Saturday, June 13, 2009

Recycled T-Shirt Toddler Pants & Gauchos

T-shirt pants have been around forever right up there with pillowcase dresses. There are so many tutorials out there. I have a few friends who are just starting to sew so I thought I'd post my own tutorial with updated measurements and tweaks that I've incorporated into the PERFECT t-shirt pants. (disclaimer: perfect for me, maybe not so perfect for everyone else)


I call them "gauchos" now because as your child gets taller you'll find that you start to lose the length because t-shirts are only so big! These little pants/gauchos are so easy to make and have endless creative possibilities! My tutorial is at the bottom of this post and is easy to download and print! 

These were my favorites by far that I made when Sienna was a year old. I made them from one of my t-shirts that featured a cupcake on the front. I attached the cupcake portion using an applique technique on one of the pants legs before sewing the pants together (see my applique tutorial).


These cute little pants were made from a white undershirt and the detail was done using reverse applique. I made a matching t-shirt as well. You can see the detail of the pants here. My reverse applique tutorial  is easy to follow as well!


The pair below was made from a black Superman shirt. I cut out the Superman logo and sewed it onto one of the legs before I sewed the pants together.


These gauchos were made from an old Carolina Panthers t-shirt. I originally started making them for a friends son but the length wasn't long enough. They are now Sienna's lounge pants!


Sienna loves comfortable clothes!


A few tips:
1. If you are going to add applique or other detail, add it AFTER you cut the pants out but BEFORE you sew them.
2. Measure your child's inseam first and adjust the length of your pattern to match. You can make shorts, capris, pants.... endless possibilities!

Email me if you have any questions! I'm glad to help in anyway!

21 comments:

Elle's Mom said...

OMG! I am so going to try this!!!

Future Mama said...

Wow!! You are SO talented!! I'm not sure I can do that but now I know the possibility exists! Man, thanks so much for the awesome tip! And your little girl... too cute! Watch out! ;)

I found you via SITS by the way!

Debbie said...

Oh my gosh. That is a brilliant idea!
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!

Your cool friend Cheryl said...

Wow, you are the queen of re-purposing tshirts! I love it!

I'm so excited to try this...finally a cute "boy" project! I feel like all the cute projects out there are for dresses and ruffly things. This is great!

ella said...

those are awesome! thanks for visiting my blog :)
You can also make great gaucho pants (using the same technique) with bandanas. My kids would stop traffic in those when they were little.

kiddiescorner said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Those are cute I might have to try it!

Design it Chic said...

Oh these tiny clothes makes me smile big! I love the tutorials you're putting up here. I may try do some of them one day! Thanks for sharing!
Happy Sunday!

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Have I told you that you are amazing? Because you are AMAZING.

AB HOME INTERIORS said...

Im with Sienna, comfortable clothes, rock! popping in from SITS to leave ya' some bloggy lovin!

Jessica said...

These clothes are sooo cute!

Julie @ Joy's Hope said...

Linked your awesomeness today! http://www.joyshope.com/2009/06/stuff-i-want-to-make.html

threemoonbabies said...

I need to learn how to use a sewing machine!!!!

Sewing-Chick said...

I love to make t-shirt pants! Here are some I made. Your superman pants are especially cool!

Serena said...

These are adorable - I made a pair today and just posted it on my blog, linking back to you. www.naptimecrafting.blogspot.com

Angela Neil said...

You ROCK!

I just discovered this tutorial! LOVE it! Thanks so much for the helpful PDF download too! I've linked it from my newest post on my blog too!

I really need to get up the nerve to sew knit - all the great tutorials you have are a huge incentive for me to learn!

http://treasuresfortots.blogspot.com/2009/07/tutorials.html

Amy said...

saw these on nannygoat blog... love them! Will have to try this out! Thanks for the tutorial!

Missy said...

I saw these on nannygoat, too. Wow, are they cute! I may just have to give this a try. Both of my girls would love these!

Your cool friend Cheryl said...

I am now seriously addicted to making these! I linked to this tutorial after I made a bunch today.

Sonja Hoyle said...

I stumbled on your blog recently, after loving your posts on "One Pretty Thing". Anywho, these pants really intrigued me, and I thought, "hmmm, I wonder if my tall 4-year old (although wears size 6) would be too big. Well I'm happy to report "NO! She's not!" I modified your pattern somewhat and used a large t-shirt, and the capris are perfect!!! THANKS for such a great idea! I'm hooked! CHEERS -- Sonja

Kriss said...

Thank you so much for this tutorial! I was having a hard time finding pants to match a superman shirt I made for my son for Halloween. I was able to go buy a shirt in the same shade and make the pants to match his shirt. Great idea! -kriss

S Club Mama said...

oh my goodness this is so incredibly cute. I really wish I had a sewing machine!