There are some inevitable truths in my life which I’ve come to accept. One of which being that my hips will NEVER be the same width as they were before having a kid. I finally decided to part with some of my old favorite pants but instead of saying goodbye forever, I repurposed them into drawstring cargo pants for Samster…
I know I say this a lot but I SWEAR, this is SO easy!!! The secret is because you’re using a pair of finished pants you save yourself of ton of sewing time by using the finished hems & drawstring of your pants. Let me show you…

First off to make your baby pants pattern pieces you’ll be using the bottoms half of your pants. Lay out a pair of your child’s pants which you like the length and fit of so it looks like the picture below:Next you’ll cut along the baby pants leg + 1/2″ for seam allowance all the way up to the crotch. You can also cut your pants 1 & 1/2″ above the baby pant’s waistband, here’s what you should end up with:If you want to make these more fitted you can make a cut like I did below from the crotch to the waistline, otherwise leave it alone, you’ll just end up with more fabric to gather with the elastic & drawstring but that’s also gives you room to grow.Use this piece as a template to cut out the same piece from your other mommy pant leg. (*note-if the outside hem on your pants looks a little different than the inside hem, make sure this is the one you keep on both of your baby pant legs) ALSO this is a good opportunity to trace this piece and you’ll have a custom baby pants pattern on hand at all times!

With pieces folded right sides together pin the two halves from the crotch to waistline, stitch using a small zigzag for durability being sure to backstitch at beginning and end.

Next pin the inside of the legs like the picture below and stitch this line leaving a 1/4″ seam allowanceNow it’s time for the waistband…

First press a fold a 1/4″ in around the entire waistline, then fold again 1″ in & press this line.

This next step is basically all you need to do to have a cute drawstring in addition to the elastic waistband we’ll put in, if you don’t want this however just skip this step…

Using the drawstring from your mommy pants as a guide you’ll want to make dots for the how big the buttonhole openings need to be:
Now stitch these dots as if you were making buttonholes, be careful to open up the waistband & ONLY stitch through the outside of the waistband! Use something sharp, I use an exacto knife, to cut open the space between the stitches. (careful not to cut your threads)Almost done! Following the bottom of the waistline casing, stitch around the circumference but leave a 1 in opening in the back of the pants.

Next cut a piece of elastic the size of your child’s waistline, (Ex: 12 mths = 18″) attach a safety pin to one end (to give you something to hold on to) and thread the elastic through the opening you left and around the entire waistline. Once you get the elastic all the way around stitch the two ends together very well, you’ve basically created a solid circle of elastic around the waist. For the drawstring thread through with a safety pin as you did with the elastic, in order to preserve the finished end of the drawstring pull it back through the opening in the back of the pants until you get the length you want, trim off excess and then stitch the ends back together. Sew shut casing opening & you’re done!!!

Embellishments:
I think it’d be super cute to add colorful buttons, embroidery or patches to these pants. Samster needed a pair of basics that would match everything so I stuck with basic cargo pockets but added bows to cut down on the boyishness. (FYI- I didn’t decide until the last minute to add pockets but if I had planned ahead like a smart little seamstress I would’ve added these BEFORE sewing up the pants)

To make pockets I simply cut it out from leftover finished hem pieces of the mommy pants, pressed down the edges, stitched on a bow from leftover drawstring & topstitched it all onto the pants, wah-lah!
Please let me know if you make these, I’d LOVE to see pics!!!

Also tomorrow I’ll post my mom’s recipe for garlic lemon chicken wings and I HAVE to tell you about my dirty diaper eating golden retriever. EW. I just realized I should never mention those in the same sentence again.

Inspired? Share the Love...

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

Google+