Tutorial ~ Gathered Bloomers And Pillowcase Top

I am going to be throwing in a sewing tutorial on Mondays from the things I have made from pillow cases, I hope you don’t mind.  You will still see a Make it Monday post so no worries!

This outfit was made from two pillow cases that I picked up for 50 cents each.  A buck total.  Sweet.

The pink pillow case has delicate little dots on it that you can not see and the white has a fun detail along the bottom.  The pinks in both of them went perfect together so I used the pink in the yoke for the shirt and the bloomers.  So when you look at your pillow cases think outside the dress, there are lots of possibilities!

I would show you how I made the shirt, but it was a trial and error kind of thing.  It wasn’t hard, I just made a circle yoke and used the bottom part of the pillow case to make up the body.  If I make one again I will take some pictures.

The bloomers or knickers were super easy, and there was at least one of you that wanted to see how to make them so I have that tutorial today, lets get started:

Supplies:

• all your sewing stuff
• ½ to 1 inch elastic (I used ¾ inch)

Fabric Requirements:

This all depends on how long you want them.  I used half a pillow case for mine, but really you could make some short ones with a small piece of scrap fabric.

Measurements:

Waist size plus 4 inches then divide by 4.  Decide how long you want your knickers, then measure around that point.  So if you want the gather around the thigh measure there.  I chose below the knee, but I measured just above so that they could rise above her knee when she squats.   You will use this measurement twice, just keep it handy for the cuts.

Fabric Cuts:

If you are using a pillowcase just fold in half, if you are using fabric have two layers and then fold in half.  Take a pair of pants that fit well and fold in half.  Lay on the fabric so that the folds of the pant legs line up with the middle fold of the pillow case (not the side folds).  Keep in mind that you are only using the pants as a guide, your cuts will probably be wider than the pants you are using.

Your first cut will be across the top at the waist.  Make sure it is two inches above the guide (pants) and is the length of your first measurement.  Mine came in at 6 inches.

The second cut will be along the bottom where you want the length of the pant to end. Take your second measurement and minus 2.  Unless you want your legs fuller then just leave it at the original number.  My second measurement was 10 minus 2 =8.  So my second cut was 8 inches.

The third cut you are going to have to use your eyes, you may want to draw a line with a pencil first then cut!  Staring at the end point of your first cut, using the pants as a guide, cut an arch ending to the seat seam, and then down to the end point of your second cut.  The pants you are using are basically a guide for how long the seat in your pants needs to be, everything else will come from your measurements.  I hope that makes sense, if not leave a question in the comments.

The last cuts of fabric will be for the cuffs at the gathering.  Take your second measurement and add 1 ½ inches for the width and cut the length at 1 ½ inches.  So mine came in at 11 x 1 ½ inches.

Cut your elastic the length of your waist measurement.

Sewing:

You will use a seam allowance of 3/8 of an inch throughout and finish each seam with a zigzag or a serger.  Don’t forget to back stitch!

Take your two pieces and fold them right side in as shown.  Sew a straight stitch on the inside of the pant leg.

Now turn one right side out and leave the other right side in.

Tuck the right side out piece into the other, lining up the edges and seams like shown.

Now pull the inner leg seam over and this will give you a U shape.  Sew the two pieces together where shown in the picture.

Turn right side out and they should look like this.

Now sew a basting stitch around the bottom of the pant leg.

Take your strips and press in half.  Then fold them short end to short end forming a loop and sew the ends together.

Next with your pants still right side out, gather your pant legs to match the cuff.  It is easiest if you just gather it, slide the cuff right side in, over with the raw sides together and the inner leg seam and the seam on the cuff lined up, then loosen the gather to match.

Then sew around the raw edges and then finish with a zigzag.  Fold down the cuff and sew a top stitch right along the top of the cuff with the seam folded down to be caught in the stitch.

Now turn them right side in and fold the waist down a half inch and press and then fold over a little it bigger than your elastic and press.  Sew it up making sure to leave an inch to thread your elastic through.  Once you have your elastic threaded, overlap the elastic and inch and sew together using a zigzag.   Then stitch up the opening and do a vertical stitch over the elastic to keep it from rolling.

You’re done!

Here is a bum shot for you…

and a side shot.  So cute!  After you do one pair you will be able to whip them out in no time.

You can play with the measurements to make them more poofy, less poofy, or with no gather and a ruffle at the bottom.  Or make them for boys and just hem up the pant legs….just have fun with it.

Questions?  Leave them in the comments!

~Destri

Tagged as: children's clothing, girls, Summer Sewing Tutorials