Add to your handmade portfolio the ultimate wardrobe staple: sweatpants. Whether you're seeking comfort, style, or a creative outlet, sewing your own sweatpants allows you to customize the fit, fabric, and design. So grab your sewing machine, some cozy fabric, and let's dive into the basics of sewing sweatpants.
The sewing pattern for sweatpants is free, with an easy to follow layout and many details - designed to be a sewing pattern for beginners.
Below is a beginner's guide for sewing sweatpants.
Pre-Care
1. Choose the Appropriate Material
Fabric & Thread
There's a few considerations when choosing your fabric for sweatpants:
- Quality of fabric to prevent pilling
- Desired level of warmth and stretch
The most commonly used fabric for sweatpants is sweatshirt fleece, also known as brushed fleece. The Sweatpants DIY Kit come with high quality poly cotton fleece to match the Boxy Hoodie DIY.
As per the Glory Allan pattern, here is the fabric required for sewing sweatpants:
Fleece Fabric: 2.75 yards (2.51 meters)
1.50" Elastic: 2-4" less than your waist measurement
0.75" Elastic: 8-14" (optional for elastic cuff, tapered leg opening)
Rib Knit: 0.25 yards (0.23 meters; optional for rib knit, tapered leg opening)
All Purpose Polyester Thread: 100 yards minimum
2. Wash the Fabric
A general rule for every sewing project is to wash the fabric before construction. This helps pre-shrink it and set the dye. All cotton products will have natural shrinkage, so it's best to take the safe route.
Remember to:
- Unfold the fabric before loading in the machine
- Don't overcrowd the machine
- Wash like you would wash the final pants
Sewing Tools and Accessories
Sewing Tools
Sewing Machine (ideally with a zigzag stitch option)
- Iron and Ironing Board
- Tailor's Chalk
- Transparent Ruler
- Craft Scissors
- Fabric Scissors
- Pins and Sewing Clips
Sewing Machine Stitch Settings
With fleece material, ideally you will want to use a stretch stitch. Alternatively, you can use a narrow zigzag stitch to create a bit of stretch.
Sewing Session
https://youtu.be/ZSe5N22P1rM
How to Sew Sweatpants | GA025