DIY Kids Outdoor Pants
These DIY kids outdoor pants are perfect for keeping kids warm while playing outside in the fall and winter.
Where we live in New England, we enjoy brisk fall days and chilly (who are we kidding – COLD) winter days. We make these DIY outdoor pants in both flannel and fleece so we have increasing levels of warmth. If you are heading into winter, check out our cold-weather clothing essentials.
Using a pair of the kids’ leggings or sweatpants as a guide for the pattern, we make the outdoor pants wide so they fit easily and comfortably over whatever pants the kids are wearing as we head outside. Not only do they provide an extra layer of warmth, they also protect the kids’ everyday pants from dirt, stains, and scuffs. They are great for muddy play, gardening or anything that might get the kids’ everyday pants dirty. Wear them on a fall hike and add outdoor kid art into your hiking adventure.
Extend the outdoor pants’ life by leaving the elastic and hem long. Let out the waist and hem as the child grows.
When we run out of hem, we add length with a stripe of another fabric. For our last pairs of flannel pants, both kids grew so much we added a second stripe!
Looking for other sewing projects? Check out:
- Stuffed Animal Mermaid Tail
- Baby Blanket Lap Quilt
- Girl’s Tiered Skirt
- How to Attach a Tulle Skirt to a Girls Dress
Fabric Purchasing Tips For DIY Kids Outdoor Pants
When purchasing fabric, consider:
- fabric length is measured by the yard: 1 yard equals 36 inches
- fabric is sold in various widths, measured in inches, often 42″ for flannel and 58″ for fleece
- measure child (or child’s pants) from waist to hem – add 5″ to determine minimum fabric length to purchase
- fold pants used for pattern (“pattern pants”) in half, pull crotch out flat and measure the widest part. If measurement is less than 1/4 of the fabric width, both legs can be cut from a single width of fabric. If not, purchase double the fabric length.
- here’s an example: 1/4 of 42″ wide fabric is 10.5″ – if the widest part of the “pattern pants” is less than 10″, both legs can be cut from one width of fabric. If the widest part is more than 10″, purchase double the fabric length.
DIY Kids Outdoor Pants – Materials
Supplies:
- child’s leggings/sweat pants for pattern
- flannel or fleece (approximately 1/2 to 1 yard depending on pattern pant size)
- thread
- 3/4″ non-roll elastic (1″ longer than child’s waist)
- paper and pencil for pattern (optional)
Tools:
- ruler or tape measure
- sewing machine
- scissors
- sewing pins
- iron
How to Sew Kids Outdoor Pants
1. Cut Fabric for DIY Kids Outdoor Pants
Prewash and dry fabric.
Spread fabric flat in a single layer. Fold outer 1/4 into the center, with wrong sides together, so that fabric edges meet in the center.
Fold child’s leggings or sweatpants (the “pattern pants”) in half and smooth so the crotch lays flat.
Lay “pattern pants” on top of the folded fabric, with the side seam laying 2″ in from the folded edge. Using the “pattern pants” as a guide, mark cut lines with sewing pins as follows:
- add 1 1/2″ above the waistline
- add 1/2″ to the crotch seam
- add 2″ to bottom for hem
We like a wide leg on these DIY kids outdoor pants so they fit easily over a base layer and give plenty of room for movement. Here’s how we measure for the leg width:
- add 1″ to the top of the inseam where the crotch and inseams meet
- along the bottom hem, measure 8″ from the folded fabric edge; then place pins in a diagonal line up to the top of the inseam
Remove the “pattern pants” and cut around the outside of the pins, staying as close to the pins as possible. You’ve now cut the first leg.
Use that as a pattern for the second leg. Flip the piece so the side seams lines up with the folded edge – you will end up with mirror images. Above, we used white pattern paper to show the layout.
As an alternative, use the measurements above to create a pattern using craft paper or letter paper taped together.
2. Sew Two Crotch Seams on Kids Outdoor Pants
You will have two pieces, one for the right leg and one for the left.
Open each leg and lay one on top of the other with right sides together, lining up all seams. Pin along crotch seams (the curved seam).
Sew both crotch seams with straight stitch using 1/2″ seam allowance. Sew along seams with zigzag stitch to prevent raveling. Do not sew over pins when sewing with fleece or flannel.
Trim excess seam allowance, staying close to the zigzag line.
3. Sew Inseams
With right sides of fabric together, line up the crotch seams and pin along each inseam.
Starting at the bottom of one leg, sew up through the crotch and down to the other leg bottom, with one continuous seam. Sew with straight stitch using 1/2″ seam allowance. Finish with zigzag stitch, then trim excess.
4. Sew Casing for Waistband
The casing is the hollow channel at the waistband that holds the elastic.
Fold top raw edge of waist over 1/2″ so that wrong sides of fabric are together and iron. Fold over another 1″ and iron again. Pin to secure.
Sew a straight stitch along lower edge of casing, 1/8″ from the bottom of the fold. Leave a 3″ opening to insert the elastic and backstitch at each end.
Cut elastic 1″ longer than child’s waist.
Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed through the casing (the safety pin makes it easier to feed elastic through the casing). Remove safety pin. Overlap elastic ends by 1/2″ and secure with safety pin.
5. Try on Outdoor Pants and Adjust Elastic Waistband
Time for the first fitting. Fit pants on the child, adjust overlap on elastic (if needed) and re-secure with safety pin. Aim for a snug, but not tight, fit on the child’s waist, leaving enough give at the waist so a pair of pants will fit under the outdoor pants.
Sew elastic together forming a rectangle with an X through it.
Slip elastic into the casing and pull the waistband to evenly spread the elastic.
Close the opening by sewing along the 1/8″ seam allowance, making sure not to sew over the elastic.
6. Hem Legs on DIY Outdoor Flannel Pants
After finishing the waistband, try the pants on the child again to mark the hem. Leave the hem long so it can be let down as the child grows.
Turn up the hem all the way around the ankle at the desired length. Measure length of upturned hem.
Turn pants inside out and fold raw edge 1/2″ so that wrong sides of fabric are together. Iron. Fold up the remaining length of the hem and pin. If you are unsure if the measurement is correct, try on the pants again to check the hem.
Sew a straight stitch along the top of the turned fabric, 1/4″ from the top fold. Repeat on the other pant leg.
Sew initial into the back waistband if you have matching pants for more than one kiddo, or just for fun.
How to Involve Kids in Making Outdoor Pants
If your child is old enough to sew, work together through the steps. For younger kiddos, encourage them to select fabric, measure, thread the elastic through the casing and watch you sew. They will learn a TON about sewing just by watching and listening to you explain the process.
DIY Kids Outdoor Pants
Make these DIY kids outdoor pants to keep kids warm while playing outside.
Materials
- child’s leggings/sweat pants to use as pattern
- flannel or fleece (approximately 1/2 to 1 yard depending on pant size)
- thread
- 3/4" non-roll elastic (1" longer than child's waist)
- paper and pencil for pattern (optional)
Tools
- ruler or tape measure
- sewing machine
- scissors
- sewing pins
- iron
Instructions
- Prewash and dry fabric. Spread fabric flat in a single layer. Fold outer 1/4 into the center, with wrong sides together, so that fabric edges meet in the center.
- Fold child's leggings or sweatpants (the "pattern pants") in half and smooth so the crotch lays flat. Lay "pattern pants" on top of the folded fabric, with the side seam laying 2" in from the folded edge.
- Using the "pattern pants" as a guide, mark cut lines with sewing pins as follows:
- add 1 1/2" above the waistline
- add 1/2" to the crotch seam
- add 2" to bottom for hem - We like a wide leg on these DIY kids outdoor pants so they fit easily over a base layer and give plenty of room for movement. Here's how we measure for the leg width:
- add 1/2" to the top of the inseam where the crotch and inseams meet
- along the bottom hem, measure 8" from the folded fabric edge; then place pins in a diagonal line up to the top of the inseam - Remove the "pattern pants" and cut around the outside of the pins, staying as close to the pins as possible. Use this first leg as a pattern for the second leg. Flip the piece so the side seams lines up with the folded edge - you will end up with mirror images.
- You will have two pieces, one for the right leg and one for the left. Open each leg and lay one on top of the other with right sides together, lining up all seams. Pin along crotch seams (the curved seam). Sew both crotch seams with straight stitch using 1/2" seam allowance. Sew along seams with zigzag stitch to prevent raveling. Trim excess seam allowance, staying close to the zigzag line.
Do not sew over pins when sewing with fleece or flannel. - With right sides of fabric together, line up the crotch seams and pin along each inseam. Starting at the bottom of one leg, sew up through the crotch and down to the other leg bottom, with one continuous seam. Sew with straight stitch using 1/2" seam allowance. Finish with zigzag stitch, then trim excess.
- To sew elastic casing at waistband, fold top raw edge of waist over 1/2" so that wrong sides of fabric are together and iron. Fold over another 1" and iron again. Pin to secure.
- Sew a straight stitch along lower edge of casing, 1/8" from the bottom of the fold. Leave a 3" opening to insert the elastic and backstitch at each end.
- Cut elastic 1" longer than child's waist. Attach a safety pin to one end of the elastic and feed through the casing (the safety pin makes it easier to feed elastic through the casing). Remove safety pin. Overlap elastic ends by 1/2" and secure with safety pin.
- Fit pants on the child, adjust overlap on elastic (if needed) and re-secure with safety pin. Aim for a snug, but not tight, fit on the child's waist, leaving enough give at the waist so a pair of pants will fit under the outdoor pants.
- Sew elastic together forming a rectangle with an X through it. Slip elastic into the casing and pull the waistband to evenly spread the elastic.
- Close the opening by sewing along the 1/8" seam allowance, making sure not to sew over the elastic.
- After finishing the waistband, try the pants on the child again to mark the hem. Leave the hem long so it can be let down as the child grows.
- Turn up the hem all the way around the ankle at the desired length. Measure length of upturned hem.
- Turn pants inside out and fold raw edge 1/2" so that wrong sides of fabric are together. Iron. Fold up the remaining length of the hem and pin. If you are unsure if the measurement is correct, try on the pants again to check the hem.
- Sew a straight stitch along the top of the turned fabric, 1/4" from the top fold. Repeat on the other pant leg.
- Sew initial into the back waistband if you have matching pants for more than one kiddo, or just for fun.
Notes
When purchasing fabric, consider:
- fabric length is measured by the yard: 1 yard equals 36 inches
- fabric is sold in various widths, measured in inches, often 42" for flannel and 58" for fleece
- measure child (or child's pants) from waist to hem - add 5" to determine minimum fabric length to purchase
- fold pants used for pattern ("pattern pants") in half, pull out the crotch so it lays flat and measure the widest part of the pants. If that measurement is less than 1/4 of the fabric width, both legs can be cut from a single width of fabric. If not, you will need to purchase double the fabric length.
- here's an example: 1/4 of 42" wide fabric is 10.5" - if the widest part of the "pattern pants" is less than 10", both legs can be cut from one width of fabric. If the widest part is more than 10", purchase double the fabric length.
