D.I.Y upcycle shirts into toddler harem pants!

Check these cutie's threads!  I've been really eager to show you one of my latest.fun.easy. sewing projects.  Azriel is rocking out her new 'harem' pants made from one of my old t-shirts (a tourist token shirt from Venice).  You could also call them M.C Hammer. Aladdin. or Penguin pants i think....  Anyway, they were a hoot to make, and even more fun to watch her play in.

*Disclaimer: this does NOT mean I endorse the super lame use of words across girls' rears - especially in our 'lolita' culture of writing "eye candy" "sassy" etc on kids pants - c'mon please!

Sorry, just had to get that rant out.. what I do love is that these pants say "Ciao Bella"..  and I think that's pretty darn hilarious.

Ok, brace yourself, if you want to see my 'tutorial' on how to make these... you can continue to read this post.  Be warned... it's my first in depth tutorial.  Otherwise.. leave now and consider yourself free to chase frogs for the rest of the day.

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Really?  You're still here?  Ok... let's do this!

1) Grab a t-shirt and cut along the entire top to open shoulder seams.

 2) Fold shirt with side seams now in the middle (to maintain any image on the front of shirt being on the bum side). If you're really sneaky - you can preserve the arm sleeves as 'pockets' for the pants! I did have a simple pattern to trace with.  If you want to find a template to use you can go here.

3) Lay shirt back out normally, but keep inside out.  Can you see it now?

 4) If you were able to spare the short.sleeves you can now sew them into 'pocket' shapes, while the shirt is still inside out.  Sew from top of shoulder to armpit.

5) Trim off excess (if you're like me, lots gets cut on my knee.)

 Ahh, yes. Take a moment for your assistant to get in on the fun. 

 6) Ok, I lied... not just one t-shirt, but two are helpful.  I stole the stretchy ribbing off the cuffs from this stripey shirt for the leg cuffs and waistband.  But you can make it work with any type of stretchy ribbing you have.  (Sweater cuffs are great for the legs too).

7)  Cut out the large square to fold into the waistband.

8) Cut out the smaller strips to make into leg cuffs. Sew each cuff (inside out)..along the seam.

 9) Tuck cuff (still inside out) up into the leg holes.  Gather leg material. Pin. Stretch cuff as you sew the seam.

10) Grab elastic waistband and thread through your folded.sewn. waistband.  I used around 20" for my daughters waist.  Stitch a large zig-zag line across waistband to hold elastic at top.

 11) Tuck waistband (inside out) up into top of pants.  Gather material. Pin. Stretch waistband while you sew a large zig-zag line to join it to pants.

12) Trim. Pull pants right.side. out.. and hopefully they look done!?

Bask in the wonder of upcycling a t-shirt into harem pants!  

And if you want a better tutorial on super simple baby pants from a t-shirt... just watch this:

Thanks for visiting here again. If you have any questions on specific details that I was too lame to address... feel free to ask!

Have a great day,

Mel :o)