How to DIY Cute and Comfy Wide-leg Joggers

Tools and materials: 

• 1.5 - 2 meters of fabric
• 4 - 5cm wide elastic
• Pattern
• Scissors
• Marker
• Sewing machine (optional: with a serger)
• Eyelets
• Hammer
• Measuring tape
• Pins
• Safety pin

1. Draw out the pattern

Start by printing off the joggers sewing pattern.

To adjust the pattern to fit your body shape, take waist and hip measurements. Then divide them by four and add 1cm for ease of movement.

Draw out and connect the two measurements and create one panel out of your new pattern. Add a seam allowance. 

2. Cut the fabric

Make sure to cut the patterns parallel to the stretch on your fabric.

When you have every pattern cut out once, trace the already cut patterns to continue cutting the fabric which helps to keep the garment more symmetrical.

You will end up with two front and two back pieces as well as four pocket pieces.

3. Attach the pockets

Attach the pockets to the side of the joggers, right-sides together, aligning the pockets with the pocket notches.

Sew them on with a straight stitch. Then topstitch the pocket openings for the two front pieces. The top stitching should not go all the way down the entire pocket but only about 10 to 12 centimeters. 

Pin the pocket underneath in place and then sew a trapezoid shape onto it.

4. Close the side seams 

Place the front and back pieces one on top of the other with the right-sides together. Sew all along the side and the pocket.

The pockets won't fully match up at this stage due to the top stitching, so the back layer of the pocket needs to overhang a little.

5. Close the pocket

Sew the pocket up to the part where the top stitching starts. 

6. Sew closed the inside legs

Take the leg panels, put them right-sides together and sew along the front and crotch curve. Use pins to close the inside of the pants so nothing will move around.

Then flip the joggers right-sides out.

7. Cut and sew the elastic

Take some elastic, wrap it around your waist and mark where it fits you comfortably.

Cut this out twice, once for each pair. Next, sew each piece into one loop. 

8. Sew elastic to pants

To attach the elastic to the joggers, divide it into four equal sections using pins. Line the elastic up with the joggers, using the pins to pin the elastic to each seam of the pants.

Attach the elastic to the joggers by stretching it slightly to match the fabric. Use a serger or a zigzag stitch to sew the elastic down.

Now, you can choose which version of the joggers you want to make (or make both!)

Version 1 - Simple joggers

1. Attach the elastic

Fold the elastic into the joggers and attach it to the seams with a couple of stitches. Then hem the joggers (see step 5 below).

Version 2 - Drawstring joggers

1. Cut and sew the drawstring

To create the drawstring, use the tape measure as a guide. Wrap it around your waist to test how long you'd like the string to be and then check the measurement on the tape.

Cut out a piece of fabric that matches that length. Fold the strip of fabric in half and sew all along the long edge with a zigzag or overlocking stitch. Use a safety pin to turn the fabric right side out.

2. Attach the elastic

Attach the elastic to the joggers in the same way that you did for the simple version.

3. Attach the eyelets

Next, fold the elastic over and mark where you want the eyelets to be (this is for the drawstring to feed through).

Use scissors to poke holes in the fabric and follow the instructions on your eyelid kit to install the eyelets.

4. Attach the drawstring

Pull the drawstring through the eyelets and put a knot in each end.

Sandwich the drawstring between the joggers and the elastic and pin the elastic onto the joggers. Then sew the elastic in with a straight stitch.

5. Hem the joggers 

To hem the joggers, I recommend you pin the hem when sitting as this way you can really tell how long you'd like the joggers to be.

Trim them if necessary and overlocked those edges. Then turn the pants inside out, fold the bottoms up, pin them and sew with a straight stitch.

Wide-leg joggers

Now you have two new pairs of wide-leg joggers, one with a drawstring at the waist and one without.

I am super happy with the outcomes, and I already know that I will be wearing these on a daily basis.

If you plan to wear these wide-leg joggers as loungewear, check out my post on How to Make Your Own Zip-Up Hoodie From Scratch to create the perfect cozy day set.