Sewing pants: everything you need to know to get started!
Pants are an often frightening sewing project. With their pockets, finishing touches, buttons or fly and tailoring techniques, they can impress!
However, by taking your time and choosing the right pattern, you can achieve a great result. Follow the guide!
Start simply
As with all sewing projects, the golden rule is the same: don’t start with a pattern that’s too complicated!
Choose a pattern that corresponds to your level: beginner, intermediate or advanced. That way, you won’t be frustrated by a possible failure, and you’ll be able to progress step by step.
If you’re just starting out, don’t jump straight into tailoring pants or jeans. You can work with jersey by sewing wide-leg jogging pants, which are less likely to crack if the proportions and seams aren’t perfect.
Alternatively, you can opt for wide-leg canvas pants with an elastic waistband: the latter saves you the trouble of fitting the fly and finishing the belt loops.
Pants without pockets are also easier to sew at first.
Sewing a pair of shorts (like this one from Deer and Doe) can be a good start to learning some techniques.
You can also start with children’s pants, always in jersey. Children’s and baby leggings are often simple to sew, with minimalist finishes. You can also use denim-like jersey to sew leggings.
Result guaranteed! Here’s a very simple legging pattern for kids, ideal for getting started!
The test canvas
If you want to try your hand at more complex techniques, such as children’s or adult jeans, or dress pants, it’s best to start by making a test canvas.
There’s nothing rocket science about it! It simply allows you to be sure that the pattern’s cut corresponds to your morphology. And, if necessary, it allows you to make the necessary modifications.
The fabric stage is very important in the case of pants, which will often be quite close to the body and need to be well fitted.
You can buy canvas in a sewing store. It’s inexpensive and saves you from wasting fabric by making a garment that’s too small or too big! All that’s left is to make the pattern once (you don’t need to do all the finishing), try it on yourself, then go “clean” with the final fabric.
Some models use what are known as “tailoring techniques”, i.e. techniques used by professional tailors. These are used to achieve a beautiful finish and fall, for example, by hemming the bottom of the pants by hand.
Once again, don’t panic: most patterns now come with step-by-step explanations and pictures. You can also practice on fabric scraps to make sure you get it right. As with all sewing projects, you need to be patient and not afraid to do it over and over again!
Which fabric for which project?
The patterns specify the type of fabric required for each model.
If the pattern is close-fitting, make sure the fabric contains a little elastane so it doesn’t crack at the first movement! For jersey, make sure the fabric is a little thick. Make sure it’s compatible with leggings, and that it’s not too transparent.
For a jogging suit, you need an even thicker jersey. Check this aspect: look at the weight of the fabric if you buy it on the Internet.
For the rest (print, type of fabric, color…), let your imagination run wild!
And of course, if you want to sew jeans, choose denim fabric!
A few patterns
For kids, there’s a huge choice, and you’ll find lots of free tutorials for easy sewing of leggings and jogging pants.
If you’re looking for something a little more complex, Burda has this pair of jeans.
Finally, if you’d like to get in on the finishing touches, this McCalls pants pattern includes topstitching details, pockets and plenty of customization options.
Women aren’t left out either, with numerous patterns for jeans, high-waisted dress pants and classic corduroy pants.
In addition, the 100% made in France jeans brand 1083, offers a free PDF pattern of straight pants for women/men/children!
Now all you have to do is get started!
Have you ever sewn a pair of pants?
