Behind The Selvage Line: FIRST TUTORIAL!!!

So, I'm a part time stay at home mom, part time work outside the home mom. My job as a paramedic is stressful and sometimes being a mommy is even harder. This leads me to how I de-stress. I craft. Yes, I have a Pinterest addiction (If you haven't checked out Pinterest you should. It's addicting). And I also love finding inspiration and experimenting as I go along, making my own creations. Today I made the most adorable lounge pants for my one year old son. I have TONS, literally a bajillion t-shirts sitting around and of course I can't get rid of them. Surely, I'll use them one day for something, right? Today was one of those days. C needs new loungs pants, I have lots of t-shirts, put 2 and 2 together and you get:

THE T-SHIRT LOUNGE PANTS TUTORIAL!!!

What you'll need:

1 adult t-shirt, size L (for size 18mo pants, XL for larger)

Pair of toddler pants to use as pattern

Sewing machine or needle and thread

pins

I started by laying out my t-shirt so I could see which portions I wanted to end up as my pants. I wanted the writing to be visible and continuous from leg to leg (of the pants)

I then turned my t-shirt inside out and laid my "pattern" pants on top of the t-shirt making sure to line up the pants with where the design was. (Turning the shirt inside out just eliminates having to lay the fabric right sides together to sew.) Cut around the sides, inseam, and bottom of the pattern pants, making sure to leave a seam allowance (I used about 1/4" SA, but you can use whatever you like.). When you cut around the waistline, leave an inch IN ADDITION to your SA. You will need this length to make the waistband.

After all the cuts are made, you should end up with 2 pieces, right sides together. Pin the pieces together. If you haven't sewn with jersey knit before, make sure you pin A LOT. Knit tends to stretch when you sew so you'll want to make sure it's lined up as you intended.

Using a tight zig zag stitch on your sewing machine (to allow for stretch) sew down the sides and inseam of the pants. Don't forget to leave the leg holes open on the bottom. (Yes, I almost forgot!) Next, turn your waistline down a half inch. Sew on the raw edge of this flap as this will become the casing for your drawstring. Note: You can also hem the bottom of the legs if you like, however jersey knit doesn't fray so there is really no need. I just trimmed mine where I wanted them before I sewed and left them raw.

You are done with the pants! Last, from your leftover t-shirt scraps, cut off the original bottom seam of the t-shirt and make one cut so you end up with one long piece of original seam.

Cut 2 slits about an inch apart, through the TOP layer of the casing you just made on the waist of the pants. Cut these in the middle of the waistline, on the front of the pants. Attach a safety pin to one end of your "drawstring." Insert the safety pin into one of the slits in the casing. Use the safety pin to slide the drawstring into the casing by scrunching the casing onto the pin.