First, I’ll give credit where it’s due:
The author of redcurrent.com gave a clear tutorial for how to make these toddler pants, and the author of tinyhappy displayed inspiring before and after pictures of her tshirts made into pants.
Now, let’s celebrate my success, people. I took this long-sleeved t-shirt belonging to Ryan, and while Julian was asleep, I cut the two required pieces to make pants. About 5 minutes. It’s just a left leg and a right leg. Then, I sewed them together. Now ten minutes have passed. The kid was still sleeping! Then, Heather and Holden came over. Julian woke up, and while the boys wreaked havoc in my bedroom, tossing plastic shovels, cotton balls and Cheerios this way and that, Heather made 75% of a pair of lounge pants for Holden while I coached her and wrangled her baby. Sure, he had to sit in the Pack and Play for a few minutes, but we had a good time. Later that night, I sewed my elastic waist in. The whole project was about 30 minutes.
The full tutorial is here. If you don’t have the patience for my video, just keep scrolling for the instructions laid out in text.
1. Identify an appropriate t-shirt or sweatshirt.
2. Fold a pair of baby’s pants with crotch sticking out and trace. I have outlined what it should look like for you. With this placement of the cut, you will not need to hem the bottom.
3. Cut on your traced line.
4. Cut a second pant leg from the other side of the shirt. Look for the arrow on the left in this picture to see how I used my first pant leg as a guide.
5. You have two pant legs now, right?
6. Place right sides facing each other and pin. Sew along curves.
7. Reorient the pants and you’ll see that you just have a crotch to sew up and a waist to fold over and sew. Leave a space to thread the elastic through.
8. Insert elastic, sew waist closed, and you are done!
Now you can make simple toddler shorts or pants from a t-shirt. Please share your successes with us!
Other t-shirt projects:
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Here from Balancing Everything. Love this! I wondered why I bothered to pack and move all those t-shirts that I don’t wear. Ta-da. And here I was wondering if I should spend that Carter’s gift certificate on day clothes or jammies. Bah! Now off to search for pj tops to sew. Lalala!
This is just terrific. I gave it a try this morning. I didn’t get it quite right (the pants are a little snug), but it was easy enough that I’ll try it again!
This is totally awesome!
Also, I’m guessing you could use old sweatshirts to make some heftier pants for when the weather is a bit cooler!
I don’t sew, but I’m going next door to borrow my neighbour’s sewing machine!
So I’ve just tried my first pair. But how do you determine the length of elastic to use? I mean, I guess, how do you allow for the scrunch factor?
I’m lost at #6 above. It looks like you sewed down the middle of this, but it just says to sew the curves areas. Also, what does “reorient the pants” mean? Fold it inside out? I haven’t tried this yet, but I am confused as I look at how you got from step 6 to 7. Thanks for any information.
These are totally awesome!! I made my daughter’s from her uncle’s old buttoned shirt and instead of cutting the pieces from the side seams, I cut them from the front and back so I got one side seam (on the pants) from the placket (with the buttons). It adds a nice detail at no extra effort
……I think I am going to go on a pant sewing spree.
Thanks for sharing
thanks, its great idea…………….
Hi!
How do you get to the cut out for the crotch? Seems like that part of the instructions is missing? I am a little confused over this part, can you help?
Found you via a google search and made pants out of a tea towel: http://dollarstorecrafts.com/2009/04/dish-towel-shorts/
This is exactly what I was looking for to make some outside ‘play shorts’ for my 2 year old for the summer. I’ll try to share the finished product!!
THANK YOU! This was so much fun!!! I had bought a pattern for pants earlier today and didn’t understand a word of it! I found this site and ta-da! Pants are done!
Thanks for the tutorial! This is the first thing I have ever sewed that actually turned out right! I can’t wait for the baby to wake up from his nap so he can try these on!!
Just made some pyjama bottoms for my little girl using this method, as she has outgrown the bottoms but not the tops. So quick & easy, and saved me some ££ buying new PJs!! Thanks!
Great tute! Here’s my baby wearing her red hot pants
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/3718225237_20e6456c2f.jpg
I had to do this again! This time I decided to take a hand-me-down onesie and put an applique on it with some baby pants to make a complete outfit. Total cost to me? $0!!!
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3729515080_d859b53f05.jpg
Those are adorable & look super easy! I’ll HAVE to do some of those when I’m done w/my 5 projects currently on the table, LOL
thank you for the tutorial… it’s so quick and easy. and cost next to nothing! i made one for my 2 year old, and she loves it! i will definitely make more.
http://www.avocadolite.com/expiration/archives/002215.shtml
wow! fantastic. you are so creative!- i luv it! im on a little sewing journey, again..well.. i try..every once & awhile.. thanx for sharing this..my little ones are always rough on their clothing.. so this will be great, even for shorts for my 7 year old! Glad to find this on google:)
ha HA!!!!!!! I GET it now!! Thank you SO much for posting the video. I never attempted this project b/c I didn’t understand how you got from sewing along the curves to suddenly having something that looked like pants. I can’t WAIT to try this now!
http://thehargettfamily.blogspot.com/2009/10/bekahs-new-outfit.html
Thanks for the easy tutorial! I used fabric to make a pair, then added an applique to the behind and ruffles to the bottom. Turned out super cute!
Thank you!
thank you! will use this tonight to make pants for a monkey costume.
hello! i made these and they were perfect. you could also use some of the left over fabric form the shirt and sew on a pocket on the back. i also made a scrunchie for my hair i always loose the darn little black ones.
next, i am making some thicker pants from a pair of my old pants that dont quite fit so well and they will work for winter for my son!
Wow! Thanks for the video instructions! What a great way to upcycle!
jennine
Oh wow. What a great idea! My husband has so many old tee shirts, and I think these are the cutest pajama pants for little boys. Just like the picture– that is SO adorable. I’m in love! Trying to make these ASAP!
-Sylvia
adding it to my favs right now- amazing tut- so simple yet cute- thank you so much!
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