Bella bella pants * added to downloads *

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8557.jpg
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/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.
-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.
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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/s...s/IMG_8412.jpg

Step 3: Spread out your sewn BACK, and copy the general shape onto tracing paper.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/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/s...s/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/s...s/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.
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http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8432.jpg

Step 7: Attach frills to the bottom of pant fronts and backs.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8436.jpg

Getting there....
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/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/s...s/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/s...s/IMG_8448.jpg

Step 11: Serge/sew bottom frill to the bottom of skirt panel.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8460.jpg

Step 12: Attach ruffles to skirt with 1/4" seam allowance.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8462.jpg

Step 13: Iron down ruffles on front and back (optional)
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/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/s...s/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/s...s/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/s...s/IMG_8491.jpg

Step 16: Trim BASTED ruffles to be even with skirt sides.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8497.jpg

Getting closer!
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8507.jpg

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/s...s/IMG_8514.jpg

All pinned
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/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/s...s/IMG_8532.jpg

Step 20: Sew inseam (watch that skirt again).
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/IMG_8537.jpg

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

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

Step 23: Serge or zig-zag elastic to waist.
http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s...s/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/s...s/IMG_8548.jpg

You are finished! :cheerful:

ahh need the tute already, lol

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.

AWesome job on the tutorial! TFS :)

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

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

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...

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

those are so cute! I love the fabric!

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

So cute-- thanks for sharing! :)

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

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 :(

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

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

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!!

great job, thanks for the tutorial

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

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

WOW~that was so awesome!! Thank you!

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.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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.

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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:

Beautiful and great tutorial :yes:

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