They Look Like Pixelated Pants!!
My husband took one look at these pants and said, “They look pixelated!” So that’s how they got their name. These fun pants came about accidentally and now I absolutely love them!!
Where the Idea Came From…
At the beginning of 2024 I made the Palo Pants which is a pattern from Named patterns sewing book, Breaking the Pattern. I pieced the Palo pants together using three different pairs of jeans. You can read more about that project here.
Well, I loved my Palo Jeans so much I wanted to try something similar. Then I saw these patchwork pants on Pinterest and wanted to try making some with another pattern I love, the Largo Cargo pattern by Love Notions.
These patchwork Largos were so MUCH easier to make than the Palo pants because I had some remnant patch work fabric from Joann leftover from my Coda Quilted Coat. You can read more about that project here. I have made the Largo Cargos 5 different ways; Jogger hack, Reafshioned, Striped, Patchwork and Green ones.
The Plan…
Originally for this project, I had only planned on the front right leg and the back left leg being patchwork. Then the front left and the back right would look completely different in light denim. However, right before I attached the front of the pants to the back I looked at them and thought, “These need more patchwork.” Plus I didn’t really like to look of the front and back legs being so different. I decided to add morepatchwork fabric to the bottom part of the front and back legs. I wish I would have gotten pictures of it before but I will try to explain as best as I can. Hopefully the pictures below help to visulaize what I’m explaining.
A Rough Explanation of What was Actually Done…
So basically, I layed the patchwork fabric down, right side up and placed the leg of the pants on top, right side up as well. Then I cut the fabric as big as the leg. Then I pinned the patch work fabric to the pants so I could stitch them in place.
For the top where the patchwork meets the light denim I simply cut the fabric in a stair step pattern right where the two different colors meet. Making sure to cut right up next to, but not through, the fold and seam.
There was a small part on the back leg where I made my own little stair step pattern by cutting the darker fabric then folding it under to look like the rest. You can’t even tell!
I tried my best to stitch into the same stitch lines of the fabric, but you can see that I kind of strayed a little, which doesn’t bother me and I’m sure no one will notice. Below you can see how I cut right along the fold. There’s a bit of fraye edges poking out but I can trim that if it bothers me.
Once I had the patchwork fabric stitched to the front and back I just cut the light denim legs straight across and finished the edges with my serger so they wouldn’t fray.
A couple Changes to The Pattern…
Now you might look at these pants and think that they look a little different from the Largo Cargo Pants pattern. Well, that’s because I moved the patch pocket to the inside. I give you all the details on these two pocket hacks over on the Love Notions Blog.
I also skipped the side leg cargo pocket. I thought that would be overkill to add a cargo pocket with how busy the pants look. I am still trying to decide if I want to add a little patch pocket to the front, light denim side. For now they are staying just like this.
Let’s Be Friends!
I know patchwork things like this are definitely an acquired taste, but I absolutely LOVE projects like this. Even if you don’t go overboard like I did, maybe this can help give you an idea of different ways to customize your homemade clothes. Let’s be friends on all the socials! Come follow along on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok so we can chat about all our sewing projects!
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Patchwork fabric (joann)
- Pants pattern (love notions)
- Button (joann)
- Denim fabric (thrift store)
- Coordinating thread
- Sharp fabric scissors
- Pins
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