The following sewing tips can be used to make a pair of elastic-waist pants.Making your own pants is a lot of fun, as it allows you to modify the length and fit of your pants, and create items you can't find in stores.You can make a pair of pants in a couple of hours.Modifications can be made to the following directions to make a pair of shorts.
Step 1: There is a sewing pattern for basic elastic-waist pants.
Pull-on pants and a pattern with no pockets are what you should look for.The ideal patterns can be found in the pants and skirts, sleepwear, and men's underwear sections of most pattern catalogs.
Step 2: Pick a fabric for your pants.
Recommendations on the type and amount of fabric will be included in the pattern envelope.Employees of the fabric store are happy to make recommendations.Pick a fabric that is easy to work with.It is easier to work with fabrics without a lot of stretch.A flannel or cotton print is a great choice for pants.The care instructions will be printed on the end of the fabric bolt.
Step 3: Purchase the fabric and notions you need to complete your project.
On the pattern envelope, these will be specified.Depending on the width of the fabric, you will need between 2.5 to 3 yards.Purchase thread that is compatible with your fabric.There is a variety marked "all purpose" or "sew-all."Purchase a package of elastic.
Step 4: You should prewash your fabric.
It is important to wash the fabric before cutting and sewing to remove excess dye and shrink it.To avoid staining your clothes, prewash new fabric separately from other garments.Before washing, machine sew 1/2 away from the edges of the fabric to prevent it from unraveling.The care instructions say to wash and dry the fabric.Machine wash cotton fabrics in warm water using your normal detergent and then dry on high.
Step 5: While the fabric is being laundered, get ready to sew.
The construction of the pants will be a breeze if you have your materials ready and your sewing station set up.The instructions are in the envelope.Load the bobbin with the thread you want to use.Prepare an ironing surface by setting up your ironing board.To iron on in a pinch, you can lay out several layers of towels on the floor or table.The pattern and fabric should be prepared for cutting.Remember that scissors can leave dents on wooden surfaces, so you may want to use a sheet of cardboard or a tablecloth to protect your dining room table.
Step 6: The pattern should be cut out.
The "front" and "back" leg pieces should be in your pants pattern.Follow the lines to cut out the pattern pieces.If the tissue paper pattern is wrinkled or creased, you can iron it with a dry iron on low heat to smooth it out before cutting.Diamonds or triangle tabs on the edge of the pattern will be used later to match up pieces of fabric.Don't cut them off.
Step 7: Make sure the fabric is flat on your cutting surface by ironing it.
Step 8: The pattern pieces should be placed on top of the fabric on the cutting surface according to the directions.
You should fold the fabric in half before cutting it.You end up cutting out two pieces of cloth at the same time, one for each leg.
Step 9: If you need to keep the pattern securely attached, pin the paper to the fabric with straight pins.
If your fabric is doubled up, make sure the pins go through both layers.
Step 10: Use a pair of scissors to cut out the fabric.
Cut through both layers of fabric at the same time, and be sure to mark the diamonds on the pattern paper.
Step 11: The pins are in the cut pieces.
You should get two fronts and two backs for each pant leg.
Step 12: Attach the piece of elastic to the waistband.
Measure your waist using a tape measure, then cut a piece of elastic that is 1 inch longer than this length.
Step 13: Pin the pieces together.
Put the front and back legs together with the right side facing.The side that is worn outside the body is the "right" side of the fabric.People will see that part.Pin the inside and outside seams together.Make sure to pin up both legs before you start sewing.There are two inside-out fabric tubes that are mirror images of one another.
Step 14: To sew up each pant leg, use a straight stitch from the edge of the fabric.
First, sew the outer seam of the pant leg.The inner seam of each pant leg should be sewed.You could either sew one leg up completely or do the other.
Step 15: Put your iron on the seams and remove the pins.
It's important that the two legs can be joined together smoothly, and that you don't create awkward twists at the seams.
Step 16: The pant legs should be joined together.
Put the pant leg into the other so that the right sides of the fabric are touching.Make sure the crotch seam of the two pant legs are aligned by pinning it together.The crotch seam is similar to a "U" in shape.
Step 17: To sew the crotch seam, use a straight stitch.
Adding a second row of stitching away from the first will give you extra strength.
Step 18: Press the crotch seam open as you turn the pants inside out.
You're almost done with your pants.
Step 19: The elastic should be at the top of the pants.
If you want to fold the top of the pants down, you have to press again.Stitch from the bottom of the case all the way around the pants, leaving a gap for the elastic.
Step 20: The elastic has to be inserted into the case.
Attach a large safety pin to one end of the elastic and use this to thread it into the case you made for the pants.The Bodkin can be used for this task.Using a zig-zag stitch, Stitch the ends of the elastic together.Make sure you don't have any twists in your elastic.You need to sew the gap between the elastic and the waistband.
Step 21: He's wearing the pants.
Try on the pants to see how long you want them to be.A helpers at this stage can be very useful.If you want to mark the length of the pants, use pins or a marker.If the unfinished pants are more than an inch longer than you want them to be, trim off the excess material at the bottom.Place the bottom of each pant leg over the other and press again.Pin the hems and sew from the bottom of the pants.The pants should be inside out for this step.
Step 22: You should wear your new pants.
Before putting the pants on, be sure to remove all the pins.