I still haven’t set up my ideal sewing/crafting studio BUT I am not letting that stop me from getting some projects done. Even with my awkward sewing machine setup (machine sitting on top of my antique singer sewing table and machine foot resting on top of the treadle), I decided to tackle my first refashion for The Kid while we were trapped at home sick for a few days in a row.
I’d say it was semi successful in that it gave me a chance to learn some new techniques and the result doesn’t look half bad. I mean, my two-year-old says, “Good job, Mommy!” And he obviously has discerning taste.
I found this striped 100% cotton shirt in the men’s section at Goodwill for $3 on sale and thought the fabric would make a cute shirt for the Kid. Maybe one to go with the brown corduroy pants I’d found on a previous thrift outing. I’m always drawn to brown corduroy (weird?) but then I can’t figure out what “goes” with it. Navy and white, perhaps? When I got the shirt home, I noticed that the sleeves were very close in size to toddler pant legs. How about some lounge pants, Kid?
I figured if it doesn’t work out, it’s only a $3 shirt and the non-sleeve section will still be available to make something else. So I started by laying a pair of pajama pants on top of a sleeve and cutting a slightly bigger piece, since I wanted these to be not as fitted as pajamas. I used the next size up jammies that he is not quite ready for yet, in order to give growing room.
The best part was that the shirt already had a ribbed cuff so I could just use that for the bottom of the pants – one less thing to add from scratch! The top of the pants ran into the seem between the sleeve and the bodice of the shirt but I kind of liked the diagonal lines that were created by keeping that part so I decided to go with it, even though I could see they wouldn’t match up evenly at the center seam.
I read a bit about sewing knits and found lots of conflicting advice about the right stitch, needle, foot pressure, thread, etc. But after some tests on scraps, I determined that using a typical foot pressure, 100% cotton thread, and the “regular” needle I had on hand for sewing woven fabrics worked best. I also experimented with some different stitches on my Husqvarna machine and found that the flatlock stitch, which looks similar to serging, worked the best. Once I figured out the best (I hoped!) methods and tools, I sewed up the inseams then joined the two legs together. I’ve never sewn a pair of pants – unless you count doll pants? – but that part was pretty straightforward.
I had lots of “help” during this whole process from a supposedly sick but surprisingly fiesty toddler. There was about 3% playing quietly nearby and 97% pushing sewing machine buttons, grabbing scissors and pins, leaning on my leg while I was trying to sew, and other demonstrations of engagement with the process.
“Honey, please don’t lean on my leg. That’s what is making the needle go up and down, see?… Honey, please don’t lean on my leg…. PLEASE DON’T LEAN ON MY LEG!!” Poor kid.
I had a vision of a nice thick waistband out of a different knit fabric. I didn’t want to use (or buy) elastic but I thought I could just sew on a stretchy but narrower band to hold the pants up. I used the back of a hideous navy T-shirt from the thrift store, which was probably thinner than ideal but it did work, overall. I cut it too short – I really wanted a wide band – but it still works. Next time, I’ll cut bigger! Getting the narrower band to match up evenly and smoothly with the top of the pants was quite a challenge. I ended up with a wonky, wiggly seam right in front that looked terrible but seemed fine, construction-wise. I decided that instead of ripping it out, I’d just cover it up with something decorative. (Insert eye roll here.) That’s why there’s a little embroidered label right in the front of the waistband. I kind of like it, though!
I did have to make a few seam adjustments after a couple quick try-ons. The front seam and waistband both needed to be taken in (twice). Guess how much a rambunctious two-year-old enjoys fittings and adjustments. About as much as you’d expect! Getting a decent “pose” in the finished product was equally challenging but I guess this just shows that the pants are comfortable, though extra long, and allow for full range of toddler movement. Mission accomplished!
All things considered, I think they turned out pretty well. He has worn them without complaint and they’ve held up in the laundry (something I’m always a little paranoid about with anything homesewn!) so already it’s a win. But mostly, I’m just happy I got to play around with refashioning and working with knit fabrics. Now I know what I need to work on so I can get better during future projects.
Okay, what’s next?!
~Emily