How to Make Ladies' Pants
Pants are one of the easier garments to sew. They require intermediate sewing skills and a basic understanding of patternmaking. You can choose either seam pants with elastic at the belt, or more a slightly more constructed style with a fly zipper. Customize your own patterns with only a few measurements.
Things You'll Need
- 2 yards of linen, wool, denim or heavy-weight fabric
- Measuring tape
- Butcher paper
- Marker
- Pins
- Sewing machine
- Thread
Instructions
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1
With the help of a friend, measure your waist, hips and crotch area as well as the length from waist to knee, knee to ankle, and crotch to ankle. See the Resources below for a printable chart that will help adapt measurements to a pattern.
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2
Choose a commercial pattern, or make one yourself. See the Resources below for pants patterns, ranging in difficulty from beginner to advanced, or instructions on how to make your own patterns. Use the measurements from Step 1 to determine size for a commercial pattern. Finished pattern measurements and sizes are listed on the back of the pattern envelope.
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3
Cut the pattern, pin fabric to it, and cut out. Transfer any detail markings on the pattern.
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4
Pin and sew front and back darts. Iron them flat.
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5
Take one front panel and one back panel, and pin together the inseam and outer side openings with right sides facing. Sew sides with a 5/8-inch seam allowance. Repeat for the second set of front and back panels. The waistband and crotch should still be open. Press open the seams.
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6
Take the two front and back panels, and hold them between thumb and index finger at the top of the inseam stitch. Line up the two inseam stitches so they match, and place a pin at the center of the seam. Pin together the two back panels at the buttock section, and leave open the front panel.
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7
Depending on pattern requirements, sew the zipper into the front the panel, or thread elastic through the waistband. See the Resources below for tips.
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8
If a zipper pattern does not include a waistband, and you want one, make your own. Take waist measurement and add 3 inches. Cut out a 4-inch wide strip that is the length of the waist measurement. Fold it in half lengthwise with right sides together, and press flat. Sew 2-inch edges at 1/2-inch seam allowance, and trim it close to the seam. Flip inside out, and pin the raw edge of the strip to the pants' waistband. Sew at 1/2-inch seam allowance, and serge or trim the edge. Add a hook to the left side of the waistband and an eye to the right side for closure.
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9
To hem pants, turn them inside out. Fold up and press 1/2 inch from the bottom, then down inside the pant leg. Fold up another 2 inches of the bottom of the legs, and press the edges. Pin the folds, and sew them down.
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10
Clip any excess thread, and wear your pants.
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