Thursday, May 3, 2012

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!


20 comments:

  1. Love it! And he's such a cutie!

    I really need to make some of these. I feel so bad that my son can hardly ever wear any cute pants because he's so long and skinny. It would be perfect to make some that actually fit!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! I think he's pretty darn cute, too! :) There are definitely huge pluses to making your own pants. With Riley, I have to cinch those storebought pants in a crazy amount! Sounds like you probably have the same problem!

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  2. He is such a cute - and the pants are a great idea too!

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  3. You did such a cute job! I'm loving that fabric too. Where did you find it? I just found you blog over at sew much ado and I love what you've got. I'm a newbie sewer, so when I find other sewers, I like to "hang out". I'm your newest follower and I'd love for you to come and check me out too.

    Take care,
    Jen
    sunnyvanilla.blogpspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I got the fabric at fabric.com. Isn't it great??

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  4. You're going to be featured tomorrow!
    www.raisingoranges.blogspot.com

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  5. This is a great tutorial and that little boy is ADORABLE!! I would LOVE to have you share this at my link party and even enter the giveaway! I am your newest GFC follower and I would LOVE to have you take a peak at my place too!!

    http://www.pincushioncreations.com/2012/05/homemade-by-you-11-giveaway.html

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  6. So stinking cute! (both the pants and your little pan!). The fabric is particularly cute. I think its so fun that you made something special for a zoo visit.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks! Now we just have to hope that the rain holds off tomorrow!! :)

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  7. Replies
    1. Thanks, Jen! And the other bonus? No zig-zag stitching since all the seams are hidden! :)

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  8. Hello, my name is Jennifer and I have shared this post over at my blog eatcraftsow.blogpost.com. Please let me know if there is anything you wish for me to remove. Have a great day!!!!

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    Replies
    1. That's great! Thanks for the shout-out!! I'm honored! And that giraffe fabric is just so fun, isn't it??

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  9. Kids grow out of their clothes so fast, a big cute cuff is a great idea. Love that they are reversible! Thanks for linking them up to A Crafty Soiree. They'll be featured in the newest one, up tonight after midnight.

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  10. This is so cute! And I love the cuff since my daughter seems to grow taller much before she grows thicker. ;-) I would love for you to link this to my link party! I know my readers will love it too. http://weliketolearnaswego.blogspot.com/2012/05/what-i-learned-wednesday-10.html

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  11. This is awesome, you have great talent!I would love to try something like this.
    try my blog also http://blissfulsewing.blogspot.com/

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  12. Thanks for linking up! I'm featuring this tomorrow!

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  13. As a total new it to sewing.....can I ask how when you,trace your old pair to get the pattern....how do you get the different shapes for front and back?

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  14. Your child will be snug and comfortable with our selection of kid Joggers. We carry a range of many different colours, such as black joggers for boys that they can make use from, grey joggers and boys' Khaki and joggers. If you're looking for something different consider investing in our patterns Joggers that feature stripes, slogans as well as camo prints and more? There are multipacks that include a variety of kinds of joggers, and fill with your child's casual clothing in one shot.
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I love comments more than I love buying new fabric, and that's saying something. :)