My pattern is based on a 3T/4T sizing.. you can always adjust the length of the legs to make the pants shorter or longer.. and shrink or enlarge the pattern to suit the size you are going for. For the most part since these are knit pants with an elastic band the sizing is flexible.
you'll need:
one men's t-shirt
cotton ribbing for the waistband
non-roll elastic
one yard of jersey knit fabric for the legs
twine for the lettering
thread
sewing machine
serger (optional)
download and print the pattern here- pattern gathered pant
**please note that I'm happy to share this pattern and design with you for personal use only.. thank you. OK lets get started!
start by cutting out the pattern pieces I cut mine from a old men's tshirt - 2 each
cut waistband from cotton ribbing 1- 5 x 28 inches .. this may end up being a bit long.. but I like to be generous with my cuts since you can always trim it down
cut legs - 2 - 15 x 30 inches
**I will mostly be using a serger in these directions.. but you can use your sewing machine as well.. using a strait stitch and then go along the edges with a zigzag stitch.
first take the back inside of the pattern pieces you cut right sides together and serge long ends together.. do the same for the front pieces.
now that both front and back pattern pieces are joined.. pin together both pieces at the crotch area, right sides together.. then serge
match up the sides.. and serge.. when you are done with this step you will have a pair of knit shorts.
next take the 2 leg pieces.. taking the long 30 inch side.. use your sewing machine to sew a basting stitch.. this will allow you to easily gather the leg. before you gather mark the middle of the leg with a pin. pull one thread on the end and your leg will begin to gather.
find the middle of the shorts you have already sewn.. and place right sides together and pin. mske sure he middle of the leg that you have previously pinned match with the outer seam of the shorts.
once everthing is pinned together you can serge the legth of the leg.. you can also do this before pinning everything together..
using a strait stitch on your sewing machine .. start to stitch the legs and shorts together.. slowly removing the pins as you sew.
press and fold under the waist of the pants, about 2 inches and stitch.
take your cotton ribbing and serge the ends.. press in half lengthwise, fold and pin over waistline and stitch together.
once your ribbed waistband is attached to the pants, take your elastic piece and pin a safety pin to the end.. this will help you feed the elastic through the waistband of the pants.
feed all the way around the pant.. pinning the elastic together.. I always like to leave excess elastic so that i I'm able to adjust the sizing later on if need be..
using a zig zag stitch on your sewing machine.. stitch the elastic together and insert it all into the waistband and handstitch the opening closed.
using twine handstitch with matching thread your word.. I stitched the word "love" freehand.
the last step is to finish off the bottom of the legs using a rolled hem on your serger. and you're done!
hope you enjoy this pattern!
Comments