It's a new month and with it a new tutorial. So far it's been fun seeing your past projects through Instagram and DM's. We are really proud of each one of you! It may not be easy for some of you, so if you are struggling, take it easy. You don't have to finish the project in one day, by dedicating 10 minutes a day is enough.♡
This month is exciting because Spring is very close and we are loving it. After a few hard months of cold weather, a little bit of sun is really appreciated. To celebrate that, we decided to bring you a wrapping pants tutorial.
This style of pants is perfect for mid-season weather, they give you coverage but at the same time, they let the air flow so you don't get hot, but the most important thing: THEY ARE THE MOST COMFORTABLE PANTS EVER. Seriously, no joke.
The tutorial is very simple it requires a few steps, the level of difficulty will be determined by the fabric you decide to use. If you're sewing this by hand we recommend using knit fabric, and if you're using a sewing machine we recommend woven fabric.
In this picture, I'm wearing the summer cardigan! It's so exciting to wear an outfit 100% made by yourself. And we can't wait to see you wearing your first me-made outfit!
Let's get started!
What do I need?
-Fabric of your choice.
-Scissors.
-Tread of the same color as your fabric.
-Measuring tape or ruler.
-Pencil, chalk, or washable marker.
-Pins
-A sewing machine or a needle.
*If you don't know where to get all the supplies you need, we have an option for you. Click here to check MadamSew's online shop. This includes an affiliate link, which means we receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
How much fabric do I need?
-If you're 1.60 m/ 5' 2" feet or less: 2 yards (1.8 mts)
-If you're between 1.60 -1.75 m/ 5' 2"- 5' 7" feet: 2 1/2 yards (2.30 mts)
-Taller than 1.75 m/ 5' 7": 3 yards (2.75 mts)
Fabric suggestion:
If you have a machine: Light wovens.
If you're doing it by hand: Light knits like jersey or interlock.
STEP 1
Measure your thigh's contour like it's shown in the photos.
Your thigh's contour + 2/3 of your thigh's contour= The measure you need.
Write it down so you don't forget it.
Now, measure from your waist to your ankle, this will be the length of your pants.
STEP 2
Take your fabric and fold it in half (width). Use your thigh's contour measure and trace a vertical line from the left side where the fold of the fabric is, to the right side. You might not need to trace this line if your measurement is the same size as the width of the fabric.
Use the length measurement to trace a horizontal line, from the top part to the bottom. You'll end up with a rectangle or a square. (It depends on your height and thickness).
Cut the excess fabric and cut where the fold is to create two exact pieces. Pin them together so they don't move.
STEP 3
Trace another vertical line (A) at the center of the width.
Now, we're going to draw the rise line (B) depending on your height:
If you're less than 5′ 2″ (1.60 m)= Add 25 cm
If you're 5′ 2″ - 5′ 5″ (1.61m - 1.70 m)= Add 27 cm
If you're 5′ 6″ - 5′ 9″ (1.71 m - 1.83 m)= Add 30 cm
More than 6′ (1.84 m) = 32 cm
Add 11 cm to the left side from that center line and trace line(C) down to where Line B is.
Add 5.5 cm to the right side, from line A and trace another line (D).
STEP 4
From Line B to C mark 5.5 cm and do the same from C to B, like this:
Now, join both marks with a curve to create the crotch.
Next, we're going to mark again 5.5 cm from B to D. Just like we did, but only over one line.
And finally, we're going to join that mark to the crotch curve we traced. (not to the middle line)
Once you draw the lines, congrats! You passed the trickiest part, the rest is easy peasy!
Now, let's pin the two pieces of fabric together around the curve and cut it!
STEP 5
On the left side of the fabric make a mark at 35 cm, from top to bottom. Make the same mark but on the right side. (if you're taller than 1.70 m add 5 cm on both sides)
Then, on the bottom, trace a mark at 16 cm, from the sides to the center.
Then connect those marks with a curve. This is to shape the pants' leg.
Cut the excess fabric.
*The largest side is the backside of your pants and the shortest side is the front side.
STEP 6
We will need to cut two stripes to use as our waistbands.
1. Measure your waist contour and add 30 cm. You'll use this measure to make a rectangle with 8 cm of width.
2. Make another rectangle with that same waist measure but add 60 cm x 10 cm of width.
Cut both pieces.
STEP 7
Let's start sewing.
*Remember to always leave 1 cm of seam allowance.
First, start by sewing together both pieces through the crotch line.
STEP 8
Make a hem to the whole edge of both legs, this will give a better finish to all the rough edges and it won't fray.
*If you're using a knit fabric or a fabric that doesn't fray, you can skip this step. In our case, we both used knits, so we skipped it.
If you don't remember what a hem is, here's an example. It will look something like this:
STEP 9
Take the first stripe and close the sides (width). To do that, take the short side and fold 1cm, like this.
Now, take the longer sides and fold 1cm as well.
While holding those folds, fold it in half.
Sew it like that to keep it in place. If it's too small to sew it in the sewing machine do it by hand. That's what we did because it was too small and it kept getting stuck down the presser foot. (This can happen if you're using a knit on a sewing machine.)
And, repeat the same steps but to the other side of the same stripe.
Now take the second stripe and cut it in a diagonal. Like this.
Sew it and do the same thing to the other side of the stripe.
Now you have the four ends of the stripes closed.
STEP 10
Unfold one of the sides to sew the first strip.
Take the largest stripe and make a mark at the center. Align that mark with the center of the backside of your pants (the largest side), and pin it to keep it in place.
Sew those pieces together, the stripe and the pants, from where the backside starts to where it ends (from where my right finger is to where my left finger is).
Make sure both right sides of the fabric are facing each other and sew 1 cm on the edge.
This is the front side unfolded*
Now you'll wrap that stitch you just made with the other side of the stripe. Take the other side, and tuck 1cm in.
Then fold it in half and pin it down to secure it. Sew the entire strip, even if there is no backside anymore.
You'll end up with something like this.
*Don't worry if the stitch it's not looking perfect or in a straight line, this is a tricky step.
STEP 11
Take the smallest stripe, and repeat the same step (step 10) but with the front side of the pants.
And that's it! You have finished your wrapping pants.
Yes, they might look kind of funky but once you try them on, they take their shape.
To identify which side is which, you just have to remember that the one with the longest stripe is the back part.
Always tie the front side on the back first, and the backside tie it on the front, making a bow or a knot!
Remember!...
If you have any doubts or you feel stuck, we are happy to solve your doubts through email, Instagram DM's, or down here in the comments section.
Enjoy your new addition to your wardrobe. It may not be perfect but it definitely is more ethical and sustainable than fast fashion, be proud of it!
All the love,
Lucy & Dani.