Everyday Lounge Pant Tutorial

Yes, I am posting at 6:00 p.m. on a Wednesday. So what?

I bought these lounge pants from Target for $6.00. They are basic, available everywhere and a staple in most women's wardrobes. I love me some casual pants (that can't be proper English!), but all signs are pointing to the fact that if I wore these around town, I have completely given up on life. My husband likes to jokingly refer to sweats as "quitters" because he thinks that people who wear them out and about (i.e. dinner, movies or shopping) have totally surrendered in caring about themselves. Since I haven't thrown in the towel (nor do I ever plan to) on wanting to look presentable, I have, however, joined the ranks of wanting to be comfortable. There is a way to do both! 

I turned my Quitters - with a capital Q, into fashionable everyday pants. I'll be happy to say that these babies have made an appearance at Target, the grocery store, our road trip and yes, even dinner! They seem to be perfectly appropriate for every event in my life. Maybe that says a little something about me!?

I think these would also be good to wear for:

post maternity 

bike riding 

evening walks

the farmers market

a swimsuit cover up

thrift shopping

going to the park

going on picnic

you name it

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 I first started off by pinning them where I wanted them to be gathered at my leg. I did this while still wearing them, standing up really straight and looking into a mirror. I measured up from the hem and pinned the other leg at the same spot.

Next, I cut them off at the pins. Remember - you will have a 3"- 4" cuff on the bottom so take your final length into account before cutting!

I then measured up 4" (allowing for a 1/2" seam) from the bottom of the cut off leg piece and I cut them once again. This 4" piece will be used as your cuff for around your calf. Do this on both legs pieces.

I took my pants and sewed a base stitch 1/2 above my newly cut bottom edge. It doesn't have to look good because you will pull it through and remove it later.

I put the pants back on and started gathering the leg to get the right width for my calf. Tie off your thread strings once this is done so that your gather won't slip.

I opened my cuff piece by cutting the seam off and then I measured around the opening of the leg on the pants. I trimmed the length of the cuff to the measured size. I left my pants right side in and sewed the top of the cuff to the bottom of my pants so that right sides were together. Basically, just turn your cuff piece upside down backwards! 

Hint: start sewing from the hem on the inner of the leg

Once I got to the end, I just sewed up the side into the seam of the pants. 

I then took out the base stitch as it's not needed anymore

And that's it!

 I also added a little flair by using up the left over leg material that was cut off and make a cargo pocket. I also made a bias tape with some scrap fabric and made a new drawstring belt and topped the pocket with it as well.

Is this something you would wear around town? Do you think they are utilitarian as I do? Do you think I will wear them till they are worn thin, practically see-through and borderline indecent? 

You bet I will! 

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