How to Sew DIY Pants That Are Comfy and Cute
Today, I’m going to be sewing the Pietra pants by Closet Core Patterns. This pattern straddles that narrow line where style and comfort meet. I absolutely love the slanted pockets and consider them the gem of this pattern. Let’s get started on constructing these beautiful DIY pants.
Tools and materials:
- Pattern
- Fabric
- Wide elastic band
- Interfacing
- Scissors
- Pins
- Safety pin
- Sewing machine
- Serger
Cut fabric
Before beginning construction, cut out all the pattern pieces you will need.
Apply interfacing
Apply interfacing to the wrong side of the pocket pieces, and iron them in place.
Pin and sew
Pin and sew the angled seam of the pockets to the side front short pieces.
Press and sew
Flip the pocket up and press it towards the seam. Then understitch along the seam.
Fold and press
Fold the pocket back down so the wrong sides are together with the side front short piece, and press it flat.
Fold the pocket in half and pin the sides. Sew them down with a basting stitch and press.
Pin, sew, and serge
With right sides together, pin and sew the pocket panels to the center front short pieces. Then serge the seam allowance.
Press and sew
Press the seam flat, and if you wish, topstitch along the seam.
Pin and sew the right and left center short pieces together along the curved crotch seam, and then serge the seam allowance.
If you did not yet apply interfacing to the facing pieces, do so now. Pin and sew the center front facing and side front facing, with right sides together.
Press
Open the seam and press it flat.
Pin and sew
Pin and sew the center front facing to the second piece of side facing.
With right sides together, pin and sew the front facing pieces to the top edge of the front of the shorts.
Serge
Serge the bottom edge of the front facing, or finish the edge using your preferred method.
Press the facing towards the seam, and then understitch along the seam on the facing side.
Pin
Match up the seams of the front shorts and front facing pieces, and pin them together at the seams.
Sew
Stitch in the ditch (i.e. stitch directly on the seam line) to secure the facing to the front of the shorts.
With right sides facing, pin the back pieces of the shorts together along the center back seam, and sew it down. Then serge the seam allowance.
Fold and press
Fold ½ an inch of the long edge of the back waistband, and press it to keep it in place.
Then fold it in half along the center notches, and press again.
Pin and sew
With right sides together, pin and sew the back waistband along the top edge of the back pieces of the shorts.
Press
Press the seam up.
Pin and sew
Pin the front and back shorts pieces together at the side seams by matching up the notches, and then sew the side seams down.
Fold the back waistband along the pressed fold and over the front facing. Pin and sew it down at the sides.
Serge the side seams.
Attach elastic
Pin and sew one end of the elastic at the side seam. Pin the other end of the elastic to the other side seam, and try it on. If it fits well, sew the elastic in place.
Flip, pin, and sew
Flip the waistband over the elastic to cover it. Then pin the waistband down along the stitch line. This may be difficult because the elastic pulls at the fabric, so do this step in sections. Once it’s all pinned down, turn the pants right side out, and stitch in the ditch along the seam of the waistband.
Sew two parallel lines of topstitching across the waistband. Use a long stitch, and stretch the elastic as you sew.
Pin and sew the front and back at the inseam. Then serge the seam allowance.
Hem
Finally, hem the shorts by double folding the bottom edge, and topstitching. Or, finish the raw edge, fold it once, and sew it down.
That brings us to the end of the Pietra pants pattern. What did you think of this DIY pants tutorial?
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Comments
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well written and the photos are really detailed and informative. I'm inspired to sew!