My sweet daughter has become interested in sewing. I was so happy for her to decide to learn this art. My mom was a seamstress for probably sixty years, she sewed and made money for me when I was growing up. She recently passed away at age 96. She taught me so much about sewing and hobbies. Back to my sweet daughter. She decided to go shopping for material and a pattern and try to construct a pair of Capri Pants for her daughter. How hard could that be, right! She purchased a New Look pattern No.# 6689 and the required amount of material to make these pants. She worked yesterday and followed the directions located inside the pattern. Needless to say, her pants did not turn out. This caused me to take a look at the directions and I do not think that I could construct a pair of pants by these directions. So today, I went and bought the material needed for this and I will try and tell you how to make these pants.
Step One - Cutting Out
I am going to use pictures to help you understand the instructions better. In this picture you will see the layout for cutting out the Capri pants. You will notice that you will need to cut two for the front, the back and the ruffle.
Step Two - Marking Back and Front
I usually mark the back and front so that when I take the pattern away, I can tell. I cut a slit in the seam, one slit for the front and two for the back. You can also tell by the straddle, the back will be longer than the front. You may be more comfortable using a marking pen also.
Step Three - Your First Stitch
With the right sides together stitch a 5/8 inch seam for the crotch of the back and the front of the pants.
Step Four - Clipping the crotch
You will need to clip the seam on the curves of the crotch of the pants.
Step Five - Back and Front of Pants
Now you have the back and front of the pants.
Step Six - Sitching the Front and Back together
Now you will need to pin the front and the back of the pants together and stitch the side seams.
Step Seven - The Leg seams
Now you will need to pin the leg seam together as shown in the picture, then stitch the seam and clip the curve.
Step Eight - Elastic for waist
First you need to fold down 1/4 inch and press with an iron.
Next you will need to take out your front and back pattern piece and measure for the waist line line on the pattern and place a pin on your pants, fold down and hem on the machine as shown in the next picture.
Step Nine - Stiching the waist hem
When you are stiching the waist hem, you will need to leave an opening of about 1 to 1 1/2 inch for the elastic.
Step Ten - Inserting the Elastic
First you will need to measure your child's waist for the elastic. Cut your elastic to insert. I use a large safty pin to push my elastic through.
After you have pushed your elastic completely through, it should come out the other side.
Now you will need to stitch the elastic together as shown in the picture above.
Now you will need to close your waist hem and adjust your elastic in your waist.
After adjusting your waist, I always sew a square in the back of the waist so I can tell the back from the front. Remember the straddle will always be longer in the back.
Now if you do not want to add a ruffle to your Capri pants, you can just hem them now and your are finished.
Step Eleven - Ruffle
You should have cut two pieces for your ruffle. You will need to stitch the end together. Then you will need to cut a center notch in the ruffle for later use.
Then you will need to fold in half with the right sides on the outside as shown.
Step Twelve - Gathering the Ruffle
You will need to set your machine for a basting stitch or if you do not have this stitch setting you will just need to legnthen your stitch. You will need to sew two lines of stitching around your ruffle, but you will not need to meet the seam. I find it best to go from the seam and stop on the other side of the seam leaving about a 1/2 to 3/4 inch without stiching. Repeat on the other ruffle.
Now you will need to find two of the threads, I feel it is best to use the threads from the bobbin side of the stitch. Firmly grasp these threads and pull without breaking and slowly gather your ruffles. Just be careful not to break your threads. Continue to pull until you feel you have enough gathering for your ruffle. You really need it to be a little too gathered so that you can adjust this to the leg of your pants.
Step Thirteen - Attaching the Ruffle
Now you will need to pin the ruffle to the leg of your pants. You will need to line up the seam with the inside seam. You will need to line up your center notch with the outside seam. Then smooth your gathers to fit the leg of the pants.
Now you will need to change your stitch to regular stitching and sew the ruffle on the leg of your pants. It is best if you stitch just between your two lines of stitching for the basting. When you have stitched your ruffle on the pants you can turn the pants right side out and pull your basting out either with your hand of with a seam ripper.
Step Fourteen - The Finished Product
Enjoy!!!
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