I love tutorials where I get to showcase my baby’s bum! haha! But really, it’s so cute right?
I also love harem pants so I’ve been whipping some up for Stella using some fun prints like these ones. A soft jersey or organic cotton works best because theres a little stretch to them but a variety of fabrics will work and this pattern (available from newborn to 3T sizes) really is so simple! Just a few seams and you’re done! Trust me, even if you’re uncomfortable in front of a sewing machine, you can do this! Beginners feel no fear!
**UPDATE** I revisited this post here, providing all new patterns for those who have had problems with these ones! I also updated the patterns on this post so you can grab them both places and they should work much better! :)
- Materials
- 1/4-1/2 yard fabric (all our prints available here) //
- Elastic //
- Sewing machine //
- Pattern //
- Scissors //
- Matching thread
1.Choose the appropriate size pattern, cut out two pant pieces and two cuff pieces that you’ll then fold in half.
2. Put pant pieces right sides together and sew down the legs, on the outside and and around the whole half circle inside.
3. Pin your elastic (measure your little’s waist for the right size. I used 17″ for Stella who is in 12-18 size clothes) and sew it on.
4. Fold the elastic down on the inside of the pants and sew that down.
5. Turn the pants right side out and pin the cuffs, open edges flush with the bottom of your legs. Leave the open part on the inside seam.
6. Sew along this bottom.
7. Sew the cuff together, matching the seam to where the pant leg goes in.
8. Clip all threads off and turn the cuffs down. That’s it!!
It is really really hard to get pictures of this little girl. She is in constant movement!! Which is why these pants are so great, they are comfy and easy for babies to move around in. And, obviously, super cute too! Happy Sewing!
**NOTE. If you need reference for how it fits together, see the 0-3 month size pattern which is all on one page and pay attention to my process photos for how it all looks when cut.
Kaylee says
August 3, 2015 at 8:16 pmwhat size print out is the pattern. Is the pattern 0-3 month on a regular 8 1/2X 11 sheet printout? What is the scaling for printing?
Machelle says
August 3, 2015 at 8:29 pmThat’s correct, the pattern is scaled to print on regular size copy paper. It is spread out over a couple sheets. Print it out at 100% and then line them up together, you’ll be able to see how to do this :)
Thanks!
Kira says
August 28, 2015 at 8:38 amAt 100% it is smaller than a US Letter size paper. Maybe I’m doing something wrong? I opened in photoshop and the entire page was only 3.5″ by 8″ which seems too small to me. I love this pattern, please help!!
Machelle says
August 28, 2015 at 9:49 pmThat is the correct size for the 0-3 Month pattern. You can still print it out on a normal size paper then cut along the lines. Remember, you’re placing the leg pattern along a fold of fabric so your piece ends up being twice that wide at the hips and you have two pieces. Your total diameter ends up being about 11.5″ after they’ve been sewn together and for a baby in this size of clothing, you’ll still need to add elastic to make it smaller and actually fit them.
I know it seems tiny but it is true-to-size. If you need bigger, just download a bigger size! :)
Hope that helps.
Machelle
Nele says
October 15, 2015 at 4:56 amWould it be possible to explain how to put the different sheets together to form the pattern (Size 3T)?
I’ve been trying, but it just seems an unsolvable puzzle to me :(
Machelle says
October 26, 2015 at 2:35 pmI am SO sorry I didn’t see this comment sooner. Hopefully this will still help, I’ve re-worked the pattern a little so that it should be more accurate and easier to follow. It should be easy to tell where to overlap the pattern but please let us know if you are still confused! I promise to respond quicker :) Here is the new pattern (also updated the one in the link above):
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dc6m3tl9hi6he6f/baby_harem_pants_3T_A_Joyful_Riot.pdf?dl=0
Thanks so much Nele!
Debra says
October 26, 2015 at 3:46 amLove this pattern but totally frustrating as it does not print out to scale. I have tried everything i know to get it to print to actual size, but to no avail.
Machelle says
October 26, 2015 at 3:12 pmI am so sorry this pattern has caused you problems! What size are you trying for? I have updated all of the patterns just today to make them a little easier to follow and possibly more correct on size. Go ahead and try again using the new patterns at the following link and let me know if you’re still having problems:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z8p0uz2t90587vl/AAAWUiHbEXcgt5VbdqHuj8LFa?dl=0
Thanks so much!
Theresa says
October 27, 2015 at 8:39 pmHi is there anyway you can email me the pattern for the 18-24 month size.. It’s not printing correctly
Machelle says
October 29, 2015 at 10:08 amHi Theresa, I can but would you describe the problem to me? I’ll be sending the exact same file so I am not sure you’ll have different results. If you’d like an email, send us one at [email protected] and we’ll reply :)
When printing out, cut along the outlines and then overlap the pieces where you see repetition. (like part of the “pant legs-cut 2 pieces” should be on two separate pieces, so overlap them where the text is)
Samantha says
October 30, 2015 at 9:41 pmI’m struggling a little with 18-24 month pattern as well. I’m wondering if you could possibly add a picture to your post showing the actual pattern taped together so we know what pieces go together! I am a beginner sewer so I get easily confused! LOL Thank you!! Adorable pants and greatly appreciate the free pattern!
Laura says
November 11, 2015 at 3:10 pmHi,
Could you maybe upload a picture of an actual pattern printed out and taped together?
Printed it on Actual size (A4 printer) and it was a little problematic.. Lines were cut-off or didn’t appear at all,, words were cut-off, etc.
Machelle says
November 12, 2015 at 10:06 amHi there, I’m not sure what the difference is between an A4 printer and the ones I have used but I’m guessing it’s a margin issue? Each pattern has been given a 1/2″ margin around it which has worked fine on all 3 printers I have used to test this pattern. In addition, each piece on each page should overlap (you’ll notice a repeat of words or specific lines/curves) with the other pages.
The 0-3 month size is all on one page so you can look at that for reference and the process photos in the post show how they should all fit together and look.
Lastly, if you think it’s not printing correctly, adjust the settings on your printer before you print. When you hit print there should be an option box of some kind that pops up with the option to adjust the fit of the image to the page. Click next to the option “Fit to Page”. The size may change a bit but it will be so tiny and marginal that the size should still be appropriate.
I will try to add a photo of a larger pattern placed together if I get some extra time :)
Leo says
November 12, 2015 at 1:11 amHi,
Thanks for this great pattern. But I can’t use them because an A4 printer can print it out correctly.
It looks like the PDF’s do not take care of the ‘safety’ margins a printer uses (25mm on all sides). For example, almost all the fold lines cross this margin, which makes the patterns a puzzle that doesn’t fit :)
Machelle says
November 12, 2015 at 10:06 amHi there, I’m not sure what the difference is between an A4 printer and the ones I have used but I’m guessing it’s a margin issue? Each pattern has been given a 1/2″ margin around it which has worked fine on all 3 printers I have used to test this pattern. In addition, each piece on each page should overlap (you’ll notice a repeat of words or specific lines/curves) with the other pages.
The 0-3 month size is all on one page so you can look at that for reference and the process photos in the post show how they should all fit together and look.
Lastly, if you think it’s not printing correctly, adjust the settings on your printer before you print. When you hit print there should be an option box of some kind that pops up with the option to adjust the fit of the image to the page. Click next to the option “Fit to Page”. The size may change a bit but it will be so tiny and marginal that the size should still be appropriate.
I will try to add a photo of a larger pattern placed together if I get some extra time :)
Leo says
November 17, 2015 at 7:34 amHi Machelle,
Thank you so much for your reply. That was fast!
The pages from your PDF are 215,9 mm x 279,4 mm, while the size of an A4 paper is 210 mm x 297 mm. This gives problems with sizes bigger than 6-12M.
I hope one day your great pattern will be available in the A4 format.
Emily says
January 25, 2016 at 7:02 amI’m curious what size elastic to use for the 0-3 month size. I’m making these for my baby who isn’t born yet, so I can’t measure them. Thanks!
Charmy says
March 5, 2016 at 5:00 amHi
Just wondering what sort of stitch you used for these leggings?
Thanks
Machelle says
March 6, 2016 at 1:56 pmHi! I just used a regular straight stitch at a 1 length (the shortest) and regular tension. A serger would have been preferred but I don’t have one :) Hope that helps.
Machelle says
March 17, 2016 at 7:52 amFor all those who have had any issues with these patterns, I’ve completely revamped them and done a new post on it right here. I have also updated the links throughout this post with the new patterns so grab them anywhere and let me know if you have any problems!
DIY For Days says
March 28, 2016 at 8:58 pmHow perfect are these!! These are a MUST make for my little girl! And that print is adorable. I recently tried out a Trend-Setter Play Outfit, and I want to add more comfy play clothes to her closet! http://www.diyfordays.com/?p=1426