This is a pattern for a pants with no side seam.Only an inside leg seam and a separate waistband.But it can easily be adjusted to make a pattern with side seams and cut on waistband.
The tutorial seems long because it includes the instructions for making the pattern and completing the pants.
Read the instructions carefully.
You can use a serger.It does look more professional.I don’t have a serger yet so I used the triple stretch straight stitch on my regular sewing machine.If your machine does not have TSSStitch, then do three rows of straight stitch and gently stretch the fabric as you sew.This fabric does not fray.
REMEMBER TO USE A BALL POINT NEEDLE.
IMPORTANT Always pre wash your fabric.I usually do.Well this time I didn’t bother to because I knew there would be no shrinkage.I was very unhappy when I discovered that the dye stained my sewing machine.After several attempts at cleaning it,I tried bleach which also didn’t work.So Once again, I learned the hard way.
Now back to the tutorial.
Use your favourite yoga pants to make a pattern.Make sure you get the same type of fabric.(usually 2 or 4 way stretch).
You can make a pattern using paper or draw onto the fabric directly.
Stretch the fabric in all directions.The maximum stretch should go around the body. (This is usually from selvage to selvage.)
Make the Pattern.
Tuck the one leg into the other.
If using paper, lay the pants onto paper.If you going to work directly onto the fabric,lay the pants onto the fabric.
Fold the fabric or paper double so that you have enough for front and back of one leg.
Lay the pants down with the side on the fold line and the crotch side to the raw edge side.Leave enough fabric for seam allowance and folding at the top and bottom.
Trace the outline of the inside seam,crotch,hem, and top.
Add the seam and hem allowances.
The front is usually lower than the back.So make a mark where it is lower only on one side of the pattern.Draw the curve.Add the seam allowance.
Mark the front and back at the crotch.THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Cut the pattern.
If you are working directly on the fabric, open the cut piece an cut the second leg.Remember to place right sides together when you cut.
If you are using a paper pattern,then open the pattern, lay the fabric right sides together and cut 2.
Now cut the waistband.
Measure the waistband.
Still with the one leg tucked into the other,measure the length an width of the band.Double the length measurement and add a seam allowance.Remember it has to go around the body.
I did not want to add an elastic so I cut the length about an inch shorter.The fabric stretches enough to serve as elastic.
(you can also increase the width if you wish to fold the band as added detail).
Cut the waistband.
Fold the fabric over.This will double the width. Mark the width measurement and add a seam allowance.
Measure and mark the length,making sure it is enough to go around the body.(this is a common mistake so I can’t stress it enough).
Cut the waistband.
Fold right sides together lengthwise and pin and stitch.
With right sides together,Pin the inseam of the pants and stitch.
Turn the one pants leg inside out and the other outside in.
Tuck the one leg into the other with right sides facing.Pin and stitch.
Attach the waistband.
Fold the waistband in half with wrong sides facing. with the seam as the first mark for the centre,mark the other half.Turn the band so that the seam and other centre mark meets.Then mark the quarters.
Match up the seams for the pants.These are the half marks.Now mark the quarters.
Attach the band to the pants matching the marks you’ve made.Place the seam of the band to the back of the pants.If the band is smaller,you will have to stretch it to fit.Pin and stitch.
Have the inside seam facing down.
You can use a single or twin needle to topstitch the seam and the hem.