Bella bella pants * added to downloads *

[sewingmel]

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8557.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8558.jpg
Items needed:
-pattern- My base pattern is otto 3/06 #23. If you don't have otto 3/06, you can order it from sewzannes (http://www.sewzannesfabrics .com/ottobre.html).
-fabric- I used 1 yd of main and 1 yd of contrast for size 86 (2T) pants. Expect to use about a yard of contrast. Refer to your pattern for the amount of main fabric needed.
-serger- All directions are given for a serger. There are ways to do this on a sewing machine, but they are not all explained in great detail.
-1/2" elastic
-tracing paper- I use Easy Pattern.
-other sewing supplies- I always find that a seam ripper is a good thing to have on hand.

Step 1: Cut out all pieces. For the pants, you will need 2 fronts and 2 backs cut from your main fabric. Also cut 5 rectangles the same length as your frills by the full width of the fabric. I cut 5 rectangles at 3.75" by 44 inches and my 4 frills from the contrast fabric.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8406.jpg

Step 2a: Sew up the center seam of the two front pieces right sides together. Put aside for now.
Step 2b: Sew up the center seam of the two back pieces (RST).
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8412.jpg

Step 3: Spread out your sewn BACK, and copy the general shape onto tracing paper.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8419.jpg

Step 4: Bump out the sides of the pattern keeping the waistline the same, and smooth the curve on the bottom of the skirt. Cut the pattern out on a fold to make sure the skirt is the same on both sides. Cut out skirt piece from main fabric.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8422.jpg

Step 5: Spend some quality time with your serger doing rolled hems on the bottom of all ruffles and frills. You could also do a narrow hem on all pieces if you do not have a serger or if you don't know how to do rolled hems on a sewing machine.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8429.jpg

Step 6: Ruffle the tops of all frills and ruffles. I did this on my serger by setting my stitch length at 5.0 and Diff at 2.0 (on my Husky 936). You could also baste and hand gather all ruffles.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8431.jpg

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8432.jpg

[sewingmel]

Step 7: Attach frills to the bottom of pant fronts and backs.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8436.jpg

Getting there....
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8438.jpg

Step 8: Draw out ruffle lines on your skirt pattern. I put the first ruffle line 1 inch down. The rest were 2.75" down from the first. Cheat the last one to match the curve of the bottom. See picture. Please remember that these measurements are for a size 2T. You will have to do some adjusting for a larger size.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8480.jpg

Step 9: Mark ruffle lines on fabric with washable fabric marker.

Step 10: Pin ruffles right sides together and upside down along each marked ruffle line. Top of skirt is at the bottom of picture.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8448.jpg

Step 11: Serge/sew bottom frill to the bottom of skirt panel.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8460.jpg

Step 12: Attach ruffles to skirt with 1/4" seam allowance.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8462.jpg

Step 13: Iron down ruffles on front and back (optional)
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8469.jpg
If you don't iron back, at least check it to make sure it isn't bunched up in the back.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8472.jpg

Step 14: Topstitch top 4 ruffles using 1/4" seam allowance. Don't topstitch bottom skirt frill.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8473.jpg

Step 15: Pin and baste side ruffles in place. Add a little extra fullness rather than pulling them tight.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8491.jpg

Step 16: Trim BASTED ruffles to be even with skirt sides.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8497.jpg

Getting closer!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8507.jpg

[sewingmel]

Step 17: Pin layers together in the following order.
Pants front right side up, skirt panel right side down, pants back right side down
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8514.jpg

All pinned
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8517.jpg

Step 18: Sew sides using 3/8" SA, check seams, then serge edges.

Step 19: Carefully pull the skirt out of the way, and pin the inseam of the pants together.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8532.jpg

Step 20: Sew inseam (watch that skirt again).
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8537.jpg

Step 21: Baste or sew skirt to back of pants with a 1/4" seam allowance.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8542.jpg

Step 22: Make elastic circle, mark center points, and attach to pants at center points.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8544.jpg

Step 23: Serge or zig-zag elastic to waist.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8547.jpg

Step 24: Topstitch elastic down at 3/8". If you lined everything up correctly, you should be able to sew over top ruffle stitching when using a 3/8" seam. Don't forget to add a tag and size tag to mark the back. My dh would put it on the baby backwards otherwise!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s181/shoepants/Bella%20pants/IMG_8548.jpg

You are finished! :cheerful:

[coveredbydesign]

ahh need the tute already, lol

[mummy_chelle]

Ohhhhhh so that's how you did it! Fabulously ingenious and wonderful tute. Thanks so very much for this. Hoping to make one this afternoon.

[Krista]

AWesome job on the tutorial! TFS :)

[SynEpona]

Those are excellent - and a great tute. Now I just need to find a little girl to make them for!

[Tonya]

Awesome, Mel! Thanks! I've started mine already and have started a different way but now I know how to finish them!

[rjalmom]

Cute! Too bad I didn't have it about five years ago... I don't know that my seven year old would wear it..... I do have a friend that's got a baby turning a year old in May...

[TracyNoelle]

Have mercy woman! You are so patient to have made directions for this! Awesome job!

[JAMmama]

those are so cute! I love the fabric!

[myprecious4]

Thank you so much for this! I can't wait to give it a try!!

[Becci]

So cute-- thanks for sharing! :)

[palepink]

Great job with the tute. Thank you for sharing your pattern. I think my 2yo will look adorable in these.

[Mamaof3]

They are SO cute and what an awesome tutorial !!
Sadly, I don't think my 3 year old, going on 17 will appreciate the ruffles :(

[Mary Beth]

Gorgeous! I think I'll have to make a pair of these for my dd for her 1st birthday next month!

[Voladiotisa]

I love this!!! I have to make them for my girls!!! Cant wait! Thank you so much for this tute!!!

[SewMeSane]

I have seen these is clothing mail order cateloques for $150+. . .thanks for all the info. . .planned on making some and now you have saved me some time and some fabric! Thanks again for the wonderful post!!

[donat]

great job, thanks for the tutorial

[shannonmamato4]

These are so cute, I love the tute, I am going to try making a pair for one of my nieces.

[mommytomaddyharley]

I love these and am going to make them this spring so thought I'd give this the bump up!!! TFS Mel!

[Island~mom]

WOW~that was so awesome!! Thank you!

[Trixi]

So- if I have a shorts pattern that fits my child, I can use the rest of the tute to alter it? My dd is a bit larger than the Otto pattern.

[sewingmel]

So- if I have a shorts pattern that fits my child, I can use the rest of the tute to alter it? My dd is a bit larger than the Otto pattern.

As long as it is a pants/shorts pattern that has a front and back (not a single pattern piece with front and back in one piece), then you can use it. If your pattern does not have a frill or flounce, you can either guesstimate a curved piece, or you can use a rectangle for the bottom ruffle.

I can't wait to see how people use this tutorial! :cheerful:

[shelle007]

Beautiful and great tutorial :yes:

[sames5]

Very fun and cute. Although, I'm a bit itimidated. Maybe not for my 1st project.