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6.09.2008

happy bum pants from sleeves

A quick pair of pants to make for baby or toddler using the sleeves of a long sleeve tee shirt. The bum panel allows extra room for the diaper bum, and can be made even roomier for the cloth diaper set.

You need a long sleeve tee that has already finished its tour of duty in your closet for the pant legs and front portion (I used a ladies L). The sleeve seams will form the leg seams of the pants and the wrist openings will become the ankle openings. Additional fabric will be needed for the bum panel, from either the same tee, another tee, or any lightweight knit fabric. You will also need some ½” elastic for the waistband.
Begin with measuring the wee one from ankle to waist. Add 2” to this measurement for the pant’s waistband.
Measure from ankle to crotch. Add ¼” to this measurement for a seam allowance.
Measure waist. Subtract 3” for waistband elastic.

Take the long sleeve tee and cut the sleeves straight across at the longer measurement mark (ankle to waist). Next, cut off the seam from the shirt above the shorter measurement mark (ankle to crotch). This will give you two pant legs, with the shirt seams becoming the leg seams. Turn one pant leg inside out. Insert the right side out pant leg into the wrong side out pant leg (they will be end up right sides together and seams aligned).Sew one half of the pants opening, from waistline to crotch (where the existing shirt seams are). Lay the pants down with the unsewn half of the pants opening (the bum area) up. Cut from the crotch (but careful not to cut your newly sewn seam) to the waistband in a wonky wedge shape (sorry for the tech jargon ;D). This is where you are going to add extra room and sew in the bum panel. Use the cut wonky wedge as a guide to cut a wider wonky edge, a.k.a., the bum panel. Place the longer straight edge of the wedge on a folded edge of the bum panel fabric. Open up the pants wrong sides out. Align the mid point of the bum panel with the leg seams (right sides together). Pin in the bum panel. To avoid awkwardly stretching the panel while sewing, sew the panel in by beginning at the crotch and stitching towards to the waist (repeat for other side). Fold the waistband down 1” and stitch to create a casing for the waistband elastic, leaving about 1” open to insert the elastic. Thread the elastic through and sew elastic closed. Finish the casing seam.

That should do ‘er. The only thing left is to embellish your baby’s butt. I used a no-sew bonding paper to attach my appliqué, but, really, anything that will be comfortable for baby is fair game. Have fun with your happy bum pants :) Oh, wait! Whaddya think of the fancy smancy illustrations? Good? Clear? Or are they more confusing than photos?

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This is a free tutorial and I encourage you to use the information in any way you need to (check the disclaimer at the bottom of the page). If it works for you, please consider supporting my etsy shop by purchasing a Little Print Design pattern or toss a dollar or two in my paypal to show appreciation and to encourage me to offer up even more quality patterns and tutorials.






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23 comments:

  1. I love this idea and the pictures are very clear. Now I just need to find some shirts!

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  2. Those are such cute little pants, and great job on the illustrations!

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  3. ohhhh too cute.... I luv it. thanx

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  4. If you use cloth diapers, this is a great way to make soakers with thrifted wool sweaters that have been felted :)

    Love the illustrations!

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  5. thanks all! yay, you like my drawerings!

    Lisa, thank you - I am def doing that :)

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  6. Thank you for sharing all these great tutorials, they are really wonderful. And this pair of baby pant is really super cute! :)

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  7. Great tutorial!! Thanks!! Will be perfect for the big cloth diapered bottom!

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  8. These are adorable and so much better (instructions especially) than the ones I made a few months ago. Can't wait to try this pattern :)
    Kristin

    http://homegrownrose.typepad.com/reclaimingthehome/

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  9. I did not know about your site! Yay, I can come here for your tutorials! They're always really easy to follow and your creations are beautiful (yes, your clothes and your children :))

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  10. What a great idea. I have a bunch of flannel PJ tops that I never wear and was going to try and make PJ bottoms for my daughter, now all the work is done for me!!

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  11. your blog has just become my very favorite! I am not a great seamstress, but these patterns I can follow and make clothes for my children!!! thank you for sharing

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  12. Wow, those are brilliant! I'm all about reusing old stuff to make something new and cool. Definitely gonna have to try this. Now to get a baby...

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  13. Love how you have juxtaposed the apron with the recipe . . . in many cases, they must go together! ;-)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  14. I think the illustrations are great! What a cute idea !! I LOVE your blog. I stumbled upon your "pointy hooded shirty thingy" (can't remember if those were the exact words) on craftster and had to visit. Are you planning a tutorial for that project? I'd love to make one for my little girl! :) Keep up the great work!

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  15. ah, the pointy hooded shirty thingee... never did get that one down right. If I do, though, I'll definitely share :)

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  16. Thank you so much for the marvelous illustrations. I am a new sewer and I was having a difficult time understanding how to sew the crotch of my pants. It all of a sudden "clicked". Many thanks!

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  18. I made two pairs of pants today using this tute... terrific! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Argh! I wish my baby would hurry up and be born so I can decorate her bum! Actually, I take that back - she needs 3 more months to grow and I need 3 more months to get ready for her.

    I love your tutorials! They are so easy to understand, and fun to try! I think it's very sweet that you let people use your patterns however they please (I get tired of seeing crafters take, take, take ideas that have been handed down from others and then viciously try to claim them as their own. We are ALL building on the knowledge of others and growing together, which is good and fun! It's not supposed to be a cutthroat war, is it?) Anyway, Kudos to you for your great attitude and skills!

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  20. Cute, cute, cute!

    Why oh why didn't I get the sewing gene? lol

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  21. I know this post has been around a while, but I just found it thanks to Pinterest, and just *had* to make these for my Little Man. Thank you for this tutorial! I'm thrilled with how mine came out!

    http://scrivnerburg.blogspot.com/2012/03/cutie-patootie-bahootie.html

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  22. Please consider to put a demo at YouTube it will be great for beginners like myself

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