How to Make a Pair of Western Chaps
Chaps are protective leg coverings attached at the waist to protect the wearer from brambles, branches and other hazards found when riding a horse or even a motorcycle. They are worn over jeans or other pants and are usually made of very durable material, such as leather, to add another element of protection. Chaps have become more popular in the fashion world, with some designers making sequined and ruffled chaps for women.
Things You'll Need
- Pattern for chaps
- Scissors
- Tape measure
- Tailor's chalk
- Leather or suede
- Iron
- Sewing machine with a leather needle, or leather needle and heavy-duty thread
- Thick leather belt
Instructions
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1
Measure the person who will be wearing the chaps from the waist to the bottom of the pants leg, and from the outer thigh to the inner thigh. Also measure the width of the person's bottom so that you can adjust the pattern accordingly.
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2
Lay the pattern on the wrong side of the fabric and trace around the pattern with the tailor's chalk. Measure after you have traced to be sure that the outline corresponds to the measurements you took in Step 1.
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3
Cut the fabric carefully along the lines that you drew with the chalk. The pattern should have allowances for seams, so you can cut directly on the lines.
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4
Pre-heat your iron. Start at the bottom of one leg and fold over the seam allowance, which should be between 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch, depending on the pattern you are using. Iron along the seam line as you go up and over to the other leg.
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5
Stitch up one leg and around the top of the fabric and down the other leg to make the hems. Once you have the hems sewn, allow the wearer to try them on, for a final fit.
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6
Take the leather belt you are using for the top of the chaps and sew the loops that were provided for in the pattern, over the belt. Use a simple stitch to tack the loops onto the belt once they have been sewn around the belt.
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7
Decorate with fringes or leave as it is. Iron the finished chaps to make the creases that run along the side more pronounced.
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Tips & Warnings
Unless using for actual riding, decorate the chaps with interesting and personalizing accents.
Trim any excess material so it does not get in the way of riding.
