Modifying pants to fit cloth diapers

 For those using cloth diapers finding pants that fit can be a bit of a challenge. I've already posted a few options for making pants. Here I show how I add a bit of room to an existing pair of pants. Note that m babe was around 8 or 9 months here and I think the pants were a size 2, so fitting big to start helps. They were designed to roll up the cuffs so that helped with the length.

The crotch got a bit tight though so I opened up the seem about 1.5" on either side of the centre seem, cut out a piece of matching stretch fabric in a soft diamond shape (about 1.5" wide) and sewed it in place. Not having a serger I just quickly added a zig-zag stitch along the edge to add to the strength of the seems. It looks a little messy on the inside (I rushed it a bit) but it looks quite nice on the outside.

For a little more pizazz you could also add a colored piece of fabric to the crotch insert as well.

Phat Shorts

Ok, so maybe my baby's got bootie. That's OK, he comes by it honestly (though not thanks to his parents). And as most of the mainstream baby outfitters don't seem to cater to chunky bums I got my sew on with my mum last week. These shorts are the result. I think they also speak to the fact that outside the box can be pretty fun. I got the fabric in the discount section at Dressew and the shorts influenced by funky loose Japanese children's fashion.


I used a typical 18 month shorts (for my 10 month babe) and added an extra inch side to side and on the top as well as several inches on the bottom. I also made the back pieces quite a bit scoopier to accommodate for rump + cloth diaper. I then sewed all four pieces together and folded down the top into a waistband. After threading the elastic through the waistband I stitched in the ditch to keep it in place. I also rolled back the cuffs and stitched them in place at the seems (inner and outer). Cosy, cute and versatile

Baby Jeans (to fit cloth diaper)

The Problem

Well, after investing in several pairs of cute little baby jeans I realized commercial jeans just don't quite work for my babe as he is a big boy and wears cloth diapers. I did find one loose-fitting European design that fit for a bit, but my babe just grows so darn quick that he was out of them in a month! I've noticed that jeans also tend to pull tight at the thighs when babies sit. I had thought about just giving up on jeans, but I do think they look pretty cute! Why not make some?

The Solution

So, having found a nice meter or so of denim from St. Vincent's thrift store last week, I decided to try my hand at making some jeans. I put some of the tight 12 month jeans I already had for my 7 month old baby (involved just a little stuffing) and got out my ruler to decide on the following specifications:
2" wider at hips (+ 1/2" seem allowance = 1.5" each side)
2" longer at the back of the crotch (See #1 from "a few things about pants" below)
1" longer at the front of the crotch
1" longer legs (+ 1" to create a hem with room for elastic)

The How

After taking my measurements I used the pants I had as a general pattern and modified according to the above specifications. Then, to make the jeans....

• I cut out a couple of pockets, added a couple of top stitches to the top of the pocket, and after sewing the crotch seems, added them to the back pockets, using a double stitch for fun (note #2 & #3 under things I learned...).
• I then sewed the sides of the pants together.
• I hemmed the bottom of the pants with a small opening to add elastic because I like longer pant legs with gathered hem for a baby- it looks cool and keeps the cuffs out of the way for playing.
• I made a waste band with a top stitch on both sides of the waistband to make it look a little more finished. Before adding the elastic I used a simple stitch to create faux pockets and fly. Added the waistband and did a little "stitch in the ditch to keep the waistband in place on either side (in navy thread) and voila!

Note, I've stolen my mum's serger for this project which makes beautiful edges but you can also sew a 1/4" from the edge with a straight stitch and add a zig zag stitch on the edge to finish and prevent fray

Here are a few things about sewing pants I learned from trial & error:

1. To make the back of the crotch higher than the front (needed because the bum is bigger than the crotch and because the fabric pulls down when a little person sits down) you can't just increase the height of the back panels, you need to increase the length of the curved part of the panel.*
2. If starting with sewing the crotch seems, careful not to mix up the trunk and the legs, as I did (and wondered why the heck my waist was so small and my legs so large!!! And causing me to resew the back patch!)
3. When adding bum pockets, line up the edges of the pockets with the outside edge of the panel (not the inside seem), which will put them at a bit of an angle to the inner seem.
4. Mustard coloured denim thread gives a great finish to jeans!
5. As mentioned in my previous tutorial on pants, No fold elastic is worth the extra buck!

*I tried increasing the overall height of the back panels as well as slightly increased the curved part but ended up having to trim the difference between the front and the back panels when I made the waistband.

Pants folded backwards....

(and pocket sewn on leg)

Can't have a project without a little seem-ripping! (I sewed this pocket three times)

Back of pants, inner crotch seem & pockets sewn

Front of jeans, inner & outer seems sewn

Waistband & leg hems in place

Note the double stitch on the pockets, and the top stitch top & bottom of waistband
(with temporary gap in waistband for elastic)

Faux pockets & fly for a little jazz

"Stitching in the Ditch" (with black matching thread) to keep waistband in place

front, finished

back, finished

Poofy Pants for Baby: Retrofit Dess Shirt to Harem Pants

Cloth diapers make for big bootie. And most conventional pants just don't quite work for that great big tush. Yesterday we had to change the baby into a disposable to fit into some pants to attend a friend's baptism.  Definitely time to get out the sewing machine. 

Thankfully custom pants are pretty easy to make though. I found this men's shirt at a church basement thrift shop Saturday. It didn't take much to modify it. I used a pair of pants I'd previously made and a looser cut pair of jeans to help figure these out. I decided for a two piece pants pattern rather than a typical four piece. This is easier to cut and I think it makes for a bit more "poof". 

This shirt is actually fine double layered muslin cotton (the kind that's so trendy for baby blankets right now). It made for a great two-tone look.

I cut from the middle of the shirt and folded over 3" just above the breast pocket for the waist band. I used the full width of the shirt from the shoulders. I basically just cut a square with a little upside-down "U" shape for the crotch. The bottom of the pants I hemmed backwards (hem out) as I knew I wanted to roll up the bottom. I could have doubled this seam up but I've got my mum's serger for a bit and so the seems were already finished. 

I've included a few other little tricks through the pics. Oh, one other thing to note, the longer the crotch the longer the legs should be because they get pulled up with the crotch when baby is in a seat that does up at the waist (i.e. stroller, carrier, or car seat). I just roll up the pants when he's not seated.

Irons are a good way to avoid pinning

Safety pin to thread the (no roll) elastic *

Trick I learned as a student, when sewing along a circle make sure you sew from the inside
(so the fabric comes up and over the back of the foot)

Looking a little like men's boxers, but still pretty sweet

Keep the mouse in the house!
Shirt pocket turned hip pocket

*I cheeped out on the elastic with the last pair of pants but learned it's worth the extra buck or two so the elastic doesn't roll inside the waistband.