3/4 pants - A knit version

Here's the knit version.  

This one looks more like a bermuda. The knit is jersey knit with small pink star print that I got also from Spotlight. Like I've shared in my last post, I use ballpoint needle to sew the knit.  At the side seams and hem, I use twin needles so that i have 2 rows of stitches without the need to sew twice! Real neat.

For this pants, I increase the seam allowance at waistband to 4" so that I can fold over 2" to make the waistband.  Just sew normally and fold over 2", press with iron and then insert the elastic band loop under the fold. Adjust and pin in place so that the loop are evenly distributed in the fold.  Pull the elastic and sew close to the waistband all around.  [Sorry, don't have any photo on this as I was in hurry to finish]

For the other one for my second girl, I've slimmed down the template so that it will become more of a tights than a loose fitting pants.  Same as the sister's, I've increase the seam allowance above the waistband for the elastic band. 

She loves her pants and I'm so so happy! Nothing beats having your kids wearing the clothes that you sew, a testimony that it's wearable and the fit is right : P

Next up in my post will be some Tops..

Knit Waistband Pants

Okay, once I got into the mood, it's hard for me to stop since I already got the paper template cut out for my girls, I could use them to make some more right?

So, I cut out some cute mushroom print cotton fabric that I got from Chinatown.  That's when I decided to do something different for the waistband.  Usually I did the normal ones with the inserted elastic band after I've sewn up the waistband but then I wanted a smooth waistband that will not bunch up when worn. Something that I seen on store bought running pants.  

This is the first time I mix knit with cotton. So, it was a bit scary at first.  When you are using knit, be sure to use Ballpoint or Jersey needle suitable for sewing knits.  Sometimes I use twin needles like the last time I sew up the top for the KCWC.  

I used Lier's tutorial on how to sew the smooth knit waistband to guide me.  Her instruction is really clear and informative. I use ribbed knit for the waistband as I've got some on hand from Spotlight.  Only got this muted blue so don't mind if the color don't match with the brown mushroom print pants! Just follow Lier's tutorial and cut out the length required and sew on the waistband.

From this...

... to This!

A closer look at the knit waistband...so smooth....

It was really easy and I went ahead to make one more for my older girl. So addictive you know.  This one is floral print corduroy that I got from spotlight. So pretty!

To help the girls or the father, I sew the label at the front bottom of the pants leg so that they know which is the front and back! I mean the back has more room/ease around the bump but my girl couldn't seem to see the difference until she got the pants on!

I actually also sewn up 2 more knit pants using the same template but I'll share more in my next post!

3/4 Pants - A tutorial

My elder girl had recently learnt to ride her new 2 wheels bike and I realized that she didn't had a lot of loose pants that will not restrict her movement on the bike. So I thought I'll just sew her some to supplement her wardrobe.  

This 3/4 pants is really easy to make and all in all, it took me just 2 hours and I didn't use much fabric. Just some left over fabric that I had at home.  

Measurement

To make this, find a pants that fits your child and trace the front and back.  You need 2 pieces of the front and 2 pieces of the back. Note that the front waist length will be slightly shorter than the back piece. The length of the pants will fall just at the knee length so just take the measurement from your kids and you are good to go.  Remember to add seam allowance of 3.8" all around except the hem, I use 2".

2 pieces of front (left) and 2 pieces of back (right)

Instruction

1. Place one piece of front and one piece of the back piece, right side facing, and sew the side seams.  Serge or zig zag the side seams. Do the same for the other pieces of front and back.

2. Press seams towards the back of the pants and top stitch along the side seams using the sewing foot as a guide. Do the same for the other piece.

3. Align and pin the inseams of one pants leg right side together and sew. Serge or zig zag the inseams. Do the same for the other leg piece.

4. Turn one of the leg piece right side out and keep the other piece wrong side out.  

wrong side out (left) and right side out (right)

5. Insert the 'right side out' leg into the other pant leg so that the right sides of the pants face each other inside.  Pin the crotch area.  See photo for illustration.

Sew and serge or zig zag the seams.

6. Turn the pants right side out. Sew 2 rows of stitch along the crotch area using the sewing foot as a guide. Go slow so that you don't accidentally sew the other side of the pants. This is for decorative purpose so you can skip this if you want.

7. To prepare for the waistband and hem, I serge the waist area and hem first.

8. Fold in 0.5" of the hem and press. Then fold in another 1.5" and press. Sew 2 rows of stitch around the hem. Make sure that both pants leg are of the same length else it will look very obvious.

9. For the waistband, I've this beautiful elastic band that I bought from the Textile Centre but have not found the use for it. The color simply match the pants and added the nice color to it. The method is the same as how I sew the circle skirt. 

10. Sew the short ends of the elastic band right side together so that it become a loop.  Then attach the band to the waist area of the pants. Pin the front centre, back centre, 2 sides of the pants to the elastic band. Then, pull as you sew so that it will gather nicely around the waist.

Enjoy the pants!

Birthday Shorts

Both my best friend and husband have their birthday in November, just 2 days apart.

I made a pair of shorts for my husband. Singapore is hot and humid all year round and my husband really loves to wear 3/4 pants.  Since I'm not sure which one he prefers, I made 2! One with Blue as the main color and the other with the leaf print as the main.

Added pockets for both. I cut the pattern from one of his existing shorts and made these with elastic bands.

He loves the leaf print version better. Said the blue is too striking but he'll still wear them, at home : P

KCWC Day 7

The final day of the KCWC. It was indeed very fulfilling, but tiring as well. I was glad I had plan well and made my preparation work last week else I'll not be able to complete all my projects.

The last KCWC, I've made a shorts for my girl. It has pocket with flaps and buttons and elastic waistband.

front view

back view

close up on the pocket flap

I especially like the pockets with the flap and shiny buttons.  It was made using the leftover suiting fabric from my top.  So I didn't have enough fabric and I skipped the additional hem details and used another cotton fabric at the inner waistband to make up for it. Anyway, it still looks good. : )

I followed the pattern from this Japanese book (as you can see, it is my favorite for kids clothes).

This pattern specifically...

I'll try to take photos of my kids wearing the 7 clothes in my next post, hopefully they will cooperate.  Really enjoyed the KCWC and glad that I join in the fun and challenge. I'm a better planned sewer now, I think : )

Baby Bloomer and pants

When I did the pajama pants for my elder girl, I decided to make some pants for the younger toddler. Since I've 2 kids, I always try to be fair and make things for both. Well, it's nice to see them excited about wearing clothes that mummy sew.

As a no. 2, she has lots of hand-me-down from her bigger sister and my friends whose girls have outgrown their clothes. So, she has lots of pants but not alot of diaper covers or bloomers. I decided to make one, copied from an existing one that she already has. Bloomer is a short pants that has elastic band at the waist and leg opening and usually it's around the knee area. It'll compliment the tops that she has.

It's really easy if you are comfortable with sewing with thin strip of elastic bands. Ready to try?

Measurement
For a tall 18 month toddler
Waist = 16" (included diaper allowance)
Length from waist to crotch = 10"
Width of leg opening = 12"

Materials
Light cotton fabric
0.25" width elastic for waist area (16" long)
0.25" width elastic for leg area (2 pc of 10" each)

Cutting Instruction
1. Fold the fabric Right Side Together and cut out 2 folded rectangle of 9" X 12.75". [note, when you open out the rectangle, it should fully measure 18" X 12.75"].

2. Then cut off a triangle at the bottom corner of the fabric that is 2" by 2" to make the crotch. Do the same for the other piece.

Sewing Instruction
1. Sew the crotch area together, Right Side Facing, starting from the middle and down to the bottom, using 3/8" seam allowance. Do the same for the other piece.

2. Serge the crotch seams individually as well as the leg holes.  Press open the seams.

3. Fold up 0.25"of the leg hole and press.  Sew close to the edge.

4. Pin the 10" elastic band round the leg hole starting from the inseam area, about 0.5" away from the edge of the hem.

First, put the needle down at the beginning of the elastic band and then pull the band taut. Pull and sew as you go round the leg hole. Make sure that your batch stitch when you sew and back stitch again when you end.  Do the same for the other leg hole.

5. Turn one piece Right Side In and the other Right Side Out. Put the Right Side Out piece into the Right Side In piece, align seams. That means, Right Side of both pieces face each other.

6. Pin and sew the inseams together. Turn it Right Side out and you have your bloomer!

7. For the elastic band waist, serge the waist band and fold in 0.5".  Press and sew a straight stitch around the waist near the edge, leaving 1" gap for inserting of elastic band.

8. Overlap 0.5"of the band and do a zig zag stitch to close the elastic band.

9. Push the band back in to the waist band and pull it taut. Sew the gap close and you have your bloomer!


By the way, I sew her a pants too. But, it didn't fit my girl so I gave it to my friend's baby boy. It's a bit long but size should fit eventually. The fabric is from Spotlight. Looks so cute for a boy don't you think?

Kid's Pajama Pants

Recently I notice that the pajama pants are getting shorter on my daugther. Or rather, my girl has grown up so fast that her pant is like 3/4 pant handling just below her knee. I felt so sorry and bad that I didn't realised that she needed new pajama pants. Her top still fits so I thought I could make her a quick pants.

And I got just the right fabric for making one. : ) It's Michael Miller Sihouette Kids Double Border fabric that I got on sale from Fabric.com. The sihouette of girls playing on the bottom of the panel makes it just nice as the pant's bottom print!

Measurement
I couldn't take her measurement as she was in school so I took her shortie pajama pants and extend the length. She is a tall 6 year old.  You can do the same as me or just take my measurement.

Length = 26" long. 
Waist = 23" [I make it real comfortable and gave her a bigger ease at the waist of +1"]
Width of leg hole = 6.5"each.
Seam allowance 3/8"

Material
1.5 yard of cotton fabric [with interesting print at leg area will be fun!]
24" elastic band of 0.5" wide

Cutting Instruction
You can refer to the internet for various free pattern or just trace an old pair of pants like me.  After you have the pattern pieces, place them on the fabric at fold so that you have 2 pieces.  Or you can cut out 2 front and 2 back pieces based on Dana's pants tutorial.

Just note that when you are cutting print with lines or checked, you need to make sure that both sides are the same level/height on both leg pieces. So, you can cut the fabric with right side facing up for ease of comparison.

Sewing Instruction
For this pant, I've serged the crotch area (under the pants bottom) for both pieces first or you can sew first and then serge. It's up to you.

1. Fold each of the leg piece together, right side facing. Align side seams and pin the inseam under the crotch area together. 

 Start sewing from near the crotch and all the way down to the hem.

Iron seam open and serge the seam separately.  Do the same for the other piece.

2. Turn one of the piece Right Side Out and leave the other Wrong Side Out.

 Insert the Right Side Out piece into the Wrong Side Out piece, align inseam and crotch.

Pin in place around the crotch area.

3. Sew the crotch area together with the 2 pieces right side facing.  If you have not serged/zig zaged the seam earlier, you can serge or do zig-zag stitches now.  

Turn the legs out and you can see a glimpse of the new pants.

4. To make the waist band, fold in 1" to the Wrong Side of pants and press. Serge/zig zag the waist edges.  

Sew around the waist band near the serged edge, leaving a 2" opening for inserting of elastic band.  Pin 2 pins to help you identify the start and end of your stitches.  You can insert the label if you want at the back of the waistband. I didn't insert as it may be too scratchy for my girl.

5. Pin a safety pin through one end of the elastic band and insert through the opening. Take care not to let the other end goes in as well. Making sure that the band is not twisted, overlapped by 0.5" and sew a zig zag stitch to close the band.

6. Pull the waist band back into the waistband and straighten with both hands, and sew the opening close with straight stitch.

7. Next, to hem the pants. I've used the selvage of the fabric on the hem so I didn't need to serge the hem.  Fold in 0.25" and press.

Sew all around the leg holes.  Here, I insert the label infront of the leg.

I've sewn double lines

Label at front leg to help her identify the front of the pants!

Your new pants! Love the panel print at the leg area : )

back view