Do you ever feel like making a pair of pants out of that crazy fabric you like but are afraid to try? Here's a pattern that's easy to make and looks flattering on almost every figure.
Step 1 Prepare your fabric
- Wash and dry your fabric as per the care instructions that are usually found on the bolt of fabric purchased at the store. This prevents the fabric from shrinking after you make your pants and wash them.
Step 2 Measure yourself
- Measure from your waist to the bottom of your crotch.
- Also measure from the middle your waist on the left side to the middle of your waist on the right side for both front and back.
- Be sure to write down your measurements!
Step 3 Lay out fabric
- Match the selvage ends, the ends of the fabric finished by the machine as it wove it.
Be sure to smooth out any wrinkles.
Step 4 Mark and cut the crotch line
- Using a marking pencil (if desired), draw a "u" shape on the top middle of the fold of the fabric. The height of the "u" should be the length from your waist to the bottom of your crotch.
- Cut carefully and slowly. It may be harder to cut on some fabrics than it is on others, so take your time as to reduce mistakes.
- Use pins if your fabric is too slippery
Cut the fold after your have cut your crotch line out.
Step 5 Sew the crotch line
Pin the two pieces of fabric together and sew 5/8" along the edge of the "u." If desired, sew over stitches to reinforce them.
Step 6 Put them together
This is the part that gets tricky! Taking the left and right hand corner of the pants on both sides, bring them together and lay the pants down facing you.
Step 7 Make them wearable
- Cut off excess fabric on the sides, but be sure to leave enough room for them to tie in the front and the back. Do not cut the fabric yet if you want to make a fabric tie. Use your left-to-right waist measurements for a perfect fit.
Step 8 Make a tie:
- Ribbon tie - Sew a length of ribbon onto the end of the fabric. Be sure that you have two ribbons in the front and two in the back.
Fabric tie - simply use the extra fabric at the top as a tie, making an upside down "L" shape cut on the front and back of the pants.
Step 9 Wear!
To put on the pants, take the ties in the back and tie them around to the front. Then, take the ties in the front and tie them around to the back.
Tips
- Sew with a piece of scrap fabric, or fabric you don't care for as much first. That way, if you make a mistake, you won't feel as bad about it, since it was only practice.
- Select fabric that is comfortable!
- Knits, like tee-shirt material, make good relaxing pants
- Sturdier fabric, like cotton, will make more formal straight hanging pants.
- Heavy material, like twill and denim, are probably not the best choices, since these pants are made to be tied, not buttoned.
- If you get frustrated, take a break, and do something else. You can always come back with a fresh look on things, and finish your pants successfully.
Things You'll Need
- About a yard and a half of fabric, depending on your size.
- Scissors
- Sewing machine
- Measuring tape
- (optional) ribbon or ties
- (optional) marking pencil
