How To Sew Pants

Sewing pants is regarded as one of the most complicated garments to create and therefore is only attempted by skilled sewers.

However, you might be surprised to learn that making a pair of straight-legged pants from scratch is rather simple if you follow instructions correctly.

How amazing would it be to step out in front of your friends, family, and peers and have them praise how good you look in a pair of pants that you made yourself?

This dream isn’t as difficult to make into a reality as you might think.

Today we’re going to be looking at how to sew pants.

You’re going to need a few materials and pieces of equipment to get you started, so make sure that you collect all of these bits before skipping to the pattern.

Let’s get sewing, shall we?

Equipment You’ll Need

You will need either a sewing machine or a sewing kit to create your pants.

A sewing machine will be faster and more efficient, but you might prefer to take more time on your pants with a sewing kit.

Only use a sewing machine if you know how to use one properly. Otherwise, you might waste fabric and supplies on subpar pants.

You’ll also need some sewing chalk, fabric scissors, and a measuring tape. If you don’t have any chalk you can use a fabric pen or a pencil on the inside of the pants.

Fabric scissors are much easier to use than normal scissors and they will give you a cleaner cut. Make sure your measuring tape is made for sewing purposes rather than for DIY projects.

Choosing the Right Material

What you want your pants for will determine which material you should use to make them.

Linen or cotton are excellent materials to start with if you don’t want to spend too much money on your first attempt.

However, you can opt for any kind of fabric that is soft enough to be worn for a prolonged period of time. Just make sure that it’s not transparent!

Once you’ve picked out your fabric, make sure that you have two pieces of fabric that are wider and taller than an existing pair of pants that you already have.

The fabric should be five inches longer and two inches wider than your current pants. Keep the existing pants near to you so that you can refer back to them during the making process.

You’ll also need a roll of elastic or a drawstring to keep the pants around your waist.

Step by Step Sewn Pants Pattern

Step 1: Use the Existing Pants

Take your pants and fold them down the middle and pull out the crotch so they lay perfectly flat on the floor.

You want no creases or folds. You should be left with what looks like half a pair of pants lying on the floor or table.

Take one sheet of your fabric and fold it in half so that the inside is facing out. Lay this down next to your folded pants and carefully transfer the pants on top of the fabric.

To make it easier make sure that the edge of the pants is aligned with the edge of your fabric.

Step 2: Trace an Outline

Use your sewing chalk or fabric pen to trace the shape of your pants onto the fabric.

Give yourself ½ an inch between your line and the pants. Above the waist and below the ankles you should leave 2 inches.

You will use this additional fabric during the hemming process.

Repeat on the other sheet of fabric to make the other side of your pants. Use your fabric scissors to cut along the line and remove the unused fabric.

Remember not to cut along the fold of the fabric.

Step 3: Get the Sewing Kit Out

Keep the pieces of fabric folded with the inside facing out.

Take your needle and thread and begin stitching from the crotch to the ankle on both pieces of fabric. Once you’ve stitched a line down the pant leg, go back and do it again but this time with a zig-zag stitch.

This is going to add to an already time-consuming process but it will serve you better in the long run. Your stitching won’t unravel as easily if you secure it with second stitching. Now that you have two pant legs, you need to fix them together.

Lay the two legs together to make them look like a pair of pants. You will now have to sew up from the crotch to the waistband.

Stitch both the front and back of the pants and zig-zag stitch the raw hems again.

Step 4: Pull Your Pants Up! 

You’re going to need something to help you keep the pants from falling off your waist every time you walk.

Measure your waist with elastic and cut it to size. Zig-zag sew the raw hem of the waistline and fold it down two inches. Straight sew the hem down all the way around the waistline but leaving a small gap for the elastic.

Thread the elastic into the waistband ensuring that it remains flat for maximum comfort.

Stitch the elastic together thoroughly so it doesn’t come undone and then straight stitch the rest of the waistline so that there is no hole.

Step 5: Ankles and Finishing Touches

Zig-zag the hems of both ankles and fold them to the desired length of your pants.

Straight stitch them making sure that the pant legs are of equal length. Turn the pants inside out and admire your handiwork  - you’ve just sewn a pair of pants!

Now is the time to try them on and see if they fit or not. This is a basic pattern for pants but it can be a stepping stone for the next pair you make.

Good luck, we hope that you found use from our guide, and we can’t wait to see you out in your new, completely unique attire!