How to Make Plaid Pants for Punks

Want a pair of tough-looking punk plaid pants, but are on a budget? No problem. This step-by-step tutorial with help you turn a pair of thrift store trousers (or simple pants sewn from a pattern) into a pair of punk pants that are uniquely you.

Things You'll Need

• Plaid pants or fabric/pattern for pants Sewing thread and needle for hand-sewing or sewing machine Button (if sewing from pattern) 11-inch zipper (if sewing from pattern) Straight pins or safety pins Seam ripper (or pair of small nail scissors) A friend (optional, but helps with marking pants for sewing) Tailor's chalk D-rings, long strips of webbing or fabric (1 inch wide), spikes, buttons, or patches for decoration (optional)

Instructions

1. Find a pair of slightly baggy plaid pants at a resale or thrift shop, or buy a pattern for simple, zip-up pants and enough fabric to complete the pattern in your size.

2. If you purchased plaid pants, skip to step 3. Otherwise, cut out and carefully pin the pattern to your fabric and sew, either by hand or using a sewing maching. Follow the manufacturer's instructions--patterns vary in number of pieces and steps. Add a button and a zipper for closure.

3. For all pants: turn pants inside out and try on. Carefully use the tailor's chalk to mark a line down the outside of each leg, vertically from thigh to ankle. This line will mark off the extra fabric, or "selvege." You are going for a tight, tapered-leg look. This step is much easier if you have a friend help you mark the pants while you stand still.

4. Remove the pants carefully, and lay down on a flat surface. Using straight pins or safety pins, pin along the line you marked. Make sure your pin line is as straight as possible and does not cross over any pockets.

5. Sew along the line you just pinned, one leg at a time. You can sew either using a sewing machine or by hand. If you are hand-sewing, make sure to thread your needle with a length of thread that is twice as long as each leg.

6. Remove all the pins, turn the pants right side out and try on. If they fit closely and correctly, proceed to step 7.
   If not, turn back inside out and carefully rip out your stiches using your seam ripper or nail scissors. Repeat steps 3 through 5.

7. If the extra fabric selvege on the outside of each leg is bulky, you can now carefully trim it down,. Turn pants back inside out and cut no closer than 1-inch to the leg seams you just sewed.

Tips & Warnings

• When you are marking and pinning your pants, don't over-taper the legs. Remember to leave enough room to pull the pants on and off over your foot. Be sure that both legs are even before sewing. Look at photos of punks from the 1970s and 80s for inspiration. To add a bondage look to your new punk pants, attach D-rings in various places. Sew down securely and weave the strips of fabric/webbing into the rings. You can also attach spikes, patches, or buttons for decoration.

• Be careful handling pins, sewing needles, or a sewing machine. If you've never sewn before, ask someone with experience to help.