Creating a sewing pattern for wrap pants is a great project for those with sewing experience. Wrap pants are comfortable, stylish, and versatile. Here are the steps to create a basic wrap pants sewing pattern:
Materials and Tools:
- Fabric (cotton, linen, rayon, or any lightweight woven fabric)
- Sewing machine
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Straight pins
- Safety pins
- Iron and ironing board
- Pattern paper or large sheets of paper
Instructions:
- Take Measurements:
- Measure your waist, hips, and the length from your waist to your ankles.
- Add ease to these measurements. Ease is the extra space you'll need for comfort; typically, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) for the waist and hips is sufficient.
- Create the Pattern for the Pants:
- Fold your pattern paper or large sheets of paper in half.
- On the folded edge, mark a point for the top corner (waist) of your pants. Measure down from this point to mark the hip measurement, and then measure down again to mark the ankle length measurement.
- From the waist point, measure out to the side to mark your waist half-measurement (half of your actual waist measurement + ease). Draw a curve connecting this point to the hip point and then to the ankle point.
- Cut along these lines, and you've created half of your wrap pants pattern.
- Add seam allowances (typically 1/2 inch or 1.27 cm) to all edges except the waist edge, which should have a larger seam allowance (1-2 inches or 2.5-5 cm) to create a waistband.
- Cut Out Fabric:
- Fold your fabric in half, right sides facing each other.
- Pin the pattern piece to the fabric and cut around it, adding the necessary seam allowances.
- Sew the Pants:
- With right sides facing, sew the inseam of the pants from the ankle to the crotch using a straight stitch.
- Finish the seam allowances with a zigzag stitch or serger to prevent fraying.
- Turn one leg right side out and leave the other inside out.
- Create the Waistband:
- For the waistband, fold down the top edge of the pants fabric twice to create a casing for the waistband. Pin in place.
- Sew along the lower edge of the casing, leaving a small opening to insert elastic or a drawstring.
- Insert Elastic or Drawstring:
- Using a safety pin, thread an elastic band or drawstring through the waistband casing. Ensure it's snug but not too tight.
- Sew the ends of the elastic or drawstring together securely.
- Close the opening in the waistband casing.
- Hem the Pants:
- Fold the bottom edge of each pant leg twice to create a neat hem.
- Sew the hems in place.
- Finish the Pants:
- Press the pants with an iron to remove any wrinkles and create crisp seams.
Now, your wrap pants are ready to wear. Adjust the fit and length as needed for your preferences. Feel free to customize the fabric, add pockets, or embellishments to make your wrap pants unique.
