cute!!!! awesome job!!!!! The girls are just adorable!!!!!!
May
Dec 9, 2010 -
Thanks ladies! I am glad that you like them:) They are totally not sewn in the “correct” way, but I think I am too impatient for regular patterns – ha!
J
Dec 9, 2010 -
These are great, my little domestic doyen! Really adorable!
Stef Phipps
Dec 9, 2010 -
STINKIN’ ADORABLE!!! Why oh why did I give that shirt away?? hahahahhahah LOVE this, Steph!
Pearl
Dec 9, 2010 -
Way to go Stephanie!!! Love, love , love them! I can’t began to tell you how nice it is to see young women sewing. I love that Audrey does it, and all the creative thing she is making. “correct” you say, forget about it. They look amazing. When I made cloths for Audrey I never used a pattern. I really must get my machine working agian.
Pearl
Dec 9, 2010 -
Oh, and I love the fact that you lined up the stripes. When I was in school, so many girls would not do that and it drove me crazy.
Dessa
Dec 12, 2010 -
Steph, these are awesome! I might need to make myself a pair, though that project will need a little more fabric ;)
Stephanie
Dec 13, 2010 -
Thanks Stef, Pearl and Dess! Hahaha, I can’t believe you brought up the stripe “lining up”, because I totally didn’t think that it would work out! I’m glad it did though, and thanks for noticing!
Making a List @ Christmastime « Thought Collage
Feb 9, 2011 -
[…] Yes, my daughter, I am proud to say, created the cutest leggings from some striped shirts she got at last week’s mad clothes swap – the one in my living room?!! Did I mention that? Anyhow – she is quite creative and re-purposeful and her models, Guini and Gemma, are most adorable and not just because they are my grandbebes! No, they are truly gorgeous and spirited little women (and mine, all mine…well, actually, I must share)! SEE THE FULL POST WITH HOW-TO HERE. […]
MayDae | Teeny Tinies ♥
Jan 28, 2014 -
[…] you really can never have too many sweet baby photos right? I made each of their pants using my old tutorial from centuries ago. I used 3 of my too-big shirts to make them, and I also made each of the girls […]