Toddler pants

Have started to go back through my collection of patterns and sewing books :)
While I don't actually have that many specifically for children (though I'm sure that will change) what I do have is the Kwik Sew book "Sewing For Toddlers", by Kerstin Maternsson.
Although a bit dated in styling and some of the fashions (I am guessing the cover was shout during the early 1990's?) this is a good book for basic patterns, such shorts, pyjama pants and t-shirts.
Also, as with most Kwik Sew products, the instructions are well written and easy to follow - a definite bonus when you are a sleep deprived mum!
As my sewing time is very limited at the moment I was looking for something quick and easy, that could provide almost instant gratification with not too much labour.
I decided to give the "knit pants" a go as Cooper really needed a couple of extra tracksuit type pants, that kids can sure go through pants!

The book comes with a master pattern sheet that you trace the pattern pieces off from, like Burda WOF but much clearer and easier to see. As the knit pants used only one (yes one!) pattern piece I was able to trace the pattern and cut out the fabric during one afternoon nap session (the kids not mine...sewing in my sleep would be a very handy skill to have though).

The fabric I used was a graffiti style knit that I brought at Rathdowne Fabrics during pregnancy (apologies for the photos they were taken very quickly) :

 I like that the colour scheme is a little bit different from the usual run of the mill boys clothing. Plus- with the way Cooper is climbing these days- the "trouble" text print is very apt ; )

Construction was very simple- I didn't even bother reading the instructions before sewing except to check out the seam allowance. If I had of bothered I would have realised that Kwik Sew has a slightly easier method of sewing pants than my "sew the inside leg seams, stick one leg inside the other and then sew the crutch seam". Their method has you sew the centre front and back seams together (fabric right sides together) and then you sew the inner leg seams in one continuous pass after that-  resulting in 2 seams to sew instead of 3.

Leg seams sewn.

Oh well with a project this simple I don't think it made too much of a time difference! Goes to show though that you should always read the instructions, never know when you might learn something new :)

As I was trying out my "new" vintage Princess sewing machine I kept the seams pretty simple, just a very narrow zigzag with a wider zigzag overcasting the edges:

Very basic and rough seams

Also no doubt Cooper with have grown out of these in no time so speed was a priority over aesthetics...

I did try the suggested method for applying the elastic, where you sew the elastic ends together to make a loop then fold the casing over it and sew as close to the elastic as possible. You end up with the elastic completely encased in the fabric and it eliminates the need for threading through afterwards.
I found it to be a bit of a fiddly process, using a zipper foot I tried to get as close to the elastic as possible but was worried about catching the elastic in the stitching the whole time and to tell the truth I don't think its any easier than sewing the casing and then threading the elastic.
Cuffs were just folded under and sewn with a zigzag stitch, with such a busy pattern I figured that you wouldn't be able to tell it wasn't straight stitch.

Finished pants

Cooper wore his new pants to playgroup for the first time the other day and I received some lovely comments from other mums on the pants. Now I just wish I had brought more of the fabric!!