Boys' Reversible Cuff Pants

Brooks was feeling kind of left-out in the sewing rotation, so here's my latest sewing project for boys-- the Reversible 'Raffe Pants, a reversible cuffed pant that should last him awhile!  Have I mentioned how much I love clothes that can be worn for longer than a few months (or even years)?  I do.  Love them, that is.  With the cuffs, the length on these pants are easily adjustable, so as long as you make the waist wide enough, Little Man can sport them for quite some time.  Woohoo!

 The whole family is going to the zoo soon, so the kids (naturally!) need to be dressed appropriately.  Brooks got some 'raffe pants that can also turn into joker-esque pants. :)

Materials:
1/2 yard of two coordinating fabrics (for size 6-12 months)
1/2 inch elastic
sewing stuff

Instructions:

Create your pattern off of a pair of well fitting pants.  Trace, leaving 1/2 inch for seam allowance.  Also extend your leg down 3.5 extra inches. 

Your back crotch line will be deeper than the front.  See-- here's the pattern for my back pieces and the fabric is cut for my front piece.  Make sense?

 

I cut through four layers of fabric at one time by folding them both in half.  I'm all about efficiency. :)  Here's the selvedges, too, in case you dig the fabric.

Pin the back pieces (of the same fabric) together and sew the crotch.  Do the same with the front pieces.

Then pin and sew the outer seam and the inseam of the legs.

You'll have two pairs of pants now.  Flip one right side out and stuff it (nicely) inside the other pants.  Pin and stitch at the waistline.

When you open it up, you'll have this, which is kind of funny, right?

Turn one side inside the other and press the waistline.

Stitch all the way around the waist, using a 3/4 inch seam allowance.  I used contrasting thread.  Bold, eh?

Now pick either side of your back seam, in between the top of the pants and what you just sewed.  Thread your elastic through.  

Stitch up the elastic, then blind stitch that seam shut.  I also ran two straight lines of stitches down the back to give it a "tag" of sorts, so I could easily find the back when putting the pants on.

Move on to those pant legs.  Press both into the center, 1/4 inch.

Pin in place.

 Topstitch as close to the edge as you can get.

You're done!  Brilliant!

 I think Brooks will easily turn a few giraffe heads. :)

Note: I didn't think it through, but when Brooks wears his pants with the giraffes as the cuffs, those little 'raffes are upside-down.  Oops.  Something to consider when making these!